North Las Vegas’ Poker Palace casino may be getting a new lease on life.
In August, ownership announced it was closing the property in October. But Truckee Gaming bought the hotel-less casino and plans to renovate it. The Reno-based gaming company wants to reopen Poker Palace in 2026.
“We believe … we can put ourselves in position to draw more clientele to (the property) with just a better strategy and capital reinvestment,” Truckee COO Pete McHugh told the Nevada Gaming Control Board last week.
Renovations Are A Complete Overhaul
Truckee asked board members to approve a limited nonrestricted license. It would allow the casino to be temporarily close and still remain complaint with gaming regulations.
Poker Palace opened in 1974 and Truckee plans on adding new slots and gaming systems, a redesigned bar, a larger restaurant and kitchen, updated restrooms, and new exterior and interiors to help attract local gamblers.
“We can put ourselves in position to draw more clientele with just a better strategy and reinvestment,” said McHugh.
Company officials said security personnel will be on site during the renovation. Truckee operates 10 casinos, mostly in the northern part of the state. But it also runs Club Fortune in Henderson.
The new ownership group said it would keep salaried employees, security officers, and key management employees on the payroll. Managers will work out of the Club Fortune property until the renovations are complete.
Previously, Poker Palace had 126 employees. It’s unknown if the others will remain after the overhaul. The NGCB approved the license request, and now the Nevada Gaming Commission will make the final approval.
As for poker, it seems likely the room will stay open. However, the new ownership group hasn’t announced whether it will reopen the room. Considering the casino’s name, running a poker room seems very likely.
The trend towards closing poker rooms seems to have reversed in recent years. Caesars Palace reopened their room in May, Planet Hollywood opened its new room just a few weeks earlier.
Foxwoods Resort Casino in southeastern Connecticut cut the ribbon on its new poker room last week.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
