Casino News Round-Up: Rao’s Exits Caesars, New Vegas Casino

This week’s casino news has a focus on Las Vegas and California as the two states were in the headlines this week. Here’s the latest stories we’ve been tracking in the gaming world:

Gaming Company Has Permission To Build New Casino In Las Vegas

Residents of the Las Vegas area should be excited as a brand-new casino could be coming sooner rather than later. Lawmakers in the state came to the conclusion that Station Casinos will receive permission to build a new hotel-casino resort in Las Vegas. The construction on this anticipated new property will likely begin at the start of the 2022 year with the name is already picked out as well.

The company hopes to name it Durango, a Station Casinos Resorts as the location will be set on Durango Drive, right on the outskirts of the city. For those who typically stay on the Las Vegas Strip, it is just a 15-minute drive between there and Durango.

Along with the hotel and casino, the company hopes to add a second hotel tower and a theater entertainment space. However, these plans are expected to be added on once the property officially opens.

Los Angeles Law Enforcement Raids Hollywood Casino

Gaming in California is still mostly illegal, which is why the underground scene still thrives. Illegal gaming activities were the reason that law enforcement had to undergo a raid on a Hollywood business and a warrant for the raid ended up with an individual being arrested. There was a lot of suspicion around the Los Angeles area that certain businesses were undergoing illegal activates such as illegal nightclubs and narcotics being available. After a long investigation, police finally moved in.

During the most recent raid at Young’s Market, police officers found unlicensed gambling machines. The business owner ended up admitting to turning the property into an illegal casino and was fined up to $1,000 along with up to six months of prison time.

California has had trouble with this issue in recent months. They have been steadily attempting to infiltrate all of the illegal underground gambling stations that are scattered around the city. Residents have been asked to speak up if they believe they know something about these activities. Some, however, believe it’s better to simply legalize and regulate gaming, so those who want to can play peacefully. California continues to be one of the states that push back on legalized gambling.

Rao’s Restaurant At Caesars Palace Plans To Close Down In November

A stalwart Italian restaurant in Las Vegas isn’t going to stick around for much longer. It’s been announced that Rao’s, a restaurant located at Caesars Palace, plans to shut down on November 28^th for good. The restaurant was wildly popular with celebrities and other politicians frequenting the establishment throughout the years.

Neither of the co-owners of this business spoke out about the reason for this random closure but it will be marking the end of a long journey that started all the way back in 2006. However, those owners did mention a potential next step into Southern Nevada down the line, though nothing is even close to being set in stone just yet.

With Rao’s stepping away, a new restaurant could be making an appearance over at a different location in the same resort corridor. Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux is going to be opening up at Harrah’s Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The restaurant won’t be officially open until early 2022. They will offer items such as burgers, salads, crawfish etouffee, and other Louisiana-based dishes.