Poker Palace

Poker Palace is a locals casino located at 2757 North Las Vegas Boulevard in North Las Vegas, Nevada,[1] near Nellis Air Force Base.[2]

Poker Palace
Poker Palace in 2011
Location North Las Vegas, Nevada
Address 2757 North Las Vegas Boulevard
Opening date1974
Total gaming space25,900 sq ft (2,410 m2)
Notable restaurantsMaddy's Paddy Cafe
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerMarvin E. Coleman
Laura Coleman
Previous namesBunny's Bar
Renovated in1979
2000/2001
Coordinates36.209859°N 115.107274°W / 36.209859; -115.107274
Websitepokerpalace.net

History

The property was constructed in 1951,[1] and initially operated as Bunny's Bar,[3] popular among employees of the nearby Nellis Air Force Base.[2] In April 1974,[4] Marvin E. Coleman (also known as Mickey Coleman)[3][5] and his wife, Laura Coleman, purchased 0.48 acres (0.19 ha) of land, including the bar.[2][3][4] The Colemans added a casino and reopened the property as the Poker Palace later that year.[2] The casino was approximately 700 sq ft (65 m2) and featured one blackjack table, two pool tables, eight slot machines, and one bar.[6] In June 1979, the Colemans purchased an adjacent 1.38 acres (0.56 ha) of land, directly east of the Poker Palace.[7]

In 1994, the Poker Palace became the first casino in the Las Vegas Valley to introduce a tax service within the property, an idea that was well received by customers. The concept was initially dismissed by other locals casinos for being unusual, but the Palace Station and Mahoney's Silver Nugget later adopted the idea.[8] In 1997, the Poker Palace was one of nine casinos in the Las Vegas area to offer SportXction, a new interactive betting system.[9] In November 1998, to improve on the image of North Las Vegas, the Colemans opened a new, upscale restaurant at the Poker Palace named Laura's Vineyard.[5] The Poker Palace was one of two Las Vegas casinos to provide sign-up services for SportXction, until the service was suspended in May 2000.[10]

In June 2000, the Poker Palace was approved for a 4,750 sq ft (441 m2) expansion of the property to include a senior citizen bingo hall. Marvin Coleman also planned to construct a 114-space parking lot for employees.[11] In November 2003, it was reported that the Poker Palace's blackjack-like table game was largely tilted toward the casino's advantage.[12] The Poker Palace celebrated its 30th anniversary with a $30,000 giveaway throughout May 2004, with a special anniversary party planned for June 5, 2004.[13]

In late 2006, the Nevada Gaming Control Board launched an investigation into the Poker Palace after sportsbook audits revealed unusually high handle on racing wagers placed at the casino. With the help of an undercover board agent, investigators discovered that three Poker Palace employees engaged in various illegal race book activities.[14]

In August 2008, Jeff Haney of the Las Vegas Sun gave the Poker Palace a zero-star rating on his list of the best sportsbooks in Las Vegas, calling it, "An extremely low-limit locals joint. We do mean locals. If you're a tourist and you end up here, you're probably very, very lost."[15] In May 2009, the Poker Palace was fined $250,000 for the illegal race book activities, while Marvin Coleman was cited for failure to adequately supervise his casino and its employees.[14]

Poker Palace's large sign in 2013.

Maddy's Paddy Cafe, a coffee shop named after the Colemans' granddaughter, operates inside the Poker Palace.[3] In September 2012, Maddy's Paddy Cafe was chosen as "Dining Pick of the Week" by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.[16] The Poker Palace celebrated its 40th anninversary on April 1, 2014, with a guest appreciation celebration offering complimentary cake and champagne.[17]

On the morning of January 26, 2015, the Poker Palace's large sign caught on fire while having work done. Firefighters were contacted at approximately 11:00 a.m., and took approximately 10 minutes to extinguish the fire, which destroyed the sign and created a smoke plume that was visible for miles.[18]

As of 2016, the Poker Palace features a 25,900 sq ft (2,410 m2) casino, with 280 slot machines, seven table games, eight poker tables, a 5,000 sq ft (460 m2) bingo hall, and a 1,800 sq ft (170 m2) sportsbook.[6][19]

References
  1. "Real Property Parcel Record". Clark County Assessor's Office. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  2. Garrecht Gassen, Sarah (June 4, 2015). "Lessons from Las Vegas: Protect base at all costs". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  3. White, Ken (September 27, 2006). "Maddy's Paddys Cafe offers all-American food". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on October 15, 2006.
  4. "Parcel Ownership History". Clark County Assessor's Office. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  5. Snedeker, Lisa (November 15, 1998). "City with image problem puts a new face forward". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  6. "Poker Palace History". PokerPalace.net. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  7. "Parcel Ownership History". Clark County Assessor's Office. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  8. Strow, David (April 14, 2000). "Tax preparation is offered next to gambling at casinos". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  9. Feour, Royce (September 27, 1997). "New betting system keeps players active". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on September 17, 2000.
  10. "Nevada intranet betting service suspended". Las Vegas Sun. May 1, 2000. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  11. Sahagun, Diana (June 29, 2000). "NLV casino addition approved". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  12. "Taking a hit: New blackjack odds further tilt advantage toward the house". Las Vegas Sun. November 13, 2003. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  13. "Poker Palace celebrates 30 years". Las Vegas Review-Journal. May 14, 2004. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004.
  14. Velotta, Richard N. (May 21, 2009). "Poker Palace hit with $250,000 fine". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  15. Haney, Jeff (August 23, 2008). "A bettor's guide to sports books". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  16. Bulavsky, Jack (September 11, 2012). "Dining Pick of the Week: Maddy's Paddy Cafe". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  17. "Poker Palace Casino Celebrates Its 40 Year Anniversary April 1". VegasInc.com. March 26, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  18. Talamo, Cassandra (January 26, 2015). "NLV casino marquee fire sends up plume visible for miles". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  19. "Listings of Financial Statements Square Footage". Nevada Gaming Control Board. January 7, 2016. p. 8. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
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