Summary:
- A temporary site with 16 slot machines has opened at the former Tropicala site in Las Vegas to retain its license.
- The venue will remain open for a few days and has no amenities.
- Construction is underway for a new ballpark and future mixed-use development.
A temporary casino has quietly opened at the former Tropicana site in Las Vegas, but it’s not what you think: the venue is not aimed at attracting crowds or offering a full resort experience, but to serve a very specific purpose tied to state regulations. Namely, keep its license.
Bally’s Corp., which is responsible for operating the property, has set up a total of 16 slot machines inside a construction trailer on the site.
The peculiar pop-up casino will be open to the public through next Thursday, running daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors’ access is allowed from Ocean Drive near Tropicana Avenue.
The setup of the temporary gambling room is pretty straightforward, with no additional services, food or drink options, and also none of the features that are usually associated with casinos on the Strip.
The slots, provided by International Game Technology (IGT), will also work a bit differently, as they will not accept ticket vouchers. This means that winnings will be paid out by hand, while IGT will take on any losses from players during this short run.
The Reason Behind the Decision
The reason behind the temporary operation comes down to Nevada gaming rules. To keep a non-restricted gaming license active, there must be some level of gaming activity on the property at least once every 24 months.
Without this, the license could be lost, which would complicate future plans for the site.
This type of short-term setup is not unusual in Las Vegas. Similar pop-up casinos have appeared over the years at locations like the former Moulin Rouge, as well as the old Las Vegas Club and Mermaids downtown.
In those cases, operators also installed a small number of machines for a limited time to meet licensing requirements.
The Tropicana itself closed in April 2024 and was later demolished that October. Since then, work has already begun on a new project that will reshape the site.
A 33,000-seat ballpark is under construction, set to host the Oakland Athletics starting in 2028. The stadium will take up part of the property, while the rest is expected to be developed into a larger entertainment district.
Plans from Bally’s include hotel towers, a new casino, retail space, restaurants, and other attractions. For now, though, the focus is on keeping the license active, even if it means running one of the smallest casinos on the Strip.
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