Ellis Island Casino has revealed a $35m expansion while suing F1, Clark County over the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Expanding while suing 

One of the multiple owners of property suing the Formula One Group for loss of earnings over the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix has revealed a $35m expansion. 

Ellis Island Hotel & Casino announced plans for a major upgrade late last week

The owners of the off-Strip Ellis Island Hotel & Casino announced plans for a major upgrade late last week. The family-owned establishment is taking on the expansion while suing F1 and Clark County over damages Ellis Island claims resulted from the months-long construction for last year’s Vegas Grand Prix.

Las Vegas Locally took to X with an artist’s impression of Ellis Island’s proposed multimillion-dollar upgrade: 

According to Friday’s Las Vegas Review-Journal, the $35m project will include expansions to Ellis Island casino’s gaming floor, a new rooftop event space, and a center bar. The property’s existing Village Pub & Café and karaoke lounge are also getting a revamp. 

The best kept secret

The property that dubs itself “the best kept secret in Las Vegas since 1968,” has given itself multiple upgrades since launching in the ‘60s but none as extensive as its current project. 

Las Vegas-based firms Bentar Construction and Steelman Partners are taking on the design and construction, respectively, of the Ellis Island property.

upgrade will also include over 250 new slot machines

The multimillion-dollar upgrade will also include over 250 new slot machines and a new pit area in the facelift to its casino floor. According to the LVR-J, Ellis Island has “a reputation among bargain-hunting gamblers for offering lower table game minimums,” such as $5 blackjack and $10 roulette games.

Ellis Island Vice President of Operations Anamarie Ellis said her firm’s casino team was “eager to expand our mix, bringing in more fan-favorite slots.” The executive added Ellis Island was “looking forward to bringing this new aesthetic to the floor.”

Anamarie’s sister Christina Ellis, who is Vice President of Development, expressed her excitement at getting the $35m upgrade project underway. She stated Las Vegas was growing and that the family-run business was “eager to expand our offerings while staying true to what has kept us a staple on Koval Lane for 56 years.”

What next?

Ellis Island is located near the F1 Paddock Building on Koval Lane, site of a huge temporary bridge built for the 2023 Vegas Grand Prix. The organization in May filed a lawsuit against F1 and Clark County seeking damages of $50,000+ linked to financial losses and expenses brought about by the months-long construction project. 

Ellis Island states in court filings it lost millions of dollars in 2023 because the Vegas Grand Prix affected customer and employee access to the property for months before the event because of construction works and during the November race event itself

Ellis Island will no doubt appreciate a legal windfall to offset its historic expansion project. According to media reports, however, “a judge heard oral arguments from both parties last month, but no action was taken.”

Ellis Island’s lawsuit follows a separate action against F1 by multiple Las Vegas business owners including Battista’s Hole in the Wall restaurant and its subsidiary, Stage Door Casino. Battista’s and other businesses claimed they lost $30m because of the 2023 race, and backed on online petition to stop the 2024 F1 race.

The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, meanwhile, is scheduled to run from November 21-23.