Durango Casino’s Next Expansion Moves Forward as First Round Nears Finish

^{The south section of Durango Casino will reopen next month as the company preps expansion on the north side. (Photo: Marc Meltzer / Casinos.com)}

LAS VEGAS — During Red Rock Resorts’ most recent earnings call, Station Casino revealed plans for a $385 million project expansion of Durango Casino. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026, just one month after the current expansion wraps up.

A new hotel tower was originally part of Durango’s phase two plans, but didn’t make the cut, even with room rates ranging between $224 and $1,044 over the next few months.

Bowling, Movie Theater, and More Dining Coming to Durango

The north expansion, located on the other side of the casino, should take about 18 months to complete. The project will bring amenities common to other off-Strip properties, including a 36-lane bowling facility and luxury movie theater. 

Guests who normally park near the food hall will have to park elsewhere once construction begins. 

During the company’s third-quarter earnings call, President Scott Kreeger explained why the company prioritized these features over a hotel tower or spa:

“Of all the customer surveys that we've done since we opened,” said Kreeger, “the one thing that our customer base expects is all these other entertainment amenities like movie theaters and bowling and things of this nature. We're basically giving our customers what they're asking for, and that's really what we build: regional entertainment destinations in the best locations with the best amenities at the facilities. That's what's allowed our company to grow the way that it has.”

If you take Kreeger’s words at face value, Station Casinos is giving the people what they want with this expansion.

The current phase of Durango’s on the south end of the property is set to wrap up next month. It includes a parking garage for 2,000 guests, room for 230 additional slot machines, and a new high-limit room. The garage is a key piece of infrastructure for the next expansion, which will take place on the north end of the property, where the Eat Your Heart Out food hall is located.

More Slots and Entertainment to Come

Durango will continue to offer the basics expected at a locals' casino beyond the bowling lanes and movie theater. Several new restaurants and food hall outlets are also planned for the off-Strip casino. While names haven’t been shared, the company says the additions will complement existing dining options.

Even though the current expansion adds more than 200 slots, the 152,000-square-foot expansion will include 400 more. Hopefully, Station Casinos will reconfigure the floor to space out some machines that make the casino feel a bit too cramped.

This phase will also include multiple entertainment venues. The company didn’t specify what those will be, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Durango becomes home to another Stoney’s country venue. Sunset Station added a Stoney’s earlier this year, and Santa Fe Station also has one too.

If construction begins on schedule in January 2026, it should be ready for guests around July 2027. 

Red Rock Resorts Reports Record Earnings

Along with the news of the expansion, Red Rock Resorts reported record third-quarter earnings while Strip casino operators like Caesars struggled. The company posted its highest quarterly net revenue and adjusted earnings in its 49-year history.

This isn’t a fluke. Red Rock has now logged nine straight quarters of record net revenue, and five consecutive quarters of record adjusted earnings. Net revenue rose 1.6% to $475.6 million, while adjusted earnings climbed 4.5% to $190.9 million.

Stephen Cootey, Red Rock’s chief financial officer, credited the company’s continued investment strategy of "reinvesting in properties to enhance amenities" as the catalyst for the impressive results.

That focus helps explain the additions of a movie theater, bowling alley, and more slot space. Cootey also noted the difference between the Strip and the company’s market:

“Unlike the Strip, it doesn't rely on heavy tourism, doesn't rely on conventions, nor is it hotel-driven,” said Cootey. “Instead, our locals' market is anchored by a gaming-centric business model that offers value propositions to both local guests as well as out-of-town guests.”

He also noted that Durango is on pace to become one of the company’s most profitable casinos.