Top 10 casino openings and expansions for August 2024

Within the next two months, it is expected that we will see the implosion of an iconic Las Vegas Strip resort, Tropicana Las Vegas, which closed its doors earlier this summer to make way for a Major League Baseball park. But luckily, for that one door closing, we have numerous others that are opening and changing for the better.

Here, we take a look at 10 casino resorts across the U.S. that have announced updates since our last edition.

10. Buddy’s Boardwalk Empire opens at Harrah’s Atlantic City
On 19 July, Buddy ‘Cake Boss’ Valastro celebrated the grand opening of Buddy’s Boardwalk Empire at Harrah's Atlantic City with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, sweet surprises and more.

Opening day guests received an exclusive meet-and-greet with Valastro and his family and an opportunity to purchase autographed merchandise like t-shirts, aprons, and mugs. Guests also enjoyed bakery pizzas, sandwiches and the desserts from Carlo’s Bakery.

9. Wynn Las Vegas to debut seafood restaurant
Early next year, Wynn Las Vegas will debut Fiola Mare, a Mediterranean seafood restaurant from James Beard- and Michelin-awarded chef and restaurateur Fabio Trabocchi.

Fiola Mare's menu will feature a selection of seafood, sourced from the Mediterranean and East and West Coast of the U.S. The Las Vegas location will feature a raw bar at the entrance of the restaurant, as well as seafood towers, an array of tableside services, and grilled seafood entrees.

The culinary menu will be complemented with a selection of crafted cocktails and a wine program that honors producers from all over the world, including a vast collection of European choices.

8. Tropicana Atlantic City’s newest arcade is now open
Last week, Tropicana Atlantic City announced the grand opening of Game Up Lounge, a new arcade located in The Quarter.

The venue offers a social gaming experience where guests can enjoy the latest virtual and augmented reality machines, pinball, social games, and arcade classics.

Featuring over 2,700 square feet, the arcade boasts over 20 unique attractions and games to choose from. Game highlights include new virtual reality attractions like Godzilla Kaiju Wars and King Kong of Skull Island II, augmented reality darts, Deadpool-themed Pinball, Jet-Pong, and air hockey.

7. Lapa Lounge now open at Rio Hotel and Casino
Last month, Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas opened the Lapa Lounge, a cocktail destination that pays homage to the rich bohemian culture and social scene of Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Lapa neighborhood.

Some of the signature cocktails at this venue are below:

Lapa Sunset Mai Tai ($18): Watch the sun set with each sip of this vibrant blend of tropical flavors and a hint of spice. Featuring Mount Gay Eclipse Rum, Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac, Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, Grapefruit Lime Citrus, and Bitters, this cocktail transports you beachside.

Hibiscus Margarita ($15): Immerse yourself in a floral and citrus paradise. Elegant and refreshing, each sip delights with hibiscus and grapefruit zest. Featuring Teremana Blanco Tequila, Tattersall Crème De Fleur, Hibiscus Syrup, and Fresh Grapefruit Lime Citrus.

The Tiki Tango ($25): Indulge in a rich, tropical experience with sweet and tangy guava harmonizing with exotic spices. This lush cocktail, featuring Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac, Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, Falernum, Guava, and Fresh Grapefruit Lime Citrus, is served in a unique Tiki Glass you can take home.

6. Mohegan Sun opens late-night hotspot
At the end of June, Mohegan Sun in Connecticut introduced The Crafty Slice.

The Crafty Slice offers freshly made pizza that is perfect for guests who are on the go and those looking for some late-night eats. Pizza slices at The Crafty Slice are available starting at $5 each, and options range from vegetarian to pepperoni and a meat lover’s combo slice with pepperoni, sausage, chicken and meatballs.

Guests can also snag grab-and-go options that include premade salads, grinders, snacks and the Walking Taco – a bag of Dorito or Frito chips topped with lettuce, tomato, homemade chili, queso, and sour cream.

We are pleased to announce The Crafty Slice is officially open! ?? Our newest restaurant offers freshly made pizza that is perfect for guests who are on the go, and those who are looking for late-night eats! ?? Come find us conveniently located across from the Sun Patio! pic.twitter.com/Nk2zR2NUmq
— Mohegan Sun ?? (@MoheganSun) June 27, 2024

5. DraftKings opens live tables at Resorts Casino Hotel
Last month, gaming at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City just got a major upgrade. At DraftKings Sportsbook, guests can now play live table games with bets starting at just $10. Tables include popular games like Blackjack, Let It Ride, Roulette and Three Card Poker.

Also added across 24 traditional table games was a $5 side bet featuring a progressive jackpot that’s just for Resorts players.

4. New hotel tower coming to Bally’s Chicago
On 12 July, Bally’s Corporation announced a refreshed Bally’s Chicago Casino Resort permanent site plan that features a planned 500-room, 34-story hotel tower into a single-phase construction project.

The future Bally’s Chicago Casino will feature its hotel tower on the southern end of the casino development nearest Ohio Street along the Chicago River. The hotel tower will include a large pool spa, fitness center and sun deck, as well as a rooftop restaurant bar to enjoy the Chicago skyline.

The Bally’s Chicago Casino development plans include the 500-room hotel tower, 3,000-seat theater, six restaurants, cafes and a food hall, and a two-acre public park. The casino will offer space for approximately 3,300 slots, 173 table games and VIP gaming areas.

Today Bally's Corporation released new renderings for Bally's Chicago permanent site. To learn more about the development, visit link to release: https://t.co/XsUssThaRY pic.twitter.com/ngKfM40cDd
— Bally's Chicago (@BallysChicago) July 12, 2024

3. Churchill Downs reveals renovation plan
In July, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced an $80-$90 million renovation to the existing grandstand at Churchill Downs Racetrack that will update ticketed seating options while improving and adding to the amenities available for all guests in the grandstand area.

Construction on the Grandstand Club and Pavilion is scheduled to begin this month with completion planned in time for the 151st Kentucky Derby in May 2025.

The renovation of the Grandstand Club will transform existing outdoor aluminum bleachers into a combination of 8,300 new comfortable seating varieties. Updated seating options will include covered and uncovered stadium-style seats as well as rail boxes along the dirt track’s outer rail.

The project will also considerably improve and add amenities for 2,800 guests in the existing third floor box seats under the Starting Gate Suites. The Grandstand Pavilion will create a more upscale social environment by converting the existing second-floor amenity area into a covered outdoor garden environment with new concessions, bars and wagering windows.

Churchill Downs is proud to announce an $80-90 million renovation of the Grandstand including updated seating options, trackside boxes, and first-floor amenities!

Learn More ?? https://t.co/iO80C2lzX7 pic.twitter.com/lZqH5CtdS0
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) July 24, 2024

2. Atlantis Paradise Island transformation
Last month, Atlantis at Paradise Island Resort and Casino in the Bahamas completed a $150 million resort-wide transformation, including updates to the casino, guestrooms, restaurants and lounges.

The Royal at Atlantis, a 1,201-room hotel home to the Atlantis Casino, underwent a multimillion-dollar transformation, including fully refashioned guestrooms. The Royal has 120 suites, including 10 Grand Suites, four Presidential Suites, and three Royal Suites.

The central Moon Bar inside the casino has been upgraded with a circular deck, allowing guests to take a break from the action or step up to overlook the casino floor that features 85 tables and 700 games.

The resort also opened Bar Sol, where guests can enjoy a well-crafted cocktail and dance beneath a raised stage and DJ booth.

1. The Venetian in Las Vegas opens The Poker Room
Just last week, The Venetian Las Vegas opened its new poker room. The Poker Room features 50 tables spread across 14,000 square feet of space, making it the largest room on the Strip.

From self-serve Coca-Cola soda fountain and coffee to online ordering from Black Tap, Miznon and others; to USB and USB-C charging ports at every seat; TVs throughout the venue; and dedicated restrooms, every aspect of the experience was curated with the players in mind.

The room also has kiosks for both the resort’s loyalty program, Venetian Rewards, and sports betting operated by William Hill.

The Poker Room will spread cash games and the DeepStack poker tournament series, and later this year, the room will add a streaming room allowing players to coordinate a vlogging session and provide the ability to stream tournament final tables and cash games.

We're all in! Relive the excitement from our new Poker Room Grand Opening, with special appearances by @ShinLimMagic and Nelly. pic.twitter.com/Z4uM8IthVL
— The Venetian Resort Las Vegas (@VenetianVegas) August 2, 2024