Some members of the design and development team working on Wynn Resorts Ltd’s $5.1 billion resort project on Al Marjan Island were evacuated from the United Arab Emirates as a result of the war in Iran, but construction is ongoing, according to a Wynn executive who was licensed Thursday by the Nevada Gaming Commission.
Jacqui Krum, executive vice president, general counsel and director of Wynn, unanimously approved licensing, but not before commissioners received an update on the project’s status.
“Some of them have moved to different locations based on advice from their embassies,” Krum told commissioners. “The construction site is still ongoing at this time, and we are dedicated to the safety and security of the team members working on the construction site.”
Wynn Al Marjan Island is about 70 miles from Dubai, where some hotels have been hit by Iranian drone and missile attacks during the ongoing war between the US, Israel and Iran.
The facility is scheduled to open in 2027, but a commissioner suggested that if the conflict continues, the opening could be delayed.
Commissioner George Markantonis opened the hearing on the resort’s status because he said he knows several of the workers involved in the project.
Krum succeeds Ellen Whittemore, who retired last year after announcing her planned departure in September 2024.
Krum was one of three executives connected to major Las Vegas projects approved for licensing Thursday.
Carlos Castro, president, secretary and treasurer of Resorts World Las Vegas, was unanimously approved for licensing after a brief hearing. Commissioners praised him for being part of the team turning around the culture at Resorts World, which was fined $10.5 million in 2025 for allowing players linked to illegal bookmaking to play at its casino in violation of money-laundering laws.
The commission also approved licenses for Vladimira Mircheva, chief financial officer and vice president of Bally’s Corp., who is working with the Athletics to coordinate a project related to the Major League Baseball stadium under construction at Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard. Bally’s is also working to open Chicago’s first ever casino and has been selected for a license to build a casino resort in New York.
In another matter, commissioners unanimously approved a new private gaming lounge at Park MGM that will have the capacity to record customers’ games for their own enjoyment or to later stream or broadcast.
Commissioners questioned why parlors — which typically cater to high rollers, athletes and entertainers to maintain their privacy — would want the ability to produce high-quality video of casino games.
MGM officials said the concept is part of a new trend for some celebrities who want to show off their gambling prowess to draw attention.
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