Truckee Gaming set to acquire and remodel Poker Palace Casino in North Las Vegas

The Poker Palace Casino in North Las Vegas is preparing to close its doors after more than 50 years of operation, as new owner Truckee Gaming moves ahead with plans for a major renovation.

On Wednesday, the Nevada Gaming Control Board recommended a limited license for Reno-based Truckee Gaming, clearing the way for the sale to proceed. The Nevada Gaming Commission will now consider final approval.

Truckee Gaming, which operates 10 casinos in Nevada, including Club Fortune in Henderson, intends to finalize the purchase on October 1 and immediately shut down the Poker Palace for remodeling. The property, first opened in 1974, has been under the same ownership for its entire history.

Truckee attorney Michael Alonso said the deal, signed in May, includes all assets of the Poker Palace, excess land, and an adjacent building leased to the state of Nevada. He told regulators that the company plans an extensive remodel funded through operational cash flow.

The renovations will feature a redesigned exterior and interior, expanded gaming floor, remodeled restrooms, and additional back-of-house office space. The kitchen will be enlarged to accommodate a quick-service restaurant with 32 seats, while the main entrance will be realigned to better connect with the parking area.

Pete McHugh, Chief Operating Officer of Truckee Gaming, told the Board that the Poker Palace had been undercapitalized for years and that the plan is “to bring it into the light, with some refreshed slots, systems, and refreshed technology.” He added that updated food offerings would also help reposition the property within the local community.

“We can put ourselves in a position to draw more clientele with a better strategy and capital investment,” McHugh said.

Once renovations are complete, Truckee will return to the Board for full licensing approval. The company aims to reopen the property in the first or second quarter of 2026.

During the closure, most hourly employees will be laid off, with a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act letter filed July 29 indicating 126 job losses. Some managers will be temporarily reassigned to Truckee’s Henderson property before returning once the Poker Palace reopens.

The Board unanimously recommended approval of the transaction, which now moves to the Nevada Gaming Commission for a final decision.