Momentum for casino resorts, or destination resorts as they are known, has been building up in Texas, but the last hurdles are too much to clear just yet
Las Vegas Sands Corp has been passionately advocating for the arrival of casino resorts in Texas, but its efforts have so far come empty-handed. Even though the company divested from its properties in Las Vegas, Nevada, it has not yet been able to move the needle and get a project underway in Texas.
Las Vegas Sands Corp Keen to Forgo Gaming, Move Ahead with Development
The problem is two-fold. Local opposition as well as lack of a regulatory framework to make this a possibility have both got in the way, with residents expressing concern over the arrival of a casino in the city and area. Because of this, the company has asked the Irving City Council to withdraw the casino gambling project from its proposed zoning amendment.
Originally, Las Vegas Corp was hoping to push through with a destination resort, but it faced pronounced local opposition, and the state failed to pass any meaningful legislation that would have allowed for casino resorts to have arrived anyway.
Rather than doggedly double down on casino resorts, Las Vegas Sands Corp is now targeting to develop a mixed-use area which will include retail and residential spaces, a hotel and arena. There is nothing to suggest that at a later stage a casino could not be added, but for the time being, there will be no casinos.
The amended project is still subject to final approval from the Irving City Council, and the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting this week already saw locals speak openly against the idea of having the project feature any sort of gaming venue in the first place.
Residents and locals said that they were not against the idea of a multi-purpose development project but expressed concerns against having a gaming development in that new project. Locals are generally on board with the new development in principle, providing it excludes the gaming part of the project.
Honest People and Las Vegas Sands’ Intentions
Locals also want to see Las Vegas Sands Corp. forego its intentions to develop a gaming project altogether, and for this to be a part of any future development. As one Irving resident put it, “if they are honest people, they’re not going to do anything if they’re not doing gaming.”
The City Council is yet to vote on this new measure and if it favors it, Las Vegas Sands Corp will proceed with the development while excluding its gaming plans – for now. However, it’s unlikely for the company to give up on its broader ambitions for the Lone Star to become its next land-based casino destination.
