Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioBally’s Corporation has finally released the long-awaited plans for its massive redevelopment of the former Tropicana site on the Las Vegas Strip, unveiling a resort and entertainment district that will surround the Oakland A’s future $2 billion ballpark.
The reveal comes almost a year after Bally’s released initial plans for the project, following the implosion of the Tropicana. The lack of information had raised concerns about whether Bally’s would be able to complete the project on time.
At the same time, the A’s have already begun construction on their ballpark with expectations to be ready for the 2028 season.
Resort & District Features
Bally’s vision for its Las Vegas project is a 500,000-square-foot entertainment district, wrapping around the A’s ballpark, which will include:
- 3,000 hotel rooms across two towers (1,800 + 1,200)
- 104,000 sq. ft. casino space, with sportsbook, table games, area for special events, and a 1,200-sq.-ft. casino bar
- 2,500-seat live entertainment theater, spanning three levels
- A nine-acre public plaza connecting directly to the stadium
- Eight-level parking garage with 2,500 spaces, expandable to 5,000 total
- Boring Company Vegas Loop station integrated into the site
Notably, the company has not provided details on the project’s cost.
A Phased Plan
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Bally’s plans to file for entitlements for the project from Clark County in the next two weeks. The company anticipates commencing construction in the first half of 2026.
The first phase will be finished in conjunction with the ballpark’s completion. The first completed elements will include the nine-acre plaza, the parking garage, and a shared utility plant.
In the second stage, Bally’s will complete the theater, a 1,800-room hotel tower, and additional retail and dining spaces.
The last stage will include the 1,200-room hotel tower. That portion of the project will not come to fruition for several years, as the area is currently used as the staging space for the construction of the A’s ballpark.
Linked to the A’s Relocation Deal
In 2023, Bally’s and the A’s entered into a partnership for the 35-acre former Tropicana site, together with Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI), the land owner of the site.
The A’s will occupy nine acres. Bally’s controls the remaining 26 acres under a long-term ground lease with GLPI, paying approximately $10.5 million annually in rent.
Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim framed the development as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine the heart of the Strip.”
He emphasized the company’s focus on non-gaming revenue, noting that three-quarters of the Las Vegas Strip’s income now comes from sources outside the casino floor.
The project will be similar to other entertainment districts surrounding MLB ballparks. They include The Battery in Atlanta and the Gas Lamp District near Petco Park in San Diego, blending stadium access with nightlife, dining, and retail.
Bally’s aims to “curate a mix of dining concepts, flagship retail and immersive experiences.”
Bally’s Expanding Footprint
The Las Vegas project is one of several large-scale Bally’s developments. All of them are part of what the company refers to as Bally 2.0.
In Chicago, the company is building the city’s first casino. The $1.7 billion integrated resort, located in the River North neighborhood, is expected to open by September 2026.
Bally’s is also in the running for one of three downstate New York casino licenses, where it has pitched a $4 billion resort in the Bronx. However, the public’s opinion is deeply divided. That will be a key factor influencing a Community Advisory Committee’s vote on whether to advance the application to the next phase of the process.
The simultaneous projects have raised questions about whether Bally’s can secure the financing needed to advance them all. The company recently raised funds for the Chicago project through an initial public offering (IPO). Additionally, in July, Bally’s sold its International Interactive Division to Intralot, a Greek lottery and betting technology firm, for $3.2 billion.
In response to the questions on whether it’s juggling too much, Kim told the Nevada Independent:
“I know we have a lot going on, and we want to move forward…If demand is slow, then we’ll go slower. We’re not going to build speculative.”
