MGM Resorts International announced the retirement of Corey Sanders, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, planned for late 2025 after more than 30 years with the company.
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Dubai delays MGM casino approval despite resort progress
Despite ongoing construction of the $2.5 billion project, Dubai is keeping MGM Resorts in suspense over whether its highly anticipated beachfront resort will be allowed to include a casino.
The resort is being built on a 10-hectare artificial island near Jumeirah Beach and the Burj Al Arab. Once Dubai gives the green light, the resort will house not only three of MGM’s hotel brands but also a casino.
MGM Resorts applied for the UAE license back in 2024. DMGM’s CEO, Bill Hornbuckle, said the company remains fully committed to the development but admitted he was surprised by the delay.
Hornbuckle stated:
“I thought by now, Abu Dhabi would have ruled on what they were doing. There’s a lot of dialogue around that. MGM and its joint venture partner, government-owned developer Wasl, were ‘waiting for the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, to say, “Go ahead.”’
Originally planned for a 2027 opening, the resort now isn’t expected to fully launch until the second half of 2028.
Dubai isn’t the only emirate exploring casinos. Recently, Wynn Resorts reserved land for a second UAE resort, after becoming the first to secure the UAE license.
MGM Resorts International reported a 2% year-over-year revenue increase to $4.4 billion in Q2, 2025, with strong performance from MGM China.However, MGM's net income...
