Bally’s Corporation Rebrands Casino KC in Missouri

Bally’s Corporation has rebranded Casino KC, previously known as the Isle of Capri, to Bally’s Kansas City Casino as part of its $40 million renovation project. The company has also launched Bally Rewards – a four-tiered loyalty card program.

The announcement of the rebrand this Monday comes nearly four months after the Rhode Island-based company announced the multi-million renovation plan of the casino site off Front Street. The riverboat casino is located in Kansas City, the largest city in Missouri.

The property spans across 39,788 square feet of casino area, including 848 slot machines, 17 table games, two dining areas, and a bar. The company also reportedly plans to open its retail sportsbook or gift shop operations within the addition. Currently, sports betting is not legalized in Missouri.

Complete Rebrand to Take a Year

On Monday, Bally’s replaced the building’s exterior entrance sign. However, the property-wide rebrand – including Bally’s dice, cards, gaming chips, and table game layouts – is expected to complete during the first half of 2022.

The gaming company will also include a reskinning of the property’s riverboat-themed exterior to replace it with updated color-changing angled panels, in addition to 35,596-square foot retail and dining addition.

Bally’s Corp. CEO, George Papanier said in a release, “We’re proud to bring the Bally’s name to Kansas City as part of a transformative redevelopment of the property.”

Papanier noted it came amid a crucial timing for the customers as Bally’s has several new and engaging experiences planned for the venue, which would generate additional excitement on the Berkley Riverfront.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Scheduled this August

Bally’s Kansas City Casino intends to host a groundbreaking ceremony for the public on Aug. 18. According to a news release, the ceremonial groundbreaking will see live entertainment, food samples, as well as presentations by the company and local officials.

Papanier thanked the state of Missouri for its cooperation throughout the process, and also acknowledged the contributions and endeavors of Bally’s team.

The second phase of the $40 million development project includes a seven-story, 150 room hotel, and a 3,000 seat amphitheater. 

The Show-Me State’s 13 commercial casinos combined to post $155,8 million in adjusted gross revenue in June. All those casinos are on riverboats.

How Have We Reached Here?

Bally’s Corporation – formerly Twin River Worldwide Holdings – first unveiled its plans to break ground on the first phase of the $40 million redevelopment project this April. It came days after the Kansas City Plan Commission nodded to a request to rezone the 28.54-acre casino site to a master-planned development district, subject to 38 conditions.

During that commission meeting, Bally’s VP of Operations Paul Juliano said as a gaming property Casino KC means a lot to Bally’s.

A permit application was submitted March 16 with the Federal Aviation Administration, relating to the 45-foot-tall casino addition, which listed a work schedule running from June 1 to Dec. 1, 2022.

The company had hinted in February and March filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it would invest nearly $40 million in the redevelopment project.

“The property’s been here for 25 years, and Bally’s looks forward to being here and building something for the next 25 years,” casino General Manager Michael Donovan had said during a meeting.