Wynn Resorts has acquired Crown London, a private casino in London's Mayfair District, in a strategic move that analysts believe could significantly benefit the company's upcoming UAE venture.

While Crown London (formerly Aspinalls) currently generates modest cash flow and London's VIP casino market has struggled since the pandemic, CBRE Equity Research analyst John DeCree highlights the acquisition's strategic value. The casino serves high-end VIP gaming customers from London, Asia, India, and the Middle East, making it an ideal customer acquisition tool for Wynn's upcoming Al Marjan Island resort.

The purchase, set to close in the second half of 2025, positions Wynn in a global gateway city and creates a direct channel to their future UAE property, scheduled to open in early 2027. CEO Craig Billings emphasizes this connection as a key benefit of the acquisition.

Crown London's established relationships with Indian customers, particularly through its regular Bollywood Night events, could prove especially valuable. India represents one of the UAE's top tourism markets, and these customers may prefer traveling to UAE over Macau.

The UAE casino market holds significant potential, with some experts projecting it to become the world's fourth-largest gaming destination. However, analysts suggest that investors haven't fully factored this opportunity into Wynn's stock valuation yet.

DeCree emphasizes that Crown London's focus on high-end, high-intent customers makes it a more effective marketing channel compared to traditional branded hotel partnerships. This strategic acquisition could prove instrumental in driving traffic to Wynn Al Marjan Island when it opens, marking the first casino resort in the Arab world.

The hotel tower at Wynn Al Marjan Island is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with the full resort opening in the first quarter of 2027.

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