On November 21, 1980, the MGM Grand was the site of one of the worst high-rise fires in United States history, in which 85 people died.

The MGM Grand was rebuilt at a cost of $50 million, and eventually reopened on July 29, 1981, with new fire safety features in place.

In 2023, it was announced that the resort would lose its Jubilee Tower to Paris Las Vegas, thus reducing the number of rooms at Horseshoe.

[23] The casino became popular for its country music acts, and singer Buck Owens made his Las Vegas Strip debut there in 1969.

[42][44] The resort also had shops,[41] eight restaurants,[42] 25 bars,[45] a movie theater which initially showed only classic MGM films,[38][46] five entertainment lounges, and 145,000 sq ft (13,500 m2) of convention space.

[43] A few days after the opening, character actor Chill Wills, who had been a contract player for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during the 1940s, became the first person to get married at the new resort.

[59] Over the next eight months, the other MGM Grand facilities were rebuilt at a cost of $50 million, which included the implementation of new fire safety features.

[68] In late 1985, Bally Manufacturing announced plans to purchase the Las Vegas MGM and its Reno counterpart.

[75] In 1993, Bally's announced plans to create a new entrance along the Las Vegas Strip, on a three-acre property that was being used as a resort parking lot.

[89] Bally's exterior received new paint, including the addition of blue stripes, to make it more presentable for the opening of Paris.

[90] Park Place began a renovation of Bally's in 2000, including a modernization of the hotel rooms, casino floor, convention space, and restaurants.

[104] The Bally's Steakhouse, a well-known eatery, was closed to make way for a larger restaurant called BLT Steak.

[106][107] At the end of 2013, construction began on a new Bally's shopping mall called Grand Bazaar, based on the market of the same name in Istanbul.

The outdoor mall was built on two acres of land along the Las Vegas Strip, replacing the moving-walkway entrance.

[111] For several years, the Grand Bazaar Shops included a Starbucks with bleacher seating and a large movie screen, the only location to have such features.

[112][113] At 4,000 sq ft (370 m2), it was the third largest Starbucks in the U.S.[114] Bars and restaurants were added to the mall in 2016, to increase customer attendance.

The casino floor received a spacious new layout, and the poker room was updated to include 4 new tables for a total of 18.

[134] In 2022, Bally's and Paris became the first Strip properties to host the World Series of Poker,[100][127] an annual event which debuted at Binion's Horseshoe in 1970.

[42] The Ziegfeld featured productions by famed Las Vegas choreographer Donn Arden, including Hallelujah Hollywood, which ran until 1980.

[143][144] A motorcycle stunt show by Nitro Circus was to replace Jubilee!,[145] although it was put on hold and ultimately never opened.

[146][147] Sergio Franchi was the first entertainer signed to star in the Celebrity Room (three-year contract starting February 1974).

[citation needed] Other notable performers at the resort have included Lou Rawls,[149] Sam Kinison,[150][151] Andrew Dice Clay,[150] Bob Dylan,[152][153] Liza Minnelli,[154][155] Taylor Hicks,[156][157] and Dionne Warwick.

[168] During 2012, The Amazing Johnathan hosted a magic show in a space formerly used for the resort's buffet,[169][170] which had closed several years earlier.

[176][177][178] An audience participation game show, titled Miss Behave, debuted at Bally's in 2017,[179] and ended three years later.

[180] Masters of Illusion, a magic show based on the television series of the same name, began its run at the Jubilee Theater in 2017.

It had previously operated across the street at Bill's Gambling Hall and Saloon, which was now undergoing renovations, prompting the temporary relocation of Drais.

[192][193] In June 2014, Victor Drai turned the Bally's location into Liaison, a club catering to a gay clientele.

[196][197] In 2016, singer John Rich opened a country music club at the Grand Bazaar Shops called Redneck Riviera,[198] which eventually closed in 2018.

[199] In 2024, singer Blake Shelton opened Ole Red,[200][201] a four-story country themed restaurant, bar and entertainment venue.

However, the project was shelved after MGM film executives realized that director Norman Jewison would have final cut privilege.