North Las Vegas Casino Sold for $9.4 Million, Major Renovation Planned

The Poker Palace Casino in North Las Vegas has been sold for over $9.4 million, as confirmed by Clark County records. This sale encompasses the land and building but does not include the gaming operations. The buyer, Truckee Gaming LLC, based in Reno, reported to Nevada gaming regulators last month that the total purchase price for the Poker Palace was actually $20 million.

Plans for the property include a comprehensive renovation, which is set to commence immediately. Truckee Gaming aims to reopen the casino in early 2026. The company, which already operates several casinos in Northern Nevada and one in Henderson, is significantly investing in transforming the Poker Palace. The renovation will feature a complete interior and exterior remodel, new slot machines and gaming systems, a redesigned bar, expanded restaurant and kitchen space, modernized restrooms, and a revitalized poker room. The Poker Palace originally opened on Las Vegas Boulevard North in 1974.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas Earns Michelin Award

In another significant development on the Las Vegas Strip, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas has received the prestigious One-Key distinction in the 2025 Michelin Guide. This award makes it the only gaming resort in Nevada to earn such recognition. The luxury hotel-casino, which opened in December 2023, has been lauded for its bold design and exceptional accommodations.

The Michelin Key is modeled after the Michelin Star system for restaurants and serves to highlight outstanding hotels. Properties are evaluated on five criteria: excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, distinct personality and character, value for the price, and their contribution to the surrounding setting. Fontainebleau features an impressive 3,644 rooms and suites, 150,000 square feet of gaming space, and a variety of restaurants and retail outlets, alongside pools, nightlife venues, and a full-service spa.

Legal Developments in Gaming Sector

In legal news, Light & Wonder Inc. has been ordered to provide some of its math models related to hold-and-spin games released since 2021 to Aristocrat Technologies Inc. U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro granted Aristocrat’s renewed motion in its copyright infringement lawsuit against the Las Vegas-based gaming company. The court previously denied a similar motion.

“While we are disappointed with the court’s ruling, we remain confident, based on the expert review we previously disclosed, that there is no evidence of Aristocrat math being used in any commercially released games other than Dragon Train and Jewel of the Dragon,” Light & Wonder stated in a company announcement.

The initial lawsuit was filed by Aristocrat in February 2024, accusing Light & Wonder of trade secret misappropriation and deceptive trade practices. The litigation process is ongoing, with fact discovery set to conclude on December 15 and expert discovery wrapping up by March 16.

Missouri Prepares for Sports Betting Launch

In Missouri, sports betting is set to begin on December 1, as confirmed by the Missouri Gaming Commission. Eight licensed sports books are anticipated to be operational at midnight on that day. A state constitutional amendment, approved by voters in November, permits up to 21 legal sports books in Missouri.

The commission began issuing temporary licenses on October 1, with several licensees having ties to Nevada, including BetMGM, Caesars Entertainment, and Circa Sports. Other expected operators include DraftKings, FanDuel, bet365, Fanatics, and ESPN Bet. Under the current plan, consumers will be able to register for online wagering accounts starting on November 17. Notably, two mobile sports book licenses, held by DraftKings and Circa, will be “untethered,” meaning they will not need to partner with a licensed casino, while BetMGM is teaming up with Century Casinos, and Caesars will partner with Harrah’s Kansas City and Horseshoe St. Louis.