Mere hours before the Irving, Texas city council was set to vote on zoning changes for a mixed-use development centered around a casino from Las Vegas Sands (LVS), the company opted to pull the gambling component from the proposal. 
In the early morning Tuesday (18 March) LVS narrowly secured initial zoning approval for the project. That approval was granted in a 5-4 vote from the Irving zoning commission, but it came after a marathon meeting that featured testimony from dozens of opponents, mainly local residents.
The city council was poised to vote on the proposal Thursday (20 March) evening. Before the meeting took place, however, LVS announced its intention to revoke the casino portion of the project.
In addition to the rising public opposition, the company also acknowledged the improbability of casinos becoming legal in the state. That effort, which has been ongoing for several years, appears to be all but futile for this legislative session. According to the Texas Tribune, a group of anti-gaming lawmakers made it clear that gambling expansion is “dead on arrival” for this year. The Texas legislature meets in odd years, meaning that 2027 would be the next opportunity for legalisation.
“At this time, given the current status of gaming expansion legislation in the state and certainly some of the concerns that are being spoken in our several meetings here, Sands has asked the Irving city council to remove the destination resort and gaming component from the proposal initially sent to you and instead consider approval of the balance of the uses in the rezoning entitlement,” LVS executive Mark Boekenheide told the council ahead of the meeting, per WFAA.
Ultimately the council voted 6-3 to approve the zoning changes for the amended proposal. This also came after a long meeting that spilled into the early morning Friday (21 March). Notably, the ruling did not close the door on the company adding a casino to the site in the future, if state laws change.
LVS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Millions invested in Texas, future uncertain
Much like igaming in New York and sports betting in California, commercial casinos in Texas have proved to be a white whale for industry stakeholders. This is especially true for LVS–in the lead-up to this year’s session, controlling shareholder Miriam Adelson made over $13 million in political donations, up from $3.3 million in the prior cycle.
At the Global Gaming Expo last October, longtime LVS lobbyist Andy Abboud said this year’s chances of legalisation were “greater than 50%”. That sentiment seemed to fade, especially after Abboud faced boos and jeers as he spoke at the zoning commission hearing Monday. He at one point accused attendees of being sent by casino interests from neighbouring states.
The spokesperson from Las Vegas Sands had the nerve to ACCUSE CONCERNED RESIDENTS of being PAID by Oklahoma casinos.
He must think the only motivation for people to do anything is money.But these earnest people are justly fearing for their families, the social fabric of… pic.twitter.com/mjx6mFCh5F
— Luis Canosa (@LuisCanosaD4) March 17, 2025
Brendan Bussmann, a Las Vegas-based consultant with B Global Advisors, told iGB that despite LVS’ efforts for almost two decades, opposition in Texas has been too much to overcome. This is primarily attributable to lieutenant governor Dan Patrick, who so far has refused to call any gambling bills for a vote without support from republican lawmakers.
“We’re probably two to four years off before we have a full conversation on what gaming in Texas may look like,” Bussmann said. “Because at this point all roads lead through (Patrick)”. Even if casinos were to be legalised, it would require several years of development, pushing any opening into the 2030s.
Apart from the legislative hurdles, Bussmann added that the local approach also seems to be falling flat. He noted that the rising pushback is indicative that there “should have been more of an education process with the local residents”.
Interesting time for industry giant
The Irving proposal is one of multiple ongoing developments for LVS. In addition to its Texas efforts, the company is also one of 11 bidders vying for three available downstate New York casino licences. It is proposing a $6 billion casino development on a 72-acre property in Long Island, at the site of the Nassau Coliseum.
Bids are due in June and the licences are set to be awarded by the end of the year. But LVS CEO Rob Goldstein said earlier this year that the opportunity would be less appealing if the state were to legalise igaming. LVS founder Sheldon Adelson was vehemently opposed to online gambling and the company has continued that stance since his passing in 2021.
In an earnings call 29 January, Goldstein told analysts that online gaming “dilutes the value of the (land-based) product”. He said the company was faced with a “conundrum” as it considers such a sizable investment.
By the time that LVS might develop a casino in Texas or New York, the company will be under new leadership. Goldstein will step down as CEO in March 2026 and transition to an advisory role, LVS announced 6 March. Current president and COO Patrick Dumont is set to replace Goldstein as CEO.
Dumont is also the governor of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, owned by the Adelson family. Given the connection between LVS and the team, it has been speculated that the group could try to relocate the Mavericks to a new arena on the Irving site, which is where the Dallas Cowboys’ former home, Texas Stadium, stood before it was demolished in 2010. The site is eight miles away from the Mavericks’ existing arena.
