After years of delays, Hollywood Casino in Kansas City is finally considering constructing a new hotel. The casino, which officially opened in 2012, had initially planned to start building the hotel in 2014. However, due to regulatory and taxation changes in Kansas, the company was unable to break ground on the project.

Developers also expressed concerns that a new hotel in the area would negatively impact other hospitality properties nearby. As a result, the original $200 million plan for a 250-room hotel was put on hold, leading Hollywood Casino to pay millions of dollars in damages to cover unrealized tax growth. By the end of 2023, the casino had paid over a dozen million dollars in penalties.

Now, a decade later, the hotel project may finally be back on track. The casino management is exploring new construction plans, as the company seeks an extension of its contract to continue operating the casino. Aaron Rosenthal, Penn’s senior vice president of regional operations, stated that the timing is now right to move forward with building the hotel. He emphasized that the team at Hollywood Casino has never forgotten about the original plans.

It seems that Hollywood Casino is determined to align its property with its vision of providing a resort experience near the Kansas Speedway racetrack. The potential construction of the new hotel would bring this vision one step closer to reality. Stay tuned for more updates as the project progresses.