Here’s a quick look at some of the more notable casino resort projects currently in development.
EAST
Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino announced plans for a new Downtown District that will add 200,000 square feet of entertainment, shopping and dining to the flagship property in Uncasville, Conn. Scheduled to debut in 2015, project highlights include the New England Gourmet Hall, filled with artisan food purveyors, as well as a 20,000-square-foot bowling center and a 14-screen cinema complex that will be available both for private events and conferences. The resort currently offers more than 100,000 square feet of function space, 1,175 guest rooms and three individual casinos.
The $60 million Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin opened this summer at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Pa. The 2,000-acre mountain resort offers 32,000 square feet of meeting space, 600 slot machines, 28 table games and a variety of lodging options, from a 124-room chateau to townhome rentals.
Maryland’s Rocky Gap Casino Resort, in Cumberland, plans to unveil a new event center by the end of the year. It will accommodate groups of up to 500 for conferences, conventions and meetings. Rocky Gap also recently updated its restaurants, golf course and 200 guest rooms. The resort can host full private golf tournaments of up to 72 players.
Harrah’s Atlantic City started construction on a 250,000-square-foot conference facility, with 27 ballrooms and 125,000 square feet of meeting space, including two 50,000-square-foot pillar-free ballrooms. The project will cost approximately $126 million.
The Catskills region of New York state may finally be the site of a new casino project. The Mashantucket Pequot Indians, who operate the 2,200-room Foxwoods Casino Resort in Connecticut, have plans to construct a $500 million casino property near the city of Liberty, and there is other local development interest as well. However, all projects are pending a change to the state law that restricts gambling in-state. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has been working to legalize gambling in New York, especially upstate, to help revive the regional resort economy.
Turning Stone Resort Casino in New York unveiled a new $35 million entertainment venue called Exit 33. The multivenue complex added nightlife and dining options for groups, including the Tin Rooster barbecue restaurant, the Turquoise Tiger 1940s-style lounge and The Gig rock ‘n’ roll club. Additionally, Turning Stone offers 100,000 square feet of function space for events of up to 1,500 attendees. PageBreak
MIDAMERICA
Horseshoe Cincinnati opened earlier this year, a sister casino to Horseshoe Cleveland, which was the first casino in Ohio when it opened in 2012 inside the historic Higbee Building. The 100,000-square-foot Cincinnati casino offers 2,000 slot machines and video poker, and groups can book 33,000 square feet of banquet and event space, with the largest venue accommodating up to 2,000 guests. Horseshoe runs a shuttle to its nearby hotel partners, which include the new 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati, The Cincinnatian, the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza and the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati.
Milwaukee’s Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Wisconsin is constructing a 20-story, $150 million hotel scheduled to open in summer 2014. The casino attracts approximately 6 million visitors a year, with the 381-room hotel expected to further expand its regional draw.
SOUTH
MGM’s Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Miss., completed an $8 million upgrade, adding the new 13,500-square-foot Buffet Americana restaurant. The dining room is filled with regional touches, from local dishes to hints of leather, denim and wood used in the decor. Gold Strike offers a 30,000-square-foot convention center and 811 guest rooms.
Hialeah Park Casino is now open in Miami, near the famous Hialeah Park horserace track. From gardens to ballrooms, the property offers 10,000 square feet of indoor function space plus more than a million square feet of outdoor space. The South Florida grounds are designed in an elegant 16th century French Mediterranean style. The property is also home to a group of flamingos and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Margaritaville Resort Casino opened in Bossier City, La., the third casino property in the iconic brand’s portfolio. The resort offers 395 guest rooms, a 30,000-square-foot casino and a 900-seat performance hall, as well as the usual collection of thematic restaurants and “5 O’Clock Somewhere” bars.PageBreak
WEST
Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Casino is in the midst of a property-wide renovation that will include the debut of the Delano Las Vegas, a 1,100-suite South Beach-style hotel, in spring 2014. Located on floors 35-39 of the Mandalay Bay complex, the Four Seasons Las Vegas Hotel completed a renovation of all 424 guest rooms earlier this year. Additional openings include the new Michael Jackson ONE Cirque de Soleil production and dining outlets such as the industrial-style Rx Boiler Room lounge and KUMI sushi bar.
The MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas unveiled a new series of Stay Well rooms. The 42 guest rooms are filled with more than 12 unique wellness features, including healthy food options, shower water infused with vitamin C, lighting that syncs with the body’s internal clock, dawn-simulator alarm clocks, and aromatherapy and air purification systems. The MGM Grand offers more than 602,000 square feet of function space, including the new 92,000-square-foot Marquee Ballroom with a 6,000-person capacity.
The Las Vegas Hotel & Casino announced plans to renovate its ballrooms and conference areas, open two new restaurants and modernize all of its 220 suites. The hotel will also be adding an Executive Business Level with five smaller meeting spaces to be used for private events or as hospitality suites. The property offers 200,000 square feet of function space, including the 70,000-square-foot pillar-free Paradise Event Center and 15 conference rooms.
The Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino opened outside Phoenix in July. Operated by Gila River Gaming Enterprises, the property includes a 6,000-square-foot event center and can accommodate groups of up to 400 people. A boutique hotel offers 90 guest rooms. A private dining room in Ditka’s restaurant and various outdoor spaces are also bookable for group events.
