Jim Murren was on the minds of two casino company CEOs this month.

But he was never mentioned by name.

Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International have designs to enter a potentially lucrative gaming market in the United Arab Emirates, a Middle Eastern country of about 9 million people. Wynn is a little further along with its $3.9 billion project on the man-made Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, which was first announced in early 2022.

MGM is developing a non-gaming resort in Dubai, the UAE’s largest city, with three hotel towers totaling 1,500 rooms branded under the Aria, MGM Grand and Bellagio names.