Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International say their UAE developments have not been damaged, but both companies are reviewing security conditions and staying in close contact with staff as tensions rise.
Drone and Missile Activity Disrupts Dubai
The escalation followed weekend airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, after which Iran launched drone and missile attacks across several Middle Eastern locations. Two projectiles reportedly struck areas in Dubai, damaging multiple hotels and affecting operations at Dubai International Airport.
Reports cited by the Nevada Independent, referencing the BBC, said an explosion hit the Fairmont The Palm on Palm Jumeirah. Separately, debris from an intercepted drone was reported to have caused a minor fire on the outer facade of the Burj Al Arab.
Wynn Says It’s Monitoring Conditions
A Wynn Resorts spokesperson said the company is closely tracking the situation and has safety plans ready if conditions worsen. Wynn did not disclose how many U.S. citizens are working on its UAE development.
Asked whether the conflict could affect construction timelines for Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, the company repeated that it is monitoring developments and has employee security measures in place if needed.
MGM: Employees Safe, Sheltering in Place
MGM Resorts also addressed the security picture, with spokesman Brian Ahern saying the company does not currently employ any American citizens on its UAE project. He added that employees are safe and sheltering in place per local guidance, with the company maintaining regular check-ins.
Debris from an intercepted drone also fell in a residential area of Ras Al Khaimah, while Dubai—less than 90 minutes away by road—has faced drone and missile activity in recent days. Bahrain and Kuwait were also among Gulf states reportedly targeted.
Governments Issue Advisories
Governments outside the region have begun updating guidance as the situation develops. The U.S. State Department urged Americans in 14 Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, to leave immediately using commercial transportation due to escalating safety risks. The United Kingdom has reportedly asked British nationals in Dubai to register with authorities in preparation for possible evacuation measures.
Major UAE Resort Projects Remain Underway
Wynn is building the $5.1 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah, about 50 minutes from Dubai International Airport. The property is expected to introduce the UAE’s first legal casino when it opens in spring 2027. Wynn holds a 40% equity stake and is developing the resort with local partners.
In early December, Wynn said it had spent or fully committed $3.4 billion of the budget—roughly two-thirds of total projected costs. The 70-floor hotel tower topped out in December. Current plans include 1,550 accommodations, 22 restaurants and lounges, meeting space, and retail.
MGM Resorts is partnered with Wasl Asset Management Group on a separate $1.2 billion development on Jumeirah Beach in Dubai. The 25-acre project will include three hotel towers with roughly 1,500 rooms under the Aria, MGM Grand, and Bellagio brands. While it is currently positioned as a non-gaming resort, MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle has said the site includes nearly 200,000 square feet that could later be used for a casino or a retail complex.
Market Reaction and Broader Risk
Wynn shares fell $4.75 to close at $103.44, while MGM stock dropped $1.14 to finish at $35.72, reflecting investor unease after the strikes.
Wynn has previously warned that its business can be highly sensitive to disruptions in travel and consumer willingness to visit resort destinations, with regional conflict and threats of violence capable of affecting revenue and operating performance.
Separately, CBRE Institutional Research estimated two years ago that a regulated UAE gaming market could generate up to $8.6 billion in annual revenue, a figure that would put it near the scale of the Las Vegas Strip’s projected 2025 total.
For now, both Wynn and MGM say construction continues, even as the security outlook across the Gulf remains unsettled.
