Wynn Resorts has just announced its latest acquisition, Crown London. This can be seen as a gateway to attract both British and Indian tourists to the upcoming UAE mega-project, Wynn Al Marjan Island, in Ras Al Khaimah
This high-end members-only club and casino, formerly known as London Aspinalls, is considered a strategic move by the company, specifically designed to strengthen Wynn’s foothold in key international markets; most prominently, in the UAE.
A Strategic Plan for High-End Customers
With just 20 gaming tables, Crown London is far smaller than Wynn’s flagship resorts in Las Vegas or Macau. However, its reputation for catering for mega-wealthy VIPs, especially from UK, India, and the Middle East, makes this a valuable asset for Wynn’s global expansion.
“This acquisition of an iconic asset offers us a presence in a global gateway city and will create a conduit for Wynn guests to visit our resorts,” said Craig Billings, CEO of Wynn Resorts.
John DeCree of CBRE echoed this sentiment, calling the acquisition “small but strategically significant.” He highlighted that Crown London’s elite clientele, which includes Bollywood celebrities and other high-profile figures, is a unique draw.
Tapping into The Indian and British Markets
India and the UK are crucial markets for the UAE’s growing luxury tourism sector – and land-based casinos are at the very heart of that sector. For this reason, Wynn Resorts is making hay to take full advantage of it. Bollywood-themed events at Crown London have already proven popular with Indian VIPs, and Billings has stressed the importance of India as a key market.
With Indian tourism to the UAE surging in recent years, the acquisition of Crown London will now provide Wynn Resorts with a direct network to this growing demographic.
Wynn Al Marjan Island: A Middle Eastern Landmark
Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah is set to become the UAE’s first integrated resort that offers a land-based casino with actual gaming facilities. In fact, the 2023-founded GCGRA has already promised a license to the first-ever legal land casino to operate in the country,
The $3.9 billion project, scheduled to open in 2027, will feature a luxury hotel, a huge casino, and world-class entertainment venues.
UAE’s welcoming stance toward diversified tourism is proving itself lucrative. Wynn’s new property will ride this new wave to attract even more high-net-worth individuals from Europe, India, and the Middle East, transforming the region’s tourism landscape into a luxury destination.
