United Arab Emirates Residents Not Gung-Ho About Legal Casinos

The United Arab Emirates (UAB) government, through its recently formed General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), is expected this year to consider legalizing casino resorts. Not much of the general public is supportive of the undertaking.

A new , a media outlet focused on the potential liberalization of gambling, found lackluster backing for casinos.

Among 3,000 respondents, the probe found that just 29% support bringing casinos to the country. Over 42% said they are opposed to the casino talks.

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.

The GCGRA, headed by former MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO , has suggested allowing four casinos to be built in or around Dubai.

Should gaming come to the region, the odds favor Wynn Resorts being the first licensed operator. Wynn on a $4 billion resort on Al Marjan Island, about 30 miles north of Dubai in the Persian Gulf.

Wynn is a minority partner in the project, which is primarily being bankrolled by local firms Marjan LLC and RAK Hospitality Holing. is a coral-shaped group of man-made islands in Al Jazirah Al Hamra.

Gambling remains prohibited in , as it has since the country gained its independence from the UK in 1971.

The 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?

Nearly half of those polled said casinos would also result in gambling addiction, and almost 40% said casinos would negatively impact the local culture.

Of the 3,000 people polled, 60% live in Dubai, and 78% identified as Emiratis. Dubai Casinos sent the survey to more than 10K UAE residents. But many declined to answer over fears about voicing their opinions publicly.

Though the poll found minority support for legalizing casinos, the study did relay that a majority believe casinos could have a positive impact on the local economy.

Nearly 60% said they agree that casinos could grow tourism and generate new tax revenue for government programs. A third of those surveyed suggested that only foreigners be allowed to gamble at UAE casinos.

About four in 10 respondents said if the government moves forward with casinos, it should embark on a public awareness and education campaign. That would inform the public of the risks associated with slot machines and table games.