Bally’s Kansas City Casino’s $40 Million Expansion Project Moves Inside

Written By Jarrett Huff on March 29, 2023
Baily's Kansas City Casino renovation project moves forward

Bally’s Kansas City Casino’s $40 million retail and dining expansion continues to make progress, as earlier this month the final steel beam was put in place. Construction on the casino’s interior should begin in May.

Bally’s Corporation acquired the former river boat-themed Casino KC in a $230 million deal in 2020. In August 2021, renovation began on the casino, adding several new amenities with the 35,596 square-foot expansion, as well as giving the casino a modernized exterior design.

The current expansion project should reach completion by the fall. The next phase will include building a hotel and also an amphitheater on the property.

Two new lounges have already opened from expansion project

Missouri has 13 “riverboat” casinos, as some are actual riverboats on the Missouri or Mississippi rivers, while others are rafts that float on manmade water pits. Missouri online casinos are illegal, except for social and sweepstakes casinos that do not use real money.

Bally’s Kansas City is replacing its riverboat theme with illuminated steel frames and fabric panels. Inside, there will be an expanded casino floor and also upgrades to existing features.

Since construction started in 2021, the casino’s goal has been to improve guest experiences by making Bally’s Kansas City Casino a standout venue. Michael Donovan, regional VP and general manager of Midwest properties with Bally’s Corporation, is excited about the project.

“We are proud to transform our Bally’s Kansas City property into a best-in-class casino. We look forward to creating new excitement for our guests and introducing new amenities, dining and gaming experiences.”

Some additions are already open.

  • 1800 Baccarat Lounge, an Asian-themed gaming lounge with a noodle bar
  • Celebrity Casino & Lounge, an exclusive lounge on the casino’s second floor that features slots, gaming tables and also live entertainment

A few additions will be opening in the next few months.

  • Bally’s Tiki Bar, a tiki-themed central bar for the casino expected to open Memorial Day weekend
  • Chickie’s & Pete’s Crabhouse and Sports Bar

In January, the Kansas City officials approved plans for the opening of Sugar Factory within the casino. Sugar Factory is an American brasserie and candy shop concept.

Bally’s plans more expansion along with Berkley Riverfront additions

Beyond the current expansion process, plans are in place to add a seven-story, 150-room hotel to the property. The development will also feature a 3,000-seat amphitheater, along with an expansion to the casino’s parking garage.

Aside from Bally’s Kansas City Casino-related additions to the waterfront, an 11,500-seat soccer stadium for the NWSL’s Kansas City Current broke ground in October. The $118 million project is expected to be completed by March 2024 and will be the first stadium in the US developed specifically for women’s soccer.

Along with the stadium, a $29 million boutique-fitness hotel will also be making its way to the riverfront by possibly the winter. Two hundred and fifty-four new apartments are in pre-development at the Berkley Riverfront’s Parcel 12B. A rail extension of the streetcar line to the riverfront is expected to begin this summer.

Photo by Bally's Kansas City Casino/Courtesy
Jarrett Huff Avatar
Written by
Jarrett Huff

View all posts by Jarrett Huff