Casino Royale Las Vegas Has Sky-High Plans

Article ByDavid Weir

August 10, 2023

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Posted in: Nevada Gambling News, US Casino News

The iconic Casino Royale, a staple on the Las Vegas Strip since 1964, could be in for a transformative change.

Recent approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), revealed by Las Vegas blogger Vital Vegas, have set the stage for a potential 700-foot skyscraper that could redefine the city’s skyline.

The budget-friendly venue is owned by Best Western Hotels, who also operate a hotel on the site. It is one of the few Las Vegas Strip hotels not to charge a resort fee, and the casino and its bars famously catered to low rollers.

However, the legendary venue could soon be in for a major revamp that might end its run as a budget Las Vegas destination.

While there are no details on the potential plans, the city’s second-highest skyscraper won’t come cheap. Which means the days of the site’s chain venues could be numbered.

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Towering Changes to Sin City

The FAA has given its nod for the construction of a building that could soar as high as 699 feet above ground level on the land where Casino Royale currently stands.

This approval has sparked speculation about the future of the existing businesses operating on this plot, including the Best Western hotel, Outback Steakhouse, and Denny’s.

The proposed height would make this new structure one of the tallest in Las Vegas, overshadowing many of its neighboring resorts.

It would currently be the second-highest casino hotel on the Strip. The almost-complete Fontainebleau caps out at a slightly higher 739 feet.

Neither, however, matches the Strip’s tallest building, The Strat. It is the tallest free-standing observation tower in the U.S at 1149 feet.

However, it’s crucial to note that while the FAA’s approval is a significant step forward, the final decision on any new skyscraper in Las Vegas rests with Clark County planning officials.

If there are no objections to the Casino Royale site’s planned height, we might hear more definitive plans as early as September. The FAA’s approval is valid until January 21, 2025, providing a window for the project’s commencement.

Casino Royale: A Nostalgic Gem

Casino Royale has long been a favorite for visitors seeking value in Las Vegas. With its affordable gaming, dining, and accommodation options, it has catered to “low rollers” for decades.

The casino was renowned for its low-limit table games for many years. However, those were mostly replaced with slot machines and electronic table games post COVID-19 pandemic, and the original games haven’t really returned.

Budget-friendly chain dining options like Denny’s and White Castle have also been popular choices at the Casino Royale site, with the casino’s bars famously offering beers for as low as $1 in the past.

The Best Western Hotel on the premises is one of the few in Las Vegas that doesn’t levy a resort fee, making it a preferred choice for budget travelers.

However, the potential construction of a new building could signal the end of these value offerings. If a new casino hotel replaces the current Casino Royale, maintaining these low prices might become challenging.

Las Vegas Strip hotels have also cut back on free valet parking in recent years, which has been a luxury staple in Las Vegas for decades. Since 2017, most major Strip casino resorts have ended free parking, including MGM and Caesars. Last month, the Venetian and Palazzo Resorts announced the end of free self-parking at both venues.