The new home of the World Series of Poker on the famous Las Vegas Strip will receive a major facelift ahead of live poker’s pinnacle series of the year. In Spring 2022, renovations at Bally’s will commence and the resort will also receive a new name — Horseshoe Casino Las Vegas.
More than 50 years ago — during the second-ever WSOP — the landmark poker series took place downtown at the Binion’s Horseshoe. For more than three decades, it remained there — at a casino rich in history that is widely considered to be one of the most iconic and old-school venues in Sin City. For the past 17 years, the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino hosted the festival famous for its elusive gold bracelets, but, alas, its time at the Rio has also come to an end.
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On the tail end of the last in-person festival at the off-Strip location, WSOP brand owner Caesars Entertainment confirmed the move to the new venue. When the doors open for the 53rd WSOP, the Bally’s Las Vegas will be no more, and the revamped venue will bear the emblematic name of Horseshoe Casino.
“At Horseshoe, it’s all about the gambler. Since 1951, Horseshoe Casinos have been home to the best odds, highest limits, and biggest jackpots. So, it’s fitting that we bring Horseshoe back to Las Vegas, and right on the Las Vegas Strip,” said Jason Gregorec, SVP and General Manager of the property. “Holding to the Horseshoe tradition of providing impeccable service, our guests will see the property transform over time, ensuring we aren’t disrupting the excitement while we make the transition.”
According to the Caesars Entertainment press release, renovations are scheduled to get underway in Spring of 2022 and are expected to conclude by the end of the year. Included in the current plans are “a renovated exterior, new entertainment and food and beverage options, and a reimagined casino floor and public areas.” It will be the third moniker for the property, which was originally established back in 1973 as the MGM Grand Hotel.
Besides the WSOP’s scheduled dates of May 31 until July 19, 2022, many logistical details, including the full schedule at the new locations are still pending. It is widely predicted that Caesars will take advantage of the two large convention centers to host all poker events. Parking is available nearby and participants will get to enjoy plenty of different food options around the corner, on the main Strip.
The WSOP first took place all the way back in Reno in 1969 before moving to downtown Las Vegas and the Binion’s Horseshoe, where it was held until 2004. However, the troubled past of the Binion family caught up on them and they subsequently sold the WSOP and Horseshoe brand to Harrah’s Entertainment that year.
One year later, the live poker spectacle moved to the Rio, as the previous WSOP venue was no longer big enough for the rapidly growing festival. It was also in 2005 that Harrah’s purchased the Bally’s and Paris properties, which will now serve as the host for the WSOP as of 2022.
Yet another move to a different property in Las Vegas was required after Caesars sold the Rio in 2019. It was part of a consolidation process in the ongoing merger between WSOP-owner, Caesars Entertainment, and Eldorado Resorts. The business end of the deal was completed in 2020 to create the largest casino and entertainment company in the US.
While Caesars retained the Horseshoe brand and currently operates eight casinos under that name across the US, it sold the Bally’s brand name to Rhode-Island based Twin River Worldwide Holdings. The new owner promptly rebranded to Bally’s Corporation, purchased Bally’s Atlantic City in 2020, and also acquired the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas as well.
Both the reimagined Rio and new Horseshoe will breathe fresh new air into the casino landscape in Sin City. The new WSOP venue will revive the iconic Horseshoe Casino’s look only a footstep away from the main tourist traffic. It is part of a million-dollar investment by Caesars across all the company’s Vegas properties and construction will commence right before the start of the 53rd WSOP.
The full schedule for the upcoming WSOP live poker festival, running Summer 2022 is expected to be released next month.
