Florida-headquartered casino operator Hard Rock International (HRI) has announced that the company is mulling plans to close its Las Vegas-based The Mirage Hotel & Casino for several months to make the property larger and equip it with new amenities.

The project that is expected to cost the company billions of dollars will most probably start either in late 2023 or early 2024.

It is worth-mentioning here that the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), the Silver State’s gaming regulator, recently recommended approval of the Hard Rock’s 1.08 billion acquisition of The Mirage from MGM Resorts International. However, BetMGM will keep on managing the gambling-friendly property’s race and sportsbook.

James Allen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of HRI, expressed contentment that the gaming regulator recommendation for approval of the acquisition, and said that his company would move forward to take the next step with the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC).

If the NGC approves the acquisition of the Mirage by HRI in its upcoming meeting on 22nd of December, the new operator, which is owned the federally-recognized Seminole Indian Tribe, several major changes will be made to the property.

Announcing future plans for the property, Allen revealed that hotel and casino at the resort will be expanded to offer more rooms and greater gaming space to customers.

Revealing the plans, Allen said, “If the sale is approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission on December 22, when the resort expands, it will increase from 3.044 rooms The Mirage has to 3.640 rooms under the Hard Rock brand. It will also expand the casino from 94.000 square feet to 174.000 square feet and the convention space from 200.000 feet to 283.000 square feet.”

Currently, the casino has 836 slot machines. This number will be increased to 2,000, while the number of table games will roughly be quadrupled from 51 to 212.

The project will also result in the expansion of its theater from 3,278 seats to 6,265. At the same time, the number of food & beverage outlets will be boosted from 18 to 21.

The expanded and revamped casino resort will likely be reopened under HRI’s management in late 2025 or early 2026. All current employees will be able claim their respective jobs. In addition, the expansion of the property will give birth to new employment opportunities.