- Electric Playhouse, an interactive gaming venue at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
- The shocking filing comes just four months after the high-tech attraction opened its doors in June 2024.
- The company listed between $1 million and $10 million in both assets and liabilities.
- This bankruptcy is a rare occurrence for a business operating on the highly successful Las Vegas Strip.
Shock on the Strip: Newest Venue Files for Bankruptcy
In a move that has stunned observers, Electric Playhouse, the innovative interactive gaming attraction at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing, lodged on October 20 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada, comes a mere four months after its celebrated grand opening on June 22, 2024, raising questions about the viability of new entertainment concepts in the competitive Las Vegas market.
A High-Tech Dream Meets Financial Reality
The Albuquerque-based parent company revealed in its petition that it holds between $1 million and $10 million in assets and liabilities. While the specific reasons for the financial distress were not disclosed in the filing, the move allows Electric Playhouse to reorganize its finances while continuing operations.
The venue was launched with significant fanfare, promising a unique entertainment alternative. “In a world where passively sitting in front of screens… is all too common, Electric Playhouse provides an active, social and energetic entertainment alternative,” CEO and co-founder Brandon Garrett said in a statement at the time of the opening. The goal was to “re-energize the way people of all ages interact with technology.”
What is Electric Playhouse?
Spanning 10,000 square feet, Electric Playhouse offered a distinct experience where visitors’ bodies became the game controllers. Using a network of sensors and 360-degree projection mapping, the walls, floors, and tables reacted to movement, creating immersive games and dining experiences without the need for headsets or gadgets. The venue, which does not offer gambling, also featured:
- An outdoor patio with views of the Strip.
- A bar and restaurant named Electric Elixirs.
- Immersive dining events, such as “Teatime in Wonderland” curated by celebrity chefs.
A Rare Failure on the Las Vegas Strip
Business bankruptcies are exceptionally uncommon on the bustling Las Vegas Strip. The last major casino operator to seek such protection was Caesars Entertainment back in 2015, which used the process to shed approximately $16 billion in debt. While smaller, off-Strip properties have faced financial troubles, a failure of a new, high-profile venue within a prime location like The Forum Shops is a significant and worrying event for the industry.
Electric Playhouse operates independently and is not owned by Caesars Entertainment or the mall’s owner, Simon Property Group. As it navigates the Chapter 11 process, the future of this ambitious interactive world remains uncertain, serving as a cautionary tale in the high-stakes world of Las Vegas entertainment.