Poker Writer
The Poker Palace Casino in North Las Vegas will close on October 1, after 51 years in business.
The small establishment caters to residents more than tourists. In fact, the casino’s tagline is “Locals Play Here” and it advertises a neighborly, hospitable atmosphere. It has been around since 1974, and 2025 will be its final year of operation.
Located near Nellis Air Force Base, the Poker Palace Casino offers several casino classics like slot machines, bingo, table games, and sports betting. However, it is also a cosy poker destination as its name suggests, with live poker tournaments every Friday and Saturday night. Roughly ten of the employees who will be affected by the closure are poker dealers.
It also boasts an extensive array of video poker machines alongside the slots.
The on-site restaurant is “Maddy’s Paddy Cafe,” which offers a $13 prime rib special the same nights as the poker tournaments.
Property being sold, 126 jobs lost
The last day of operation for the casino will be September 30, which will also be the last day of work for the employees. A total of 126 jobs across 38 roles will be lost due to the closure, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The employees have been a major selling point for the casino, which dedicates a significant portion of the Poker Palace casino website to highlighting its customer service.
The property is reportedly going to be sold, according to a letter from the Worker Adjustment and Retaining Notification Act. It’s unclear whether it will reopen as a gambling property under new management, or whether there are other plans for the site.
The website appears not to have been updated recently, referencing “the last 44 years” since 1974 (which suggests the text was written in 2018). It waxes nostalgic about the casino’s humble beginnings:
The Poker Palace was established in 1974. At that time it had one bar with one blackjack table, eight slot machines and two pool tables. The entire casino was approximately 700-square-foot, the size of a studio apartment.
Image Credit: Thomas Hawk via Flickr (license)
