Resorts World to Close Poker Room, Leaving 8 on Vegas Strip

Rising operational costs drive the ongoing contraction of poker on the Las Vegas Strip

Mar. 14, 2026 at 7:08pm

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Resorts World Las Vegas will close its poker room on March 30, 2026, leaving only eight active poker rooms on the Las Vegas Strip. This closure continues a long-term trend of poker room contraction in the city, with over 40 poker rooms having folded since the early-2000s poker boom. The shift is driven by rising operational costs and the higher profitability of slot machines compared to poker's modest rake-based revenue.

Why it matters

The closure of the Resorts World poker room is the latest sign of the ongoing decline of dedicated poker rooms on the Las Vegas Strip. This trend reflects the economic realities facing casino operators, as slot machines generate significantly more revenue than poker rooms. While major poker tournaments continue to draw strong participation, the number of permanent poker rooms in Las Vegas has steadily dwindled over the past decade and a half.

The details

Resorts World Las Vegas opened its poker room when the property launched in June 2021. However, the casino has now confirmed that the poker room will close on March 30, 2026. This closure will leave only eight active poker rooms on the Las Vegas Strip, down from a peak of 60-70 rooms during the early-2000s poker boom. The shift away from poker rooms is driven by rising operational costs and the higher profitability of slot machines, which do not require human supervision and vastly outperform poker's modest rake-based revenue.

  • Resorts World Las Vegas opened its poker room on June 24, 2021.
  • The Resorts World poker room will close on March 30, 2026.

The players

Resorts World Las Vegas

A casino resort that opened in Las Vegas in 2021 and is now closing its poker room.

Chris Murray

A poker player who organizes a regular game at the Resorts World poker room and first reported the closure.

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What they’re saying

“We look forward to introducing new offerings that reflect our continued commitment to dynamic, high‑quality experiences.”

— Resorts World Spokesperson (Vital Vegas)

What’s next

While Resorts World has not announced any specific plans to replace the poker room, the closure continues the broader trend of poker room contraction on the Las Vegas Strip. Some properties that have recently closed their poker rooms may temporarily reopen them to accommodate tournament traffic during major events like the World Series of Poker.

The takeaway

The closure of the Resorts World poker room is the latest sign that the economics of poker rooms are increasingly challenging for casino operators in Las Vegas. As slot machines continue to outperform poker in terms of profitability, the number of dedicated poker rooms on the Strip has steadily declined over the past 15 years, reflecting the broader shift in the gaming industry.