Truckee Gaming to Renovate Poker Palace Casino in North Las Vegas
The Poker Palace, a staple of North Las Vegas since the 1970s, will shut its doors on October 1 as it transitions to new ownership under Reno-based Truckee Gaming. The property is slated for a top-to-bottom renovation, with plans to reopen in the first half of 2026 sporting a new theme, updated amenities, and a redesigned layout.
Poker Palace to Close as Truckee Gaming Finalizes Las Vegas Expansion
Opened in 1974 and run by the Coleman family for over 50 years, the Poker Palace has long served locals from its spot on Las Vegas Boulevard North. But come October, that chapter will close – at least temporarily. A state labor filing confirms that approximately 126 employees will be affected. Most hourly staff will be laid off during the renovation, though salaried employees, including management and security, will shift over to Truckee’s nearby Club Fortune property in Henderson.
This is Truckee Gaming’s first step into the Las Vegas market. And while the company operates ten casinos across the state – mostly in smaller northern towns, such as Fernley, Verdi, and Yerington – its only other southern outpost is Club Fortune.
At a recent meeting of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Truckee’s legal representative, Michael Alonso, described the acquisition as a strategic opportunity. The board approved a limited license for the company, and its final licensing will be issued once renovations are complete and the property is ready to reopen.
North Las Vegas Casino Set for Complete Overhaul and New Theme
Truckee’s plans for the Poker Palace go beyond surface upgrades. The renovation will include a new exterior with a reimagined theme, a complete interior overhaul, and a realignment of the main entrance to better connect with the parking lot. Plans also call for an expanded casino floor, new ceilings and flooring, and fully updated restrooms.
Not to mention, there will be back-of-house improvements, more office space, a larger bar layout, and a revamped guest services center. The kitchen will also be expanded to support a 32-seat quick-serve restaurant.
Pete McHugh, Truckee Gaming’s chief operating officer, told regulators the goal is to make Poker Palace more competitive in the local market. “We can put ourselves in position to draw more clientele to it with just a better strategy and reinvestment,” he said.
New slot machines and updated systems are also part of the plan. Security staff will remain on-site during the closure to monitor the facility as work gets underway. Even though the casino has seen limited investment in recent years, Truckee says it intends to modernize the venue without discarding its legacy. Originally opened as Bunny’s Bar in the 1950s, the Poker Palace has been part of North Las Vegas for generations. If the timeline holds, it will reopen by mid-2026 – refreshed, rebranded, and ready to meet the next era of gaming on the city’s north side.