The United Kingdom, United States, Europe and Asia have long been viewed as the primary hubs of the global gambling industry.
However, the landscape looks set for a major shake-up over the next few years, with the United Arab Emirates poised to muscle in on the action.
While there have been mixed messages coming out of the UAE relating to gambling in recent times, it would appear the country is getting ready to jump on the bandwagon.
Several sports betting site operators already accept players from the Middle East, with some of them making significant inroads in the region.
There have been strong rumours that the UAE is working towards establishing a formal regulatory and licensing body to oversee the gambling sector in the future.
Arguably the biggest development in the Middle East is the news that Wynn Resorts will be opening a $3.9 billion integrated resort in the UAE in 2027.
While there has been no official announcement about the inclusion of gambling in the new resort, it seems highly unlikely it will not be incorporated in some form.
Other high-profile operators are also scouring the region for suitable locations to locate gambling businesses, which further points to the UAE becoming a major player in the industry.
It has been estimated that legalised gambling in the UAE could quickly generate annual revenues of more than $6 billion – a figure that is clearly not be sniffed at.
The UAE’s potential relaxation of its historical stance on gambling is fuelled primarily by the country’s desire to become less reliant on oil revenues.
Tourism is viewed as a central component of the future success in the UAE, which requires the government to become more amenable to popular Western practices.
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority will likely play a key role in how things unfold in the UAE over the next few years.
They will oversee the regulatory element of the integrated resorts and have set up a sub-division to manage the gambling element of the new operations.
The previously mentioned Wynn Resorts project is unquestionably the key to which direction the UAE will take with regards to gambling.
It was recently revealed that loyal Wynn customers and Chinese tourists will be the main target audience when the resort opens its doors.
They are unlikely to travel to the UAE unless they have reassurances they can engage in all the same activities they enjoy elsewhere in the world.
The feedback Wynn has received from the UAE government must have played a significant part in its decision to ramp up the number of hotel rooms in the new resort by 50 percent.
It is now expected to feature about 1,500 hotel rooms, suites and villas, all of which will be aimed at people with plenty of disposable income.
Work on the site has already started, with German foundation work specialists Bauer International FZE contracted to perform the piling phase of the project.
Located on Al Marjan Island, the ambitious scheme will take full advantage of the stunning group of four coral-shaped islands in a man-made archipelago.
When the resort is opened in 2027, Wynn will be an equity partner with several local companies and the overall operator of the destination.
In addition to the hotel rooms and probable gaming floors, the resort will feature conference facilities, world-class restaurants and a top-class shopping mall.
While the other attractions are hugely impressive, the potential incorporation of land-based gambling facilities would be a pivotal moment for the Middle East.
Long frowned upon due to strict religious beliefs in the region, the inclusion of gambling in the resort is a clear sign that the region is keen to embrace a more relaxed future.
With the UAE seemingly leading the way in establishing a workable gambling infrastructure, it is no surprise that other nations in the region are monitoring developments.
These are extremely interesting times in the Middle East and it will be intriguing to see how things unfold over the next few years.