Las Vegas Sands and Canyon Ranch Partner for Proposed Long Island Casino

Article ByDavid Weir

July 28, 2023

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Posted in: New York Gambling News, US Casino News

Las Vegas Sands has announced a partnership with Canyon Ranch, a leading spa and wellness center operator, to provide its health facilities (pictured) at Sands’ proposed Long Island casino.

The Sands plans for a $4 billion integrated casino resort on Long Island, at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale is just one of a dozen competing projects. All aim to pick up one of three downstate New York casino licenses.

A preliminary lease deal on Sands’ proposed site was signed in May. However, the plan has faced opposition from the local Hofstra University, who are currently taking legal action against Nassau County over the decision to grant a lease.

A Luxurious Offering

Sands has still been pushing forward with news of its development plans. Over recent weeks, it has revealed the integrated resort will include an expansive live concert venue, honoring the history of the Nassau Coliseum site.

On top of that, it will include a five-star hotel, a casino floor with slot machines, table games, and sports betting, numerous celebrity chef restaurants, and flexible meeting and convention spaces.

The casino, Sands says, would occupy less than 10% of the overall square footage. The addition of Canyon Ranch’s services would add a comprehensive day spa and health club to the resort’s offerings, further enhancing the luxury experience aimed for by the casino resort.

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Canyon Ranch’s Wellness Expertise

Canyon Ranch, known for its focus on health and well-being, operates two resort destinations in Lenox, Massachusetts, and Tucson, Arizona.

It also has previous experience partnering with casinos, operating a Las Vegas facility at the Venetian Resort, which was owned by Sands until 2021.

Their services span spa and beauty, fitness, nutrition, health, and mindfulness. Guests can receive facials and massages, take yoga and other fitness classes, meet with a private health coach, learn how to cook healthy food, and receive spiritual or emotional guidance.

“We are proud to be in partnership with Sands to expand access to our unique approach to integrated wellness to the New York Metropolitan and Long Island area,” said Jeff Kuster, CEO of Canyon Ranch.

A Competitive Future

The partnership with Canyon Ranch is part of Sands’ strategy to strengthen its bid for one of the coveted casino licenses.

Sands is one of a dozen or so casino bids being prepared in what’s shaping up to be a hotly contested bidding war. Notable casino giants expected to bid include Caesars Entertainment, which is backed by Jay-Z for a project in Times Square, and Wynn Resorts for a casino in Hudson Yards.

Meanwhile, Hard Rock is partnered with Steve Cohen for a casino at the billionaire’s Citi Field ballpark, home to the New York Mets. Local real estate tycoon Larry Silverstein has proposed a modest twin 43-story tower casino resort linked by a sky bridge.

Las Vegas Sands is looking at New York as a potential return to the U.S casino market. It recently published its Q2 2023 reports. They showed a welcome return to growth for shareholders after the company’s Asian properties in Macau and Singapore struggled to rebound from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Sands, despite the Las Vegas of its name, sold its last Las Vegas properties in 2021, after the death of long-term head and founder Sheldon Adelson.

Canyon Ranch continues to operate a wellness facility at the Las Vegas Venetian and Palazzo Resort, which was built by Sands, but is now owned by Apollo Global Management.

The outcome of the bidding process in New York remains uncertain. But the partnership with Canyon Ranch adds a unique element to Sands’ proposal. That could potentially make it more attractive to the licensing authorities in a field where everyone is trying to stand for more than just casino gambling.