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The Royal Resort, a longstanding non-gaming hotel at 99 Convention Center Drive in Las Vegas, is slated for demolition by the end of August 2025, marking the end of an era for the property that has been closed since a devastating fire in 2022. According to General Manager Jim Pazargad, the fire, sparked by guests smoking on the seventh floor, triggered the sprinkler system, causing water damage that cascaded from the top floors to the basement. With insurance unwilling to cover the full cost of repairs, the decision was made to demolish the property, with a liquidation sale of its assets currently underway.
This news, first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, highlights the challenges faced by older, non-gaming properties in a city known for its constant reinvention. While the Royal Resort’s closure has minimal direct impact on the iGaming industry, it reflects broader trends in Las Vegas that could shape future developments for both land-based and online gaming operators.
A Historic Property’s Final Chapter
Opened in the 1970s, the Royal Resort was a modest, non-gaming hotel catering to budget travelers and convention attendees due to its proximity to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Unlike iconic Strip properties like the Tropicana or the Riviera, the Royal Resort focused on affordability and accessibility rather than gaming or entertainment. However, the 2022 fire rendered the property inoperable, with water damage affecting every level of the building. “The floor was all wet, water went all the way down to the basement. So we had to shut down the hotel,” Pazargad told the Review-Journal.
Efforts to reopen were thwarted by financial constraints, as insurance payouts fell short of the funds needed for restoration. With nearly all staff laid off except for a few security guards and Pazargad, the property has remained vacant for nearly three years. The upcoming liquidation sale, featuring items like mattresses, lamps, refrigerators, and tables, offers a final opportunity for the public to acquire pieces of the hotel’s history before demolition crews move in.
Las Vegas’s Cycle of Reinvention
The Royal Resort’s demolition is part of a broader pattern in Las Vegas, where aging properties are frequently razed to make way for modern developments. Recent examples include the Tropicana, imploded in October 2024 to clear space for a new Oakland A’s baseball stadium, and the Riviera, demolished in 2016 to expand the Las Vegas Convention Center. These high-profile demolitions reflect the city’s shift toward diversified entertainment, with new projects blending gaming, sports, and hospitality to attract a wider audience.
Industry analyst David Schwartz, a historian at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, notes that Las Vegas thrives on reinvention. “The city’s ability to tear down and rebuild is part of its DNA,” Schwartz said in a recent interview with Gaming America. “Properties like the Royal Resort, while not as glamorous as Strip casinos, are part of the ecosystem that supports Las Vegas’s tourism economy.” The Royal Resort’s closure underscores the challenges faced by non-gaming properties in a post-COVID market, where reduced tourism and rising costs have strained smaller operators.
Implications for the iGaming Industry
While the Royal Resort was not a gaming venue, its demolition raises questions about the future of its prime real estate near the Las Vegas Convention Center. The iGaming industry, which has seen significant growth in Nevada through platforms like online poker and sports betting, could benefit if the site is redeveloped into a mixed-use property with gaming elements. For example, new casino resorts often integrate iGaming platforms to attract younger, tech-savvy players, as seen with operators like Bet365 and DraftKings expanding their online presence in Nevada.
However, with no announced plans for the site post-demolition, it may remain vacant, similar to the New Frontier site, which has been undeveloped since 2007. This uncertainty could delay potential iGaming opportunities in the area, though the site’s location makes it an attractive prospect for future casino or entertainment developments. Players and operators alike should watch for updates, as a new project could introduce innovative iGaming features, such as mobile betting apps tied to a physical resort.
What’s Next for the Royal Resort Site?
As the Royal Resort prepares for demolition, the liquidation sale has drawn attention from collectors, local businesses, and curious visitors. Unlike the Tropicana’s implosion, which was a public spectacle, the Royal Resort’s demolition will be a low-key affair, with no public viewing due to safety concerns. The absence of immediate redevelopment plans suggests the site may sit vacant for years, a common outcome in Las Vegas as developers await the right market conditions.
For real money casino enthusiasts, the Royal Resort’s closure serves as a reminder of the evolving landscape of Las Vegas. While iGaming continues to thrive online, land-based properties face unique challenges. Players interested in Las Vegas’s gaming scene can explore top-rated platforms on Online Real Money Casinos for the latest reviews and bonuses, ensuring they stay ahead in the dynamic world of online gaming.
Key Takeaways
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The Royal Resort at 99 Convention Center Drive, Las Vegas, will be demolished in August 2025 following a 2022 fire that caused extensive water damage.
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A liquidation sale of hotel assets, including mattresses and refrigerators, is currently underway.
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The property’s closure reflects challenges for non-gaming hotels in Las Vegas, with no immediate redevelopment plans announced.
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The site’s prime location near the Las Vegas Convention Center could attract future casino or iGaming developments.
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Las Vegas’s history of demolitions, like the Tropicana and Riviera, underscores the city’s focus on reinvention.
