@@ -1,1 +1,1 @@ - +New Year's Eve fireworks over Ras al-Khaimah on January 1, 2021 -- UAE authorities have for years denied reports that the county is to lift an Arabian Gulf-wide ban on gambling<br> <br>A US-based casino operator on Tuesday announced plans to develop a multi-billion-dollar resort off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a Muslim state in the Gulf where gambling is prohibited.<br> <br>Wynn Resorts, along with UAE property developer Marjan, said in a statement that an "integrated resort", including "gaming facilities", will be set up on Al-Marjan island in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah.<br> <br>Ras al-Khaimah is one of the seven members of the UAE, which includes the city state of Dubai.<br> <br>Tuesday's announcement comes as the Ras al-Khaimah tourism development authority (RAKTDA) said it formed a new division focused on the regulation of integrated resorts.<br> <br>"These include hotel operations, convention space, entertainment, restaurants and lounges, spa, retail and gaming facilities," it said in a statement.<br> <br>"The foremost priority of this new division is to create a robust framework that will ensure responsible gaming at all levels."<br> <br>However, it did not clarify whether "gaming" refers to gambling, and both RAKTDA and Marjan did not respond to requests for comment.<br> <br>The planned resort in Ras al-Khaimah will include more than 1,000 hotel rooms, meeting and convention facilities, restaurants, a spa, and a gaming area.<br> <br>It is scheduled to be completed in 2026.<br> Wynn Las Vegas is among the US-based casino operator's resorts<br> <br>UAE authorities have for years denied reports that the country which neighbours Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, is to lift an Arabian Gulf-wide ban on gambling.<br> <br>In 2020, the UAE revamped an array of laws in a social liberalisation drive designed to burnish its brand.<br> <br>These included lifting a ban on unmarried couples living together, loosening restrictions on alcohol, and offering long-term residencies.<br> <br>The country has this year moved to a Western-style Saturday-Sunday weekend, in what experts said was an attempt to maintain its edge over regional competitors, particularly Saudi Arabia.<br> <br>The Emirates became the only Gulf country not to observe weekends on a Friday, the Muslim day of prayer, and Saturday.<br> <br>Foreigners in the UAE make up 90 percent of its 10-million population.<br><br><br><br><br>If you have any kind of inquiries concerning exactly where and how you can utilize [https://rankthai.com/online-casino-direct/ เว็บตรงไม่ผ่านเอเย่นต์], you possibly can e mail us from our web-page.