Las Vegas Sands Corp Pulls Efforts For Dallas CasinoCompany Removed Gambling Aspect Of Zoning Change After Locals Pushed Back Against The Idea |
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An effort by Las Vegas Sands Corp. to include a potential casino in a resort in the Dallas suburb of Irving was rebuffed on Thursday night – at least for now.
The plan called for an entertainment resort that would include a casino on land that was formerly home to Texas Stadium, but the gambling aspect was ultimately withdrawn by the company.
Instead, a zoning change was passed that removed language allowing gambling and a nightclub in the event that the Texas legislature and voters across the state approve the legalization of casinos. The change issue faced significant opposition from Irving residents at an earlier planning and zoning meeting.
Removing the casino portion of the rezoning could put the possibility of the entire resort in jeopardy.
“I cannot commit to building a four million square foot project and spend four billion dollars — the economics will not work without a casino piece,” Sands executive Mark Boekenheide told council members during a work session before the meeting.
No Casino Yet, But Hotels Still A Possibility
According to the Dallas Morning News, Boekenheide did say building hotels on the site could still be a possibility, even without the zoning change. He said the company removed the requests for a casino to be included because of the significant opposition in the planning and zoning meeting earlier in the week and the continued uncertainty whether the legislature would approve a casino bill.
The plan for the resort was approved by the planning and zoning commission in a 5-4 vote. The council then approved the zoning changes without the casino and nightclubs elements in two 6-3 votes.
Sands purchased the property prior to the company purchasing a majority interest in the Dallas Mavericks in 2023. Along with hotels and a casino, the plan for the development also included a new 15,000-seat arena for the team, convention space, spas, retail, restaurants, and more. Sands has spent millions lobbying for casinos in the state.
Las Vegas Sands CEO Patrick Dumont recently told the Dallas Real Estate Council that the company could invest up to $12 billion in the “business tourism” project.
“Let’s call it – current art of investment at the NBA where it becomes an entertainment area – a destination,” he said. “Something that drives not only local tourism but tourism from the surrounding region because it’s a great experience.”
Some Irving council members expressed disappointment that the plan wasn’t approved and that the city might be missing out on a major driver of jobs and tourism.
“I am sad that people keep wanting to come to Irving wanting to do something for us, and we keep losing all of these opportunities to get some great amenities for our citizens who constantly tell me ‘there is nothing in Irving to do’,” councilman Dennis Webb said. “The citizens of Irving need to find out what they want for their city, but they have to be willing to work with people, and you just can not ask developers to come to the city of Irving and do it all your way.”
The chances of the legislature passing casino and sports betting bills now appear doomed after a slate of new legislators recently came out against expanded gaming. In other words, brick-and-mortar and online casinos in Texas are a ways away.
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