Texas Casino Plan Abandoned by Las Vegas Sands

Las Vegas Sands Corp, the global casino and resort giant, is pressing ahead with plans for a non-gaming integrated resort in Irving, Texas, despite local and legislative opposition to gaming venues.

The proposed development, spanning nearly 1,000 acres of the former Texas Stadium site, includes luxury hotels, a convention center, retail, restaurants, and a 15,000-seat arena that could potentially host the Mavericks basketball team. Despite withdrawing the casino element due to backlash and current legal restrictions, Sands still aims to move forward with a large non-casino project as an economic catalyst, potentially creating up to 18,000 jobs.

However, the project faces significant hurdles. Legislative opposition and moral resistance to legalized casino gaming remain strong in Texas, with casino legalization requiring voter-approved constitutional amendments and political leadership often resistant. Sands is actively investing millions in political campaigns to influence gambling legalization efforts, highlighting that casino components depend on future legal changes.

Critics label the project speculative without gaming revenue, as gaming is a major revenue driver for such resorts, and the political path to legalize gaming in Texas remains unclear. Given these factors, Sands is pursuing a political and lobbying strategy alongside its vision for the multi-use resort, but progress depends heavily on legislative and electoral outcomes by 2026.

In the meantime, Sands appears ready to advance the non-gaming components. The Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to meet this week to discuss the amended project. If the City Council favors it, Las Vegas Sands Corp will proceed with the development while excluding gaming - for now.

It is important to note that despite divesting from its properties in Las Vegas, Nevada, the company has not been able to get a project underway in Texas. Local residents have expressed concerns about the inclusion of a gaming venue in the new development project, with one Irving resident stating that if Las Vegas Sands Corp is "honest people," they would not pursue gaming in the new development. However, residents are generally supportive of the new development project, provided it excludes gaming.

There is a possibility that a casino could be added to the mixed-use development at a later stage, but this remains uncertain. The outcome of the project remains uncertain, but Sands’ investment and political focus indicate strong ongoing efforts to realize part or all of the project.

Despite withdrawing the casino element due to local opposition and current legal restrictions, Las Vegas Sands Corp still aims to move forward with a large non-casino project in Irving, Texas. The proposed development, spanning nearly 1,000 acres, includes luxury hotels, a convention center, retail, restaurants, and a 15,000-seat arena – with no casino-games initially planned. However, the possibility of a casino being added to the mixed-use development at a later stage remains uncertain.