• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Tuesday 2 September 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

Bill Hornbuckle: MGM Resorts eyeing both Dubai and Abu Dhabi for potential UAE casino development

Ben Blaschke by Ben Blaschke
Mon 18 Mar 2024 at 05:10
Bill Hornbuckle: MGM Resorts eyeing both Dubai and Abu Dhabi for potential UAE casino development

Abu Dhabi

134
SHARES
3.3k
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

MGM Resorts CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle says the company could pursue a casino gaming license in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi should a new decree that would legalize many forms of gambling be passed.

While MGM is already involved in a substantial development in Dubai that will be home to three MGM Resorts-owned hotel brands – MGM, Bellagio and Aria – Hornbuckle told investors during an appearance at the J.P. Morgan Gaming, Lodging, Restaurant & Leisure Management Access Forum on Friday (Asia time) that Abu Dhabi was also on the company’s radar, depending on which emirates opt to welcome a gaming-led development. MGM’s Dubai development has a 150,000-square foot space set aside for future gaming purposes.

“I think [the UAE] will start with lottery and go into digital gaming, and probably the actual first [casino] license will be issued in Abu Dhabi, followed potentially by what’s happening with Wynn in Ras Al Khaimah,” Hornbuckle said.

“Then we would hope either through an opportunity in Abu Dhabi or in Dubai, we will go after one – recognizing that the ruler, the leader in each emirate has to approve it. That is how that works.”

Hornbuckle also expects to know more about where MGM’s middle east future lies within “months, not years” given the apparent pace of progress. According to the MGM supremo, the recently established General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) – headed by former MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren and tasked with introducing a regulatory framework for commercial gaming and a national lottery – has “several dozen people moving and acting as if they are going forward” with the potential for considerable progress post-Ramadan.

““We’ve been on the ground there for over a year-and-a-half and we think we know who the development partner is – the government will appoint that development partner,” Hornbuckle said. “They’ve reached out to us and asked for proposals. We’re in the process for that as I’m sure others are as we speak.

“I think they will go quick in identifying a partner: months not years, like this coming summer. Ultimately we will go forward – assuming that the decree happens and the regulations come out – very quickly from there.”

Separately, Hornbuckle said MGM Resorts was maintaining a close eye on New York, where the company hopes to win a full license for its existing Yonkers casino, and in Thailand where it has various government relations and development staff already on the ground.

“Thailand is new, it’s early days,” he said. “The real question for all of us will be whether the regulatory regime is at a high enough level that it holds mustard and will the government participate in the proper way going forward.

“We’re like everyone – there’s a host of the usual characters poking around, looking for sites and looking for partners.”

RelatedPosts

Jeju Dream Tower casino sales down 7.4% in March

Korea’s Jeju Dream Tower stretches run of consecutive volume and visitation growth to seven months as September hits record highs

Tue 2 Sep 2025 at 05:20
SunTrust becomes listed tourism business as Suncity releases first renderings of Manila hotel and casino project

Suntrust confirms “strategic working agreement” with Travellers entities to cede construction, operational control of Manila casino project

Mon 1 Sep 2025 at 13:08
China’s largest travel agency discussing agreement with Korea Tourism Organization

South Korea’s gaming and tourism industries call for overhaul of regulatory framework amid rising regional competition

Mon 1 Sep 2025 at 05:34
Australia’s Star Entertainment Group says available cash halved in December 2024 quarter as liquidity crunch bites again

Star Entertainment Group falls to AU$471.5 million loss in FY25 as remediation, regulatory hurdles continue to bite

Fri 29 Aug 2025 at 07:38
Load More
Tags: Abu DhabiBill HornbucklecasinoDubaiGamingMGM ResortsUnited Arab Emirates
Share54Share9
Ben Blaschke

Ben Blaschke

A former sports journalist in Sydney, Australia, Ben has been Managing Editor of Inside Asian Gaming since early 2016. He played a leading role in developing and launching IAG Breakfast Briefing in April 2017 and oversees as well as being a key contributor to all of IAG’s editorial pursuits.

Current Issue

Editorial – Flipping the script

Editorial – Flipping the script

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:30

This month represents an important milestone for Inside Asian Gaming as we launch IAG EXPO – an expansion of the...

Asia market roundup

Asia market roundup

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:26

Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the state of Asia-Pacific’s key gaming markets: who’s hot, who’s not and...

Rewriting the rules

Rewriting the rules

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:43

IAG EXPO, taking place at Newport World Resorts from 8 to 10 September, is not your usual trade show. IAG...

Test of character

Test of character

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:28

Since its establishment in 1989, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has developed into the world’s most trusted name when it comes...

Evolution Asia
Your browser does not support HTML5 video.
Aristocrat
GLI
Nustar
SABA
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
NWR

Related Posts

FMCC to celebrate cultural exchange, expand charitable support via annual gala dinner at MGM Macau on 19 September

FMCC to celebrate cultural exchange, expand charitable support via annual gala dinner at MGM Macau on 19 September

by Pierce Chan
Tue 2 Sep 2025 at 18:15

The France Macau Chamber of Commerce (FMCC) will host its annual charity gala dinner at MGM Macau on 19 September, with this year’s theme of “Voyage on the Seine” symbolizing the cultural exchange and sustainable development between France and Macau....

Macau’s Legislative Assembly discussing new tour guide law proposing higher penalties for unlicensed guides

Macau GGR tipped to continue positive momentum in September and beyond

by Ben Blaschke
Tue 2 Sep 2025 at 11:39

Macau’s gross gaming revenue generation should maintain its recent strength in the coming months, including a forecast 13% year-on-year increase in September, according to industry analysts. Following confirmation on Monday that August GGR had again set a new post-pandemic record...

Jeju Dream Tower casino sales down 7.4% in March

Korea’s Jeju Dream Tower stretches run of consecutive volume and visitation growth to seven months as September hits record highs

by Newsdesk
Tue 2 Sep 2025 at 05:20

Korea’s Jeju Dream Tower registered another all-time record in casino drop and visitation in August, stretching its run of consecutive growth to seven months. According to information from the property’s parent company Lotte Tour, August visitation reached 57,042 – up...

Editorial – Beware the Lion King

Macau’s Galaxy Entertainment Group opens new office in Singapore

by Pierce Chan
Tue 2 Sep 2025 at 05:05

Macau’s Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) has announced the opening of a new office in Singapore, which it says aims to support tourism and MICE-related enquiries from customers. Located in the heart of Singapore’s central business district, GEG said the office...

Your browser does not support the video tag.


IAG

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • 中文

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • 中文
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • 中文
  • English