Irving residents were surprised to arrive at the March 20 City Council meeting only to find that the evening’s agenda had been changed at the last minute.
Around two hours before the meeting began, word spread that representatives from Las Vegas Sands Corporation had requested a withdrawal of the rezoning action item that might have allowed casino gaming to come to Irving.
Assistant City Manager Philip Sanders formally announced the withdrawal during the early moments of the City Council meeting. When the amended agenda was presented, revealing that the line item regarding gambling language had been removed, applause erupted from segments of the audience.
City of Irving, City Council: 03/20/2025 agenda, image by Kellen Jones/DX
This action came after weeks of overwhelming public opposition at town halls and Planning & Zoning Commission meetings. Casino opponents raised concerns that there would be increases in crime, addiction, and human trafficking if the Las Vegas Sands Corporation were permitted to build a casino on the land near the former Dallas Cowboys Stadium.
Proponents of the casino, such as Las Vegas Sands Corporation Senior Vice President Andrew Abboud, argued that a casino would bring economic stimulation and thousands of jobs to Irving. However, the pro-casino side was plagued by revelations that many of their supporters appeared to be paid protestors who had signed non-disclosure agreements and, at times, applauded the wrong side during public hearings, The Dallas Express reported.
The public’s reactions as the meeting began were jubilant.
“We appreciate that the people’s voices were heard and acknowledged,” Imaam Saeed Purcell told DX. “We must continue pressure to keep gambling out of Irving and Texas.”
Councilman Luis Canosa (D-4), who had been at odds with the Sands, explained the significance of striking the gambling measure. He said tonight’s vote could now allow a development project for a destination resort and/or convention center to “pass without the gambling.”
Canosa said he plans to make a motion to make gambling a prohibited item so that the council will have more difficulty revisiting the subject in the future.
Chandler Jackson initially came to the meeting to oppose the casino rezoning and decided to pray over those in attendance. She compared casinos to big pharma and said that both have hurt Americans for the enrichment of a small set of corporations.
“Not all that glitters is gold,” Chandler said. Her prayer was for wisdom for all in attendance.
City of Irving sign outside of venue – banning posters – 03/20/2025, image by Kellen Jones/DX
The City of Irving had banned political signs and posters before the meeting, making it difficult to identify grassroots pro-casino supporters. Abboud and a variety of pro-casino figures were in attendance, but DX was unable to obtain a comment before publication.