Inside Durango Casino and Resort: Las Vegas's new $780 million, 15-story casino built miles away from famous Sin City strip is just for LOCALS

A new $780 million casino and hotel has opened in Las Vegas with a day-long celebration and a nighttime fireworks display. 

The Durango Casino and Resort was built about 10 miles away from the famous Sin City strip and will target locals rather than tourists.

The 15-story hotel, with more than 200 rooms and suites, is Station Casinos' 17th property.

A stunning fireworks display by Grucci lit up the Vegas sky on Tuesday night to mark the casino's opening.

The last casino to open in the party town was the $4.3 billion Resorts World in 2021. 

The Durango Casino and Resort was built about 10 miles away from the famous Sin City strip for it to be a hot spot for locals rather than tourists visiting the city

The resort has been designed as a contemporary desert oasis that combines a mid-century modern aesthetic with Vegas glitz

Upon entry, guests will find 15-foot ceilings and a striking sculpture of polished brass called 'Ghost Vines' by Brooklyn-based artist Teresita Fernández

The 15-story hotel, with over 200 rooms and suites, is Station Casinos' 17th property

One of the first people to enter the resort was Michelle Marshall, who lives in a neighborhood near Durango.

'This will actually be my second time in because I have friends who invited me for family-and-friends night. 

'I really like this place because you can see outside and it’s just so bright compared to other places. And it’s a lot closer for me. Now I won’t have to go over to Red Rock,' she said.

Joshie Jacobs, who moved to Las Vegas from California, said: 'I don’t have a problem going down to the Strip, but this is so convenient and so nice.' 

One visitor who lives a mile away from Durango described the casino as 'absolutely beautiful'. 

One of the first people to enter the resort was Michelle Marshall, who lives in a neighborhood near Durango said: 'I really like this place because you can see outside and it’s just so bright compared to other places. And it’s a lot closer for me. Now I won’t have to go over to Red Rock'

Joshie Jacobs, who moved to Las Vegas from California, said: 'I don’t have a problem going down to the Strip, but this is so convenient and so nice'

Vice President and General Manager, David Horn said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony: 'We continue to be recognized as the employer of choice in the Valley as recognized by Nevada's top workplaces. We're excited to usher in a new era of casinos and resorts.'

Vice President and General Manager, David Horn said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony: 'When we open up in a new neighborhood, we quickly become a part of the community. 

'We continue to be recognized as the employer of choice in the Valley as recognized by Nevada's top workplaces. We're excited to usher in a new era of casinos and resorts.' 

Durango has been designed as a contemporary desert oasis that combines a mid-century modern aesthetic with Vegas glitz. 

Upon entry, guests will find 15-foot ceilings and a striking sculpture of polished brass called 'Ghost Vines' by Brooklyn-based artist Teresita Fernández. 

The casino is spread over 83,000 square feet with 2,300 slot games, over 60 tables for card games and three private high-limit salons. 

The resort also has a captivating 205-seat sportsbook with an impressive circular bar with convenient betting options for visitors. 

The hotel boasts 209 rooms and 29 suites built with hand-carved stone, wood, and warm metal accents 

The casino is spread over 83,000 square feet with 2,300 slot games, over 60 tables for card games and three private high-limit salons

Table games include blackjack, baccarat, carnival-style games, roulette, craps and electronic table games

For the true sports enthusiast, the sportsbook has six screens with over 4,200 square feet of digital LED screen space and the first ever double-sided center-hung LED display, ensuring high-resolution imagery from every vantage point. 

The hotel boasts 209 rooms and 29 suites built with hand-carved stone, wood, and warm metal accents. 

The gym also has an array of Matrix Fitness equipment and colorful LEDs illuminate the pool at night.

The resort's food scene is also noteworthy. Its flagship restaurant, Nicco’s Steakhouse, focuses on Hokkaido snow beef cuts. 

In contrast, its other restaurant, Summer House by the Lettuce Entertain You Group, brings house-made pastas, pizzas, live-fire roasted fare and their iconic oversized cookies. 

Summer House by the Lettuce Entertain You Group, brings house-made pastas, pizzas, live-fire roasted fare and their iconic oversized cookies to visitors 

There is also a 'Eat Your Heart Out' food hall with 11 mini-restaurants, stalls, and bars

Tucked farther inside the resort is the property's 1,000-square-foot speakeasy, Wax Rabbit, proffering more extravagant libations and ‘80s vinyl.

There is also a food hall named 'Eat Your Heart Out' with 11 mini-restaurants, stalls, and bars.

Other amenities in the sprawling hotel include a poolside oasis where people can bask in the sun, relax and dance to music. 

Called Bel-Aire Backyard, the pool also has a special VIP experience, complete with private cabanas, oversized daybeds and pool chairs. 

Durango's stint as the newest resort in Sin City will be short lived as next week, the $3.7 billion, 67-story Fontainebleau is due to open at the north end of the strip.