In a significant setback for the Las Vegas Sands’ ambitious plans to develop a multi-billion dollar resort and casino around the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, a state judge has declared that the company lacks a valid lease for the Coliseum and its surrounding land.

Story continues below

State Supreme Court Justice Sarika Kapoor, the same judge who previously invalidated Sands’ lease with Nassau County in November, ruled that an additional agreement Sands had with the Coliseum’s previous leaseholder is also invalid.

Friday’s legal ruling is the latest development in a heated ongoing battle between Hofstra University, Nassau County and Las Vegas Sands.

Last April, Hofstra filed a lawsuit asserting that the county violated the state’s open meetings laws when the Nassau County Legislature approved the lease transfer from the Coliseum’s former tenant, Nassau Live Center LLC, to Sands that same month.