Las Vegas resort updates
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Las Vegas seems to be going crazy with the new resort announcements recently.

American luxury hotels operator Dream Hotel Group has reportedly been granted official permission to bring its latest property to an around five-acre parcel of land located at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip.

According to a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper, the New York-headquartered firm received the green light from the Clark County Commission on Wednesday afternoon to begin building a Dream-branded development that is to sit adjacent to the Nevada city’s McCarran International Airport. The source detailed that this work could now start from as soon as April before the finished 527-room resort hotel opens approximately two years later also offering a pool deck and a covered parking garage.

The newspaper reported that Dream Hotel Group collected the Clark County Commission’s consent for the $600 million property via a six-to-one vote only after it had agreed to make several changes to the layout of the envisioned 20-story venue. These alterations may purportedly end up costing the developer an extra $10 million but were instigated following criticism that the location of the enterprise next to the nation’s seventh busiest airport could lead to several ‘safety and security concerns.’

Source: https://news.worldcasinodirectory.com/clark-county-officials-okay-dream-las-vegas-plan-for-the-las-vegas-strip-97318

Station Casinos received approval from county officials Wednesday to move forward with its much-anticipated plan to build a resort in the southwest valley.

The Clark County Commission greenlighted the company’s proposal to build a 211-room hotel with an 83,178-square-foot casino on South Durango Drive just south of the 215 Beltway. Station plans to break ground on its new project — Durango, a Station Casinos Resort — early next year, according to the company.

They say the resort will focus on gaming, have little competition within 5 square miles and cater to the southwest valley’s growing population. “Once again Stations, as a true locals casino, is coming to the rescue in the southwest, I’d say, by providing them a place where they can dine, where they can go hang out,” Bob Finch, chief operating officer for Station parent company Red Rock Resorts, told the Review-Journal.

The company intends to release a cost estimate for Durango at its third-quarter earnings call with investors this fall. Finch estimated Durango would open late 2023.

Plans submitted to the county note two phases of construction. The first phase would have a single 216-foot-tall hotel tower; water features; a parking structure; four restaurants and beverage stops; a “state-of-the-art” race and sportsbook; 20,000 square feet of meeting and convention space; a pool space with private cabanas and an event lawn; and electric vehicle charging stations.

Source: https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/station-casinos-durango-project-approved-for-southwest-las-vegas-2454124/

An interesting insight into cashless casinos and cashless resorts, such as the new Resorts World set up.

The gaming industry has adopted the term “omnichannel approach” to cashless technology. In addition to transferring funds, the digital systems are designed to allow customers to easily wager across all platforms — in-person slot machines and table games, sports betting and internet casino gaming in the four states where it is legal.

“We’re in the very early innings of the cashless rollout,” said Scientific Games Executive Vice President Matt Wilson. “In three to four years, more than half of the (casino) operators in the country will have some sort of omnichannel presence. We believe the future is building that digital wallet and allowing the customer to take that wallet and make transactions across all those platforms.”

The AGA released research in June 2020 showing 57 percent of casino visitors said digital or contactless payments on the casino floor are important to them because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Another 59 percent of casino customers said they were less likely to use cash in their everyday lives out of coronavirus concerns.

Source: https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/cashless-gaming-and-digital-payments-are-moving-into-the-casino-world

A veteran gaming executive with a long career at MGM Resorts will now lead the Palms in Las Vegas as it transitions to its new tribal owner.

The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority announced Wednesday that Cynthia Kiser Murphey will serve as general manager for the off-Strip casino resort. Kiser Murphy has been the CEO of a benefits fund since 2020. Prior to that, she was president and chief operating officer for New York-New York from 2008 to 2020 and held other executive roles with MGM since 1992.

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians reached an agreement to buy the Palms from Station Casinos for $650 million back in May. Executives have said the deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

Latisha Casis, the chairperson for the tribe's Gaming and Hospitality Authority, said it was important to find a leader for the Palms who shared the board's values, put people first and is committed to diversity.

Source: https://news3lv.com/news/local/san-manuel-tribe-veteran-mgm-executive-new-palms-general-manager-las-vegas

Current progress on the new entertainment venue in Las Vegas called MSG Sphere located across the street from the Venetian.

Source: https://twitter.com/SoCal360/status/1430244196233875456

Could a new resort be coming to South-West Las Vegas 20 years after being announced?

The Virgin Hotel is now fully operational and had its Grand Opening this week...

The MGM Sphere is now actually a sphere and has been topped off.

Station Casinos has agreed to sell the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for $650 million in cash.

Red Rock Resorts, the parent company of Station Casinos, and the Tribe both announced the sale agreement Tuesday. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions. San Manuel said in a press release it expects the sale to close later this year.

"Today represents an important step for the Tribe and its long-term economic diversification strategy," San Manuel Chairman Ken Ramirez said in a statement. "On behalf of the Tribe, we are thankful for the opportunity to join a community that we have come to know and appreciate."

The hotel has about 700 rooms and suites, and the resort includes a 2,500-seat theater and the Palms Place condominiums.

Source: https://news3lv.com/news/local/palms-casino-in-las-vegas-sold-to-san-manuel-tribe-for-650-million

Interesting overview of all the construction projects ongoing in Las Vegas

In this video:

MSG Sphere Las Vegas – Despite the recent sale of the Venetian, this 17,000+ seat state of the art theater is moving forward with construction. Right now they are raising the roof pieces into place which is quite amazing to see.

Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall & Vegas Loop – This massive expansion adds over 600K square feet of new exhibit space along with the first stations of the new Tesla Vegas Loop. In this Vegas Loop tour we'll check out two of the new system's first stations.

The Pass Casino - Downtown Henderson's historic Eldorado Casino is being re-imagined into The Pass. Recently sold by Boyd gaming this old casino is getting ready to open once again with a completely new name and look.

Henderson Events Center - Home to the Henderson Silver Knights beginning in 2022, this 6,000 seat arena replace the Henderson Pavilion amphitheater which sat on the same spot.

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas - The old Hard Rock Hotel is getting ready to re-open with a new entrance, theme and name. This Virgin Hotels Las Vegas tour will show you the frontage and new entryway just days before opening.

Sahara Restaurant Row – As part of their $150 million in renovations Sahara is converting their Strip frontage into four new eateries. This is probably one of the most underrated casinos on the Strip!

The Drew (Old Fontainebleau) – Abandoned for over a decade this project was recently bought. What will happen?

Resorts World Las Vegas Construction Tour – World class food and entertainment along with 3,500 rooms spread across 3 Hilton brands.