Entertainment and Gaming in Ras Al Khaimah, new Department has been Created. The Department will be Responsible for a Range of Issues

It was recently announced that a new department will soon begin operating in the Ras Al Khaimah Emirate. Its purpose is to oversee everything related to the complexities of entertainment and gaming. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has decided to call this new body The Department of Entertainment and Gaming Regulation. It will soon become responsible for the cultural, social, and even the environmental landscape of Ras Al Khaimah.

What Will the Department of Entertainment and Gaming Regulation Do?

The departments range of interests and regulatory scope will include taxation and licensing, but also operational procedures within the gaming and entertainment industries. Moreover, it will seek to define and reinforce consumer safeguards.

RAKTDA said the Department’s main priority is the creation of a framework around which the Emirate can oversee responsible gaming.

It is said to cover the entire scope of gaming across all integrated resorts. Therefore, this includes not just hotels and entertainment venues, but also restaurants, lounges, convention centres, retail outlets, and spa venues. Compliance will insist that operators work within the scope of applicable regulations and laws from the ground up:

• Employment
• Finance and financial transactions
• Operators
• Advertising and marketing

Wynn Resorts Investment

The announcement in January incidentally came closely after the American luxury resort developer Wynn Resorts made a huge announcement about Al Marjan Island. They revealed plans of a new island resort (which comes under Ras Al Khaimah Emirate jurisdiction) to include:

• A high-end retail shopping centre
• A 1,000-room hotel
• Space for meetings and conventions
• At least 10 restaurants and lounges
• Gaming and entertainment zones