Description
The Caesars Palace Casino project in Dubai was discarded by the developers.
Caesars Palace Leaves Dubai: Missed Chance or Calculated Move?
In a turn of events that few anticipated, Caesars Palace has officially exited the Dubai market — just as the UAE begins laying the legislative foundation for legalized gambling. Long considered a front-runner for one of the region’s first potential casino licenses, the iconic Las Vegas brand has stepped away, handing its Dubai resort over to the luxury hospitality group Banyan Tree.
Through its research across international media, the Dubai Casino Directory found that Caesars had been active in Dubai since 2018, strategically positioning itself to benefit from future changes in gambling legislation. Yet, just as the UAE begins making concrete moves toward regulation, Caesars’ abrupt exit is drawing attention and raising questions.
Caesars Palace Casino Dubai
From Ambition to Exit: What Happened?
Caesars Palace didn’t enter Dubai on a whim. The move was strategic, aimed at being ready should gambling laws ever change. The lavish resort on Bluewaters Island was not just a business venture—it was a calculated bet on the future of gaming in the Gulf.
In 2023, momentum began building. The UAE announced the creation of a federal gaming authority, and Ras Al Khaimah—a neighboring emirate—greenlit a $3.9 billion integrated resort project with a casino at its core. Industry watchers assumed Caesars would seize this moment. Instead, the brand bowed out.
Their quiet retreat has sparked speculation. Why leave just as the region appears to be opening its doors to a gambling economy?
Caesars’ Silence, Competitors' Bold Moves
Caesars Entertainment has remained tight-lipped about its reasons for exiting. Back in 2022, CEO Tom Reeg conveyed a message of confidence to investors:
“If there’s an opportunity, you should expect us to be active — our brand and our building are already in place.”
But with no concrete developments in Dubai, that statement now feels like a vision that never came to life.
Meanwhile, Wynn Resorts is making headlines as it advances its Ras Al Khaimah project, reportedly with strong backing from the country’s newly formed gaming regulator. The contrast in direction suggests Caesars may have reassessed Dubai’s potential compared to emerging hotspots elsewhere in the Emirates.
It’s also not the first time Caesars has retreated from a promising yet complex market. In the early 2000s, the company made a similar gamble in Macau by acquiring a golf property, only to exit in 2013 after failing to secure a casino license—at a financial loss.
A New Chapter: From Casino Dreams to Wellness Luxury
The property once marketed as Caesars Palace Dubai is being fully rebranded and revamped under the Banyan Tree name. This transformation is part of a broader collaboration with Accor and Dubai Holding.
In a public announcement, Banyan Tree detailed its plans:
“The former Caesars Palace Dubai will be reborn as Banyan Tree Dubai. Following phased upgrades, the resort will include 179 rooms, 30 luxury suites, and a new four-bedroom beachfront villa with private pool and entrance. The reopening is scheduled for late 2023, offering Banyan Tree’s signature Asian-inspired elegance in the heart of Dubai.”
Notably absent from the release was any mention of gambling, casinos, or gaming-related amenities.
Is Banyan Tree Eyeing the Casino Sector?
Though traditionally rooted in wellness and luxury, Banyan Tree may be quietly expanding its scope. In late 2023, the Soloviev Group announced a partnership with the brand to develop a hotel and casino project near the United Nations in New York City.
If realized, this would mark Banyan Tree’s U.S. debut and its first formal venture into the casino world. For a hospitality brand known more for serenity than slot machines, the move suggests a subtle but significant strategic shift.
Could a similar future be in store for the Dubai property? At present, no gaming license has been issued, and there are no confirmed plans for a casino. Yet, with regulatory discussions accelerating in the UAE, the rebranded resort may eventually find itself at the center of Dubai’s gaming conversation.
Looking Ahead: A Door Closed or One Ajar?
Caesars Palace’s withdrawal from Dubai represents more than a name change — it signals a recalibration of strategy in a market on the cusp of transformation. Whether Caesars acted too cautiously or simply too soon remains to be seen.
What’s clear is that the Emirates are moving, however slowly, toward embracing regulated gambling, and global brands are circling in anticipation.
While Caesars may have left the table, Banyan Tree has just taken its seat. Whether the cards will favor them in the long run is a story yet to unfold.
