Irving, Las Vegas Sands drop casino plans following community backlash

IRVING, Texas - Early Friday morning, Irving City Council approved a plan for Las Vegas Sands to move forward with a development at the site that used to be home to Texas Stadium.

The vote came after the company told Irving officials to remove plans for a destination resort and casino after facing major backlash from residents earlier this week.

Nearly 200 residents signed up to speak at the council meeting on Thursday, with all residents opposing the casino.

Irving City Council meeting on March 20.

Irving council meeting

What we know:

Representatives for the developer addressed the council, emphasizing that Texas gaming laws would need to change before a casino could be built. They emphasized the uncertainty surrounding state legislative action on gambling expansion.

Some residents argued that a destination resort would only benefit the city economically if it were supported by state gaming laws.

In response to concerns, the council voted in two separate 6-3 decisions to amend the zoning proposal, removing the casino component. However, the council did not ban the possibility of a casino being built at the site if state laws change in the future.

Las Vegas Sands has been working to prepare to apply for a license in the event that Texas lawmakers and the public approve of expanding legalized gambling in the state.

A motion by Irving City Councilman Luis Canosa to prohibit gambling as a use for the site in the future failed.

The meeting, which started at 7 p.m. Thursday, lasted until nearly 2 a.m. Friday.

What's next:

Sands representatives said they still plan to develop the site but on a much smaller scale, potentially including hotels. However, the revised project would generate significantly less revenue than a casino.

Residents voiced support for a more balanced use of the land.

The ownership group behind Sands is also behind the Dallas Mavericks, making some believe the NBA franchise could move from downtown Dallas to Irving.

The zoning approved would still allow for the development of an arena, but without a casino to fund it, it is not clear if even that plan will move forward.

Initial Texas Stadium site plans

The backstory:

On March 18, the Irving Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-4 to rezone the old Texas Stadium site before sending the proposal to the city council on March 20.

Original plans included a 4-million-square-foot resort and casino featuring a nightclub. The proposed development was set for the former Texas Stadium location near highways 114 and 183.

Resident concerns

176 Irving residents spoke against the plan for the casino.

What they're saying:

"I still have concerns about business with the Sands, they are in the business of luring people into making bad bets, that is their entire business," said Taylor Higginbotham.