Las Vegas casino operators are on alert after Iranian retaliatory strikes reached the United Arab Emirates, where multibillion-dollar resort projects backed by U.S. companies are under construction.
According to a report by The Nevada Independent, Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International said they are closely monitoring developments in the Middle Eastern country after drones and missiles launched by Iran struck parts of Dubai over the weekend. The attacks followed joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, widening a conflict that has unsettled markets and travel across the Middle East.
The report said the two project sites linked to the companies were not hit. However, damage was reported at hotels and infrastructure in Dubai, including areas near Dubai International Airport. Staff working on the developments have been instructed to follow local authority guidance, with both companies maintaining regular contact with employees on the ground.
Earlier, the U.S. State Department urged American citizens in 14 Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, to leave using commercial transport due to escalating security risks. Regional governments have also issued travel warnings, and several airlines have suspended or rerouted flights as tensions rise.
UAE gaming ambitions face geopolitical test
Wynn is developing the $5.1 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah, a project set to include the UAE’s first legal casino when it opens in 2027. The integrated resort forms part of the company’s strategy to diversify beyond its core markets in the United States and Macau, with a focus on wealth hubs across the U.S., China and parts of the Middle East.
The 70-storey hotel tower was topped off in December and will include 1,550 rooms and suites, beachfront villas, more than 20 dining venues and extensive retail and meeting space. The resort is located around 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport on a man-made island designed to boost tourism in the emirate.
MGM is separately developing a $1.2 billion non-gaming resort in partnership with Wasl Asset Management Group on Jumeirah Beach in Dubai. The 25-acre project will feature three hotel towers operating under the Aria, MGM Grand and Bellagio brands. A large space within the development has been earmarked for either a casino or a retail complex, depending on regulatory direction.
The UAE established a federal gaming regulator to oversee a national lottery and commercial gaming framework. Former MGM chairman Jim Murren now chairs the authority, underscoring the close links between Las Vegas expertise and the UAE’s emerging sector.
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation Recommends Remote Work for the Private Sector and Advises Against Workers’ Presence in Open Areas pic.twitter.com/NMuEjPNWjT
— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) March 1, 2026
Regional conflict escalates
According to updates reported by Al Jazeera, Israeli forces have continued attacks on Tehran and Beirut, including a strike on Iranian state media facilities.
The U.S. has indicated that military operations against Iran could continue for several weeks, while Iranian officials have rejected suggestions of immediate negotiations, arguing that the country is under direct attack. There have also been reports of disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for global energy supplies.
The Nevada Independent also reported that shares in both Wynn and MGM fell in U.S. trading following the weekend escalation.
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