Texas: Las Vegas Sands Corp. removes casino plan from Irving development proposal

Las Vegas Sands Corp. has revised its proposal for a major development in Irving, removing the casino gambling component due to public opposition and Texas’ ban on gambling.

The original plan included a "destination resort" with casino gaming, which was contingent upon the legalization of gambling in Texas. However, during a public workshop on Thursday, Sands' executive Mark Boekenheide addressed the Irving City Council, asking for the removal of the casino component from the zoning proposal, NBC 5 DFW reported.

The revised plan now focuses on creating a high-density, mixed-use area, which would include retail, residential spaces, a hotel, and an arena. If approved, the development will no longer allow for casino gaming or a nightclub associated with the destination resort.

The proposed site spans 1,001 acres near Highway 114, including the location of the former Texas Stadium.

The shift follows a heated Planning and Zoning Commission meeting earlier in the month, where residents voiced concerns about the social impacts of introducing a casino to the area.

At Thursday’s meeting, the room was packed with residents, many of whom discovered only after signing up to speak that the proposal had been modified, the report said.

The commission approved the rezoning proposal by a 5-4 vote, moving it to the City Council for a vote.

Some speakers expressed excitement about the updated proposal but still voiced concerns about Sands Corp. Some suggested that casino gambling should not only be excluded from the destination resort but should be explicitly prohibited from the area.

The City Council is set to vote on the revised zoning amendment. Las Vegas Sands Corp., which recently acquired a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks, will be able to move forward with the development under the new terms, excluding casino gaming, if approved.