Ellis Island Casino owners sue over 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix issues

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The owners of Ellis Island Casino are suing over last year's Las Vegas Grand Prix, alleging the traffic issues created by the Formula One race cost it millions of dollars in business.

Three companies that collectively own Ellis Island filed the lawsuit in Clark County District Court last month, naming the Grand Prix and Clark County as defendants.

According to the complaint, representatives for the Grand Prix repeatedly gave conflicting information on road work and how it would affect Ellis Island, which is located on Koval Lane south of Flamingo Road.

"Plaintiffs' reasonable and justified business expectations were substantially interfered with, compromised, and adversely impacted as a result of the acts and omissions of F1 and Clark County," the lawsuit alleges.

It was said in July 2023 that initial track paving on Koval Lane would take place in July and August, followed by final track paving in October. However, paving was inconsistently times between June and September with no notice given, the complaint alleges.

Ellis Island says it had to pay for traffic flaggers to minimize the traffic build-up from blocking entrances to the casino. There were also disputes regarding road work that blocked the entrance to Ellis Island and a pedestrian overpass, as well as rideshare access at the property.

The complaint alleges that in November during "hot track testing," road flaggers working for the Grand Prix "were reported to have turned away scores of customers, employees, and vendors of Ellis Island, stating to them that the entrance road to Ellis Island is closed."

until February, which continued to hampered business, Ellis Island alleges.

Clark County declined to comment, with a spokesperson saying the county does not comment on pending litigation.

The casino's ownership is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from a jury trial.

News 3 has reached out to Clark County and the Grand Prix for comment.