A classic Las Vegas casino, Poker Palace, is set to close in October after a devastating tourist slump sent by rip-off prices. The 126-employee casino in North Las Vegas was sold, but the exact reason for its closure remains unclear. Las Vegas saw a 11% decline in June’s tourist numbers compared to last year, with Canadian tourists avoiding the city due to President Trump’s threat to turn their country into the 51st state.
The slump has also hit local businesses hard, with locals losing jobs and falling behind on mortgage repayments. Poker Palace, which has served the community since 1974, will close after a four-decade growth from a small blackjack table to a 25,000 square foot casino with over 250 slots.
The city’s reliance on discretionary spending makes it vulnerable to economic downturns. Experts say that if the US economy struggles, Sin City often recovers last. The closure marks another hit to Las Vegas’ tourism industry, which has suffered in recent years due to soaring prices and a shift from its reputation as a gambler’s paradise to a luxury enclave.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15029455/las-vegas-casino-closing-poker-palace-tourist-slump.html