Las Vegas' Ellis Island Casino to expand casino floor, add new sportsbook area

Las Vegas' off-strip Ellis Island Casino has announced plans for the expansion of its gaming footprint. The family-owned hotel-casino is working on an expansion plan that will add 6,415 square feet to the property, according to planning documents submitted to Clark County, retrieved by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 

The expansion and remodel will feature a larger casino floor, a sportsbook back-of-house area, an audio/visual equipment area, and a south service entrance vestibule.

“This renovation gives us the opportunity to create an elevated gaming and entertainment experience while honoring our history and legacy,” Christina Ellis, Vice President of Development, said in a statement.

Ellis Island Casino demolished its 2,800-square-foot microbrewery to make way for the expansion, as per the planning documents. The new structure will be much closer to the sidewalk and will include rooftop access when completed. Officials expect the project to be completed in eight to 10 months, according to Review-Journal.

“With Ellis Island’s 56th anniversary on the horizon, we are proud to be entering into a new era,” Anamarie Ellis, Vice President of Operations, said in a statement. “This project has been in the works for several years and we are excited to introduce a renewed aesthetic and offering.”

The Ellis family has run the site on Koval Lane near Flamingo Road as a small operation since 1967, gradually adding more casino space and acquiring the adjacent hotel over the years. Its latest project was the Front Yard, a beer garden with some on-site brewing that opened in 2019.