It is anticipated that this year, the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAB) will take legalization of casino resorts into consideration through the recently established General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The project has little support from the general public.
Casino support was determined to be weak in a recent poll by "Dubai Casinos," a media outlet that focuses on the possible legalization of gambling.
Only 29% of the 3,000 respondents to the survey said they were in favor of opening casinos in the nation. More than 42% expressed their disapproval of the casino proposals.
"The majority of participants expressed opposition to the idea of legal casinos in Dubai, citing concerns about the potential clash between Emirati culture and the gambling scene,” researchers said.
Four casinos could be developed in or near Dubai, according to the GCGRA, which is led by Jim Murren, the former chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International.
The likelihood is that Wynn Resorts will be the first licensed operator if gambling is introduced to the area. On Al Marjan Island, which is located in the Persian Gulf around 30 miles north of Dubai, Wynn plans to build a $4 billion resort shortly.
The project, which is mostly being funded by local companies Marjan LLC and RAK Hospitality Holing, has Wynn as a minority partner.Al Marjan Island is a collection of artificial islands in Al Jazirah Al Hamra that resembles coral.
Gambling is Still Not Allowed
As it has been since the UAE's independence from the UK in 1971, gambling is still forbidden in Dubai and the rest of the country.
The UAE is one of the richest countries in the world, and many of its residents want to keep it that way. Some believe casinos would poach wealth from the public.
Gambling also goes against Islam, the UAE’s official religion.
"Intoxicants, gambling, idolatry, and divination are abominations of Satan’s doing. Avoid them, so that you may prosper,” chapter 5 of the Quran reads. “Satan wants to provoke strife and hatred among you through intoxicants and gambling, and to prevent you from the remembrance of God, and from prayer. Will you not desist?”
Almost half of those surveyed predicted that casinos would lead to gambling addiction, and nearly 40% predicted that they would have a detrimental effect on the local way of life.
60% of the 3,000 respondents live in Dubai, and 78% of them said they are Emiratis. Over 10,000 UAE citizens received the poll from Dubai Casinos. However, many choose not to respond out of anxiety about sharing their thoughts in public.
Corresponding Results
The survey revealed that most respondents thought casinos could boost the local economy, despite the poll's minority support for legalizing casinos.
Almost 60% of respondents agreed that casinos may increase travel and bring in additional tax money for government initiatives. One-third of those polled proposed restricting gambling in UAE casinos to foreigners solely.
Four out of ten respondents stated that the government ought to start an awareness and education campaign for the general public if it proceeds with casinos. That would educate people about the dangers of playing table games and slots.