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The request to drop the casino part of Sands Corp's plan came hours before the full city council was set to consider a zoning change to move the development forward.

IRVING, Texas — Just hours before Irving leaders were set to consider the Dallas Mavericks' owners' plans to build a casino resort near the former Texas Stadium site, an official from Las Vegas Sands Corporation requested that the gambling part of the plan be withdrawn.

Mark Boekenheide, senior vice president of global real estate development for Las Vegas Sands Corp., which is owned by the same family that owns the Dallas Mavericks, requested the gaming component of the development be removed from the plans during a city council workshop Thursday afternoon after receiving pushback from some in the community.

The city council met late into the night and ultimately passed the amended plan. But where the project goes from here remains unclear.

Sands' decision Thursday means that any construction on a proposed destination resort that would include gaming -- which is not yet legal in Texas -- will not proceed. A representative told city leaders that the casino is needed to help fund the resort's operations.

“At this time, given the current status of gaming expansion legislation in the state and certainly some of the concerns that are being spoken in our several meetings here, Sands has asked the Irving City Council to remove the destination resort and gaming component from the proposal initially sent to you and instead consider approval of the balance of the uses in the rezoning entitlement,” Boekenheide said.

Earlier this week, the Irving planning and zoning commission approved two proposals – one that would change a 1,001-acre development area around state highways 114, 183 and Loop 12 into high-intensity mixed-used development and another that would switch two specific tracts within that development on the northeast side of State Highway 114 across from the old Texas Stadium from transit-oriented to mixed-use, in a 5-4 vote earlier this week.

That vote was an early step toward eventually allowing Las Vegas Sands Corp. to build a resort and casino on the site should Texas legalize gambling. Speculation that the venue could also include a sports arena led to rumors the Mavs could move to Irving.

The plans sparked protest and pushback from some in the Irving community.

“I think it’s safe to say the city of Irving’s long viewed this parcel as a valuable development asset and has explored ways to maximize the development with us as well as with the previous owner and of course, with us, including the option to create a multibillion-dollar gaming resort should the gaming laws in Texas change. As part of what is certainly going to be an open and ongoing process, our company appreciates the opportunity to share a vision of what that destination resort could look like in Irving or someplace else in the metroplex,” Boekenheide added during the workshop. “We value input from all of the stakeholders and the community.”

Las Vegas Sands Corp. provided the following statement to WFAA:

“The City of Irving has long viewed this parcel of land as a valuable development asset and has explored ways to maximize that development, including the option to create a multi-billion-dollar destination resort should the gaming laws in Texas change. As part of what is certainly an open and ongoing process, our company appreciates the opportunity to share a vision of what a destination resort could look like in Irving or elsewhere in the Metroplex. We value input from all stakeholders, and we were pleased to receive approval from the Irving planning and zoning commission to move forward with our plans. At this time, given the current status of gaming expansion legislation in the state, Sands has asked the Irving City Council to remove the destination resort and gaming component of the proposal and instead consider approval of the balance of uses and the rezoning entitlement.”

Public comment regarding the newly proposed zoning request garnered 176 speakers Thursday night, per the city secretary.

Some residents pointed out that Sands' decision Thursday only signals that the company is willing to do another bout with the council if gaming is legalized down the road.

That could very well be the case. If the resort is powered by the profits of the casino like Boekenheide mentioned, there would be no sense in building one yet if Texans can't gamble.

A rezoning proposal tied to the new owners of the Dallas Mavericks, Las Vegas Sands Corp., drew a passionate and divided crowd to Irving City Hall Monday night. Residents packed the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, with many forced to stand, as they voiced their concerns and support for the project, which could eventually lay the groundwork for casino gaming in Texas.

The proposal seeks to rezone approximately 1,000 acres of land near Highway 114, including the site of the former Texas Stadium, for a large-scale mixed-use development. Las Vegas Sands executives outlined their vision, which includes retail, residential space, a resort, and the potential for a casino—should state lawmakers ever legalize gambling in Texas.

A community divided

Most residents at the meeting opposed the project, citing concerns about gambling, traffic congestion, and potential negative social impacts.

“We don’t need a casino in our community,” one resident said during public comment. “This is not the future we want for Irving.”

On the other side of the debate, some attendees highlighted the economic benefits the development could bring, including job creation and increased revenue for the city and school district.

“We believe that it would put somewhere about $25 million a year directly into the city of Irving, [and] $40 million into the school district,” a Las Vegas Sands representative stated.

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Uncertainty over casino gaming

One of the key concerns raised by the commission was the uncertainty surrounding casino legalization in Texas.

“Would it be, if it doesn’t look like it’s ever gonna pass here in Texas, you’re just gonna sell the property and go someplace else?” one commission member asked.

“That’s a tough question to answer,” a Sands executive responded. “Because I don’t know. If it doesn’t happen this year, we’re probably interested to see what happens two years from now.”

The developers clarified that, while they are seeking rezoning approval now, they plan to move forward with the retail, residential, and resort aspects of the project while waiting for legislative decisions on casino gaming.

Arena plans confirmed

Another major point of discussion was whether a new arena would be part of the proposed development. The answer from Las Vegas Sands was clear: If a resort is built, an arena will be included, as is standard with the company’s properties.

With strong opinions on both sides, the planning and zoning meeting stretched late into the night as residents continued to voice their concerns. The commission’s decision on rezoning will help shape the future of Irving’s development—and potentially, casino gaming in Texas.

Rezoning approved

The meeting continued early into Tuesday morning and ended at about 2:30 a.m. The motion passed 5 to 4.

A planning meeting about the future of Irving and a potential resort casino stretched into the early hours of Tuesday morning. NBC 5's Larry Collins has the details.

Should gambling be legalized in Texas, Irving Assistant City Manager Phillip Sanders said the resort would feature a casino.

IRVING, Texas — The Adelson family, majority owners of the Dallas Mavericks, purchased a large plot of land near the former site of Texas Stadium in Irving at the end of 2023, and it now appears work is beginning to build a destination resort on that land.

Irving City Council members considered a zoning change for the land on Thursday afternoon, rezoning the land from transit-oriented mixed use to high-intensity mixed use. Three of the authorized uses for this zoning highlighted at the meeting are destination resorts, casino gaming and casinos.

Philip Sanders, assistant city manager for the city of Irving, said the Adelsons identified the possibility of a "destination resort concept" on the land.

"It maximizes the opportunity for a transformational development, which is really what I think the city envisioned on that property," Sanders told council members Thursday.

There were numerous requirements listed to make the destination resort happen, including a minimum of 1,750 guest rooms, as well as either an arena with a minimum of 15,000 seats or an indoor theater with a minimum of 4,000 seats.

Casino gaming would also be a consideration if it is legalized. As it stands, it's not legal in the state of Texas, but there have been efforts made by the state to change this. Legislature would have to be passed and voters would have to approve legalizing gambling. Should this happen, another requirement of the resort would be the inclusion of a casino, Sanders told the city council.

Should casino gaming be included, Sanders said the gross square footage of the resort would be at least 4 million square feet. It would likely be a series of interconnected structures rather than one single building.

There are many steps needed still to move forward, including adopting development standards and amending hotel standards.

The plan is expected to be presented to the city's planning and zoning commission during their March 4 meeting, and city council will take formal action on the plan during their March 20 meeting.

Irving District 2 Council Member Brad LaMoregese called the plan a transformational project.

"It's gonna be interesting times going forward," LaMoregese said. "This is gonna be so different than anything I think we've ever done."

The Mavericks have played the franchise's home games in two arenas in Downtown Dallas: Reunion Arena (1980 to 2001) and American Airlines (2001 to present day).

Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont was adamant about the Mavs not leaving the state for Las Vegas in an interview with the Dallas Morning News.

“The Dallas Mavericks are not moving to Las Vegas,” Dumont said. “There is no question in that. That is the answer, unequivocally. The Dallas Mavericks are the Dallas Mavericks and they will be in Dallas.”

Dumont has not publicly denied eventually moving the team elsewhere in the metroplex, however. Technically, the plot of land is still in Dallas County, which some may semantically argue as still being "Dallas," though it lies within Irving city limits.

WFAA reached out to the Adelsons' resort company, Las Vegas Sands, for comment, as well as to the city of Irving and the Dallas Mavericks. Ron Reese, a spokesperson with Las Vegas Sands Corp., replied with the following statement:

"As large scale developers it's paramount we engage with local stakeholders in an effort to unlock the maximum economic benefit possible should future development take place."

The City of Irving sent WFAA the following statements:

"This item is not so much a proposal, per se, but a zoning change consideration. During today’s work session, the Irving City Council voted to send the item to Irving’s Planning & Zoning for review."

WFAA did not hear back from the Mavericks as of Thursday afternoon.

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Las Vegas Sands Corp. has revised its proposal for a major development in Irving amid public opposition and the current illegality of gambling in Texas. The company asked Irving City Council members to strip the casino gambling portion from the proposed zoning amendment.

The original plan included a "destination resort" featuring casino gaming, contingent upon the legalization of gambling in Texas. However, during a public workshop on Thursday, Sands' executive Mark Boekenheide addressed the Irving City Council, requesting the removal of the casino element from the zoning proposal.

The revised proposal focuses on developing a high-density, mixed-use area encompassing retail, residential spaces, a hotel, and an arena. Now, if approved, permitted land will not include casino gaming at a destination resort, or a nightclub with the destination resort.

The development is planned for a 1,001-acre site near Highway 114, which includes the former Texas Stadium location.

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This decision follows a contentious Planning and Zoning Commission meeting earlier in the week, where residents expressed concerns about the potential social impacts of introducing a casino to the area.

Again on Thursday night, there was standing room only, with several people finding out after signing up to speak that the proposal had been amended.

Just hours before a key vote, Las Vegas Sands asked Irving city leaders to remove the casino portion of its proposed resort plan. The developer—also the new owner of the Dallas Mavericks—made the change after public pushback. NBC 5’s Candace Sweat reports from City Hall.

"I wasn’t opposed to a development. We need economic development in the city. We need a wider variety of activities for our residents. But the issue that I had, and I think a lot of residents shared, was the issue of gaming in that zoning application," said Irving resident, Fuad Dadabhoy.

The commission narrowly approved the rezoning proposal in a 5-4 vote, advancing it to the City Council for consideration. ​

Several speakers said they’re now excited about the potential, but still expressed hesitancy about Sands Corp. Some said they want gaming casinos prohibited not just as it relates to the destination resort, but to explicitly name gambling as prohibited use.

"If they’re honest people they’re not going to do anything if they’re not doing gaming. So, if they do something then you gotta question their honesty," said Irving resident, Charles Zipper.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the revised zoning amendment. If approved, Las Vegas Sands Corp., which recently acquired a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks, could proceed with the development under the new parameters, excluding casino gaming.​