(Reuters) – Resort and on line casino operator Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ:) mentioned on Friday it had been awarded the primary industrial gaming operator’s license within the United Arab Emirates by the nation’s Common Industrial Gaming Regulatory Authority.

The Las Vegas-based on line casino agency mentioned it was growing a luxurious resort at Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.

The venture, underneath development, is a three way partnership between associates of Wynn Resorts, Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding, Wynn mentioned.

Ras Al Khaimah’s authorities communications workplace, RAKTDA, and RAK Hospitality Holding didn’t instantly reply to Reuters requests for remark.

The UAE final month set up a federal entity to manage playing and employed veterans of the U.S. trade to steer it, ending years of hypothesis whether or not the nation would permit playing – unlawful throughout the conservative Gulf area.

The strikes to permit playing are in opposition to a backdrop of intensifying financial competitors within the Gulf, particularly with Saudi Arabia. The UAE final month launched a raft of liberal authorized reforms because it tries to take care of its edge because the area’s commerce, tourism and monetary hub.