Station Casinos Eyes Bigger Sportsbook Presence With Strategic Nevada Expansion

Station Casinos is getting ready to plant deeper roots in Nevada’s sports betting landscape — this time adding the Las Vegas Strip to its footprint.

The company confirmed Thursday it’s teaming up with Mesquite Gaming LLC and Treasure Island Las Vegas to take over sportsbook operations at three properties: Casablanca Resort & Casino, Virgin River Casino & Lodge, and Treasure Island. The move signals a significant expansion of Station’s STN Sportsbook brand, putting it in front of more tourists and locals alike.

It’s not just a branding move. The partnerships would operate under a revenue-sharing agreement, pending regulatory approval.

A New Chapter for Station — And the Strip

Until now, Station Casinos has largely focused on locals casinos, staying off the Strip. That changes with Treasure Island.

This isn’t just a box-checking exercise. Treasure Island is a major property. Sitting on prime real estate along Las Vegas Boulevard, the venue attracts both sports bettors and casual gamblers by the thousands.

Virgin River and Casablanca, both in Mesquite — a quieter, out-of-the-way Nevada town near the Arizona border — are a different story. But they have loyal followings, and their sportsbooks keep a steady pulse. By stepping in, Station is diversifying its base while keeping one foot firmly in the locals’ market.

It’s a big play. A smart one, too.

Regulatory Green Light? We’ll Know Soon

This isn’t a done deal yet — not officially. The Nevada Gaming Control Board is scheduled to go over the licensing applications on April 10. If they like what they see, the matter moves to the Nevada Gaming Commission for final approval on April 24.

Things could move fast from there.

A Station Casinos spokesperson said they’re not putting out a timeline yet. Details about financial terms? Still under wraps. That’s typical in deals like this. But behind closed doors, talks are reportedly smooth.

One sentence from a spokesperson summed it up: “We’ll share more when the time is right.”

Revenue Sharing: A Mutually Beneficial Bet

Here’s where it gets interesting — the revenue-sharing model.

Rather than buying out operations or taking over fully, Station Casinos is opting for a shared approach with Mesquite Gaming and Treasure Island. That means the current casino operators keep a slice of the pie while Station steps in with the tech, infrastructure, and branding.

Here’s how the current setup looks:

Property Current Operator Proposed Sportsbook Partner Location
Casablanca Resort & Casino Mesquite Gaming LLC Station Casinos (STN) Mesquite, NV
Virgin River Casino & Lodge Mesquite Gaming LLC Station Casinos (STN) Mesquite, NV
Treasure Island Las Vegas In-house operation Station Casinos (STN) Las Vegas Strip

This kind of structure helps everyone hedge their bets — especially in a market that’s increasingly competitive.

Why This Move Matters

Station’s STN Sportsbook platform has been gaining traction, but it’s largely operated from Station’s own properties — Red Rock, Green Valley Ranch, and others sprinkled throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

So what’s the big deal about these three new venues?

Here’s what this move brings:

  • A fresh entry point into the Strip without building from scratch

  • A testbed in Mesquite to fine-tune operations outside the Vegas metro

  • Broader brand visibility for STN Sports in high-traffic areas

This isn’t just about expansion — it’s about adaptability.

The Strip has always been a tougher nut to crack for Station. With Treasure Island, they finally break through — without having to build a new casino or make a huge upfront capital investment.

Bigger Picture: A Hot Sportsbook Market

Let’s zoom out for a second.

Nevada’s sportsbook scene has seen a shakeup over the past five years. With more U.S. states legalizing sports betting, competition is fierce. Local operators like Circa Sports and William Hill have been jockeying for control, especially in the mobile betting space.

But Station is playing the long game. They’ve been upgrading their STN Sports app, leaning into live betting, and adding prop bets. This expansion could help them grab a larger piece of the pie without overstretching.

One insider familiar with the talks said Station isn’t stopping here. “They’re going to test this, see how it performs, and then think bigger.”

What’s Next?

No one’s saying this out loud yet, but if this rollout goes well, don’t be surprised if Station looks for more deals — possibly even outside of Nevada. They’ve been known to move quietly, then strike big.

For now, it’s all eyes on April 10 and April 24. If the regulators give the thumbs up, expect STN branding to start popping up at these casinos shortly after.

And then? The race continues.

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