Las Vegas Casino Developments: New Openings and Closures

Las Vegas has seen significant shifts in its casino landscape recently, highlighted by the closure of a restaurant co-owned by former NFL quarterback Drew Brees and the reopening of Caesars Palace's poker room.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux, located inside Harrah's Las Vegas, has permanently closed its doors. The restaurant, which opened in March 2022, was co-owned by Brees and had become a staple for sports enthusiasts on the Strip.

A sign on the door thanked customers for their support but did not provide reasons for the closure. This marks the sixth Walk-Ons location to shutter this year, with other closures occurring in places like Louisiana and Texas, leaving the chain with 12 active locations nationwide.

Notably, both Walk-Ons and Harrah's did not comment on the closure, leaving many questions unanswered about the future of the brand in Las Vegas. In contrast to this closure, Caesars Palace has made headlines with the reopening of its poker room after a lengthy renovation.

Casino.org News reports that the poker room had been closed since July 2024 and was temporarily relocated to the Appian Way retail area while renovations were completed. The revamped poker room is now back in its original location, across from the sportsbook, and features a more spacious layout with new ergonomic chairs.

However, the room has two fewer tables than before, now offering a total of 16 tables. Caesars has promised enhanced comfort for players and increased rewards, with Player Rewards members now earning $3 per hour for live-action cash games.

Despite the closure of the World Series of Poker room, which was sold to NSUS Group Inc. in 2024, Caesars Entertainment continues to host significant poker tournaments at its properties, ensuring that it remains a key player in the poker scene.

This reopening is part of a broader strategy, as Caesars had also reopened the poker room at Planet Hollywood earlier this year, indicating a renewed focus on improving the poker experience in Las Vegas.

While the city grapples with changes like the closure of Walk-Ons, the reopening of Caesars Palace's poker room showcases a commitment to enhancing the gaming experience, signaling both challenges and opportunities in the evolving landscape of Las Vegas casinos.