Tatum Goetting
Editorial Assistant

Casino KC, previously Isle of Capri Casino, announced another rebranding in an August 2 press release. The casino, which will soon undergo major renovations, will be called Bally’s. The Rhode Island-based casino-entertainment company Bally Corporation (NYSE: BALY) announced Monday that it is changing the property’s name to Bally’s Kansas City Casino.

Bally’s replaced its exterior entrance sign on August 2, but the property-wide rebrand is expected to be completed during the first half of 2022. The rebrand will include new Bally’s dice, cards, gaming chips and table game layouts.

This news comes two weeks after Bally’s Corporation’s announcement of a $40 million land-based property expansion that features national restaurant brands like Sugar Factory and Chickie’s and Pete’s sports bar. This expansion includes a renovation of the casino’s riverboat-themed exterior. The company will replace it with modernized, color-changing, angled panels and a 35,569 square foot retail and dining frontal addition.

To commemorate the rebrand, Bally’s Kansas City Casino will host an official groundbreaking ceremony August 18 at 11 a.m. Festivities will include live entertainment, food samples, speeches by local officials and presentations by Bally’s executives. The event is open to the public.

“We are proud to bring the Bally’s brand to Kansas City as part of what we believe will be a transformative redevelopment,” President and CEO of Bally’s Corporation George Papanier said. “This represents an exciting time for our customers as we have several new and engaging experiences planned for the property which will generate additional excitement on the Berkley Riverfront. I’d like to thank the State of Missouri for its collaboration throughout this process, and I’d also like to recognize our team members for their contributions to this significant endeavor.”

In July of 2020, Isle of Capri Casino transitioned to new ownership, and plans were made for a $61 million redevelopment. Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc. acquired the casino on July 1 from Eldorado Resorts, which was preparing for a $17.3 billion merger with Caesars Entertainment Corp.

“We expect to substantially reposition the casino in this market and transform the facility to match the wonderful area in which it is located,” Papanier said following the announcement last summer. “We are working diligently on these enhancements and expect to announce our construction plans in the near future.”

Last year, Jon Stephens, president and CEO of Port KC, voiced his support for reinvestment in the casino as a way to further boost the riverfront area.

In recent years, Port KC has added new apartments and recreational amenities along the southern edge of the Missouri River. The Berkley Riverfront Park between the Kit Bond Bridge and Heart of America Bridge on the south bank of the Missouri River includes a paved trail that terminates at the casino.

Created as a port authority by the Missouri Legislature, Port KC’s mission is to grow Kansas City’s economy through transportation, logistics and revitalization, including reestablishing waterborne commerce to the city.

“This is downtown’s casino, so to speak,” Stephens said in an interview. “And so if they’re willing to invest, we do think it helps to secure the long-term growth and availability of the greater riverfront.”

The Kansas City Streetcar Authority has plans for an expansion to the riverfront. Stephens said a stop near the casino could one day serve as a transportation hub, providing a place for riders to park their cars and hop on the streetcar to go downtown, or board a bus for Kansas City International Airport.