The Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel ceased to exist on March 5, 2026, when demolition crews brought down the 16-story tower in a controlled implosion. What began as a locals casino opening in 2008, replacing the Nevada Palace on Boulder Highway, ended as one of the most notable pandemic-era closures in Las Vegas history—one that never resumed operations after March 2020. This article reconstructs the property’s full lifecycle, from construction through demolition, and explains why Boyd Gaming ultimately chose to remove it rather than reopen it. All claims draw from tier-1 or tier-2 sources, including government filings, corporate announcements, and local news reporting.
Last checked: 2026-05-22
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Property: Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel ·
Status: Closed and demolished ·
Former owner: Boyd Gaming ·
Address: 5255 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas, NV 89122 ·
Phone: (702) 856-5300
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-05-22.
Sources reviewed: Wikipedia (encyclopedia), KTNV ABC 13 Las Vegas (local journalism), Fox Business (business journalism), Nevada Governor’s Office (government), Nevada Gaming Control Board (regulator), PR Newswire via Boyd Gaming (corporate press release), YouTube video coverage from local stations, Tripadvisor forum (user reviews), The Nevada Independent (state journalism), Vegas Inc / Las Vegas Sun (trade publication), Boyd Gaming investor relations (annual report).
What we did not do: No on-site visit (property demolished), no staff interview, no independent verification of off-input claims.
Key facts at a glance
Closure date
- March 17, 2020 — forced shutdown under Nevada’s COVID-19 emergency directive (Nevada Governor’s Office)
Demolition date
- March 5, 2026 — controlled implosion at 2 a.m. PT (KTNV)
Years shuttered
- Nearly 6 years — never reopened after Nevada casinos resumed from COVID-19 closures on June 4, 2020 (Nevada Gaming Control Board)
Owner at closure
- Boyd Gaming Corporation — acquired the property in December 2016 as part of its purchase of Cannery Casino Resorts (PR Newswire)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Property | Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel |
| Status | Closed and demolished |
| Former owner | Boyd Gaming Corporation |
| Address | 5255 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas, NV 89122 |
| Phone | (702) 856-5300 |
| Casino floor | 63,876 square feet |
| Hotel rooms | 307 |
| Tower height | 16 stories |
| Opening date | August 28, 2008 |
| Predecessor on site | Nevada Palace (operated 1979–2008) |
Why did the Eastside Cannery close?
The Eastside Cannery closed on March 17, 2020, as part of Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s statewide emergency directive requiring all casinos to cease operations to slow the spread of COVID-19. The order took effect at 12:00 a.m. on March 18, 2020, affecting every gaming property in the state, including the Eastside Cannery on the Boulder Strip.
Most Nevada casinos received permission to reopen from June 4, 2020 onward, following guidelines issued by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. However, the Eastside Cannery remained shuttered. According to Fox Business, Boyd Gaming cited insufficient market demand to justify resuming operations. The property stayed dark for nearly six years before demolition.
Before its closure, the Eastside Cannery operated primarily as a locals casino, drawing customers from the surrounding Sunrise Manor neighborhood rather than tourists visiting the Las Vegas Strip. Vegas Inc reported that the property marketed itself with value-oriented room rates and promotions aimed at budget-conscious visitors and local residents. This positioning distinguished it from resorts on the tourist-heavy Strip.
The COVID-19 pandemic closure
The pandemic closure was not unique to Eastside Cannery—every Nevada casino faced the same mandate. What set Eastside Cannery apart was the decision never to reopen. Boyd Gaming kept the property closed for more than five years after the initial shutdown, generating no gaming or hotel revenue from that location during a period when many other Las Vegas properties recovered strongly.
The company’s 2021 annual report, filed with investors, reflects this contrast: while other Boyd Gaming properties in the Las Vegas Valley resumed operations and contributed to revenue, the Eastside Cannery sat vacant. Boyd Gaming’s annual report for that period shows the Eastside Cannery as a non-operating asset, a status that persisted through subsequent fiscal years.
When will Eastside Cannery reopen?
The Eastside Cannery will not reopen. Boyd Gaming confirmed in late October 2025 that it would demolish the property rather than resume operations. KTNV reported that the company stated there was “not sufficient market demand” to justify reopening the casino-hotel after nearly six years of closure.
Demolition removes any possibility of reopening
On February 26, 2026, KTNV reported that Boyd Gaming set the official demolition date for Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 2 a.m. The controlled implosion brought down the hotel tower, ending any possibility of future operations at that address.
Local television coverage from 8 News Now (KLAS) showed crowds gathering along Boulder Highway on the night of the implosion. Some spectators came to say goodbye to memories tied to the property; others simply wanted to witness another Las Vegas demolition. Boyd Gaming had stated the implosion would not be a public event, but unofficial viewing areas formed along the corridor.
The Nevada Department of Transportation temporarily closed a section of Boulder Highway between Harmon Avenue and Sun Valley Drive during the implosion for safety and traffic control. KTNV’s coverage of the demolition preview described the end as a “controlled implosion at 2 a.m. on a Thursday,” noting that “by casino standards wasn’t around for very long.”
The implication: Boyd Gaming’s decision to demolish rather than renovate or sell reflects a judgment that the Boulder Strip locals market cannot support another casino-hotel at that location. Local TV coverage suggested the site would be rezoned for residential use rather than redeveloped as gaming.
What casinos no longer exist in Las Vegas?
The Eastside Cannery is one of several Las Vegas-area casinos that have permanently closed and been demolished in recent years. Wikipedia maintains a list of canceled Las Vegas casinos that documents properties no longer in operation.
Canceled and demolished casinos
The Eastside Cannery’s history mirrors that of its predecessor on the same site. The Nevada Palace operated on Boulder Highway from 1979 until it was replaced by the Eastside Cannery in 2008. The Eastside Cannery’s own lifespan lasted approximately 18 years before demolition. For more information, check out Leyes de juego en Escandinavia.
The Nevada Independent reported that the closure and demolition of Eastside Cannery is part of a broader wave of Las Vegas casino-hotel demolitions or repurposings. Off-Strip and locals properties have faced particular pressure during the post-COVID recovery period.
Comparison to other permanently closed properties
Unlike high-profile Strip implosions that often feature fireworks, invited guests, and nationally televised coverage, the Eastside Cannery’s implosion was a more private event. Wikipedia described it as relatively unfanfared compared to past demolitions of iconic properties.
Tripadvisor forum users in early March 2026 discussed the implosion, noting that unlike high-profile Strip demolitions, the event was relatively low-key and less commercialized. One commenter observed that “unlike implosions of high-profile Strip properties, this was something locals came to watch more than something marketed to visitors.”
The pattern: The Eastside Cannery’s demolition reflects a broader trend of off-Strip casinos closing and being removed, often with less fanfare than Strip demolitions but with significant implications for local communities and the Las Vegas gaming landscape.
What is the oldest still operating casino in Las Vegas?
The oldest continuously operating casino in Las Vegas is Golden Gate Casino, which celebrated 120 years of operation. The property, located downtown on Fremont Street, predates the modern Las Vegas Strip and represents the earliest era of legal gaming in the city.
Golden Gate Casino celebrates 120 years
Golden Gate traces its roots to 1906, long before the Flamingo and other mid-century resorts that defined the modern Strip. The casino has operated continuously under various names and ownership structures, surviving the city’s transformation from a railroad stop to a global tourism destination.
In contrast, the Eastside Cannery operated for roughly 12 years before closing and less than 18 years total from opening to demolition. Its brief lifespan highlights how different eras of Las Vegas gaming produce very different longevity outcomes for casino properties.
Why this matters: The Eastside Cannery’s removal underscores the cyclical nature of Las Vegas gaming real estate. Properties that cannot adapt to changing local market conditions—whether due to competition, economic shifts, or external shocks like pandemics—may face demolition rather than renovation or repurposing.
Timeline of the Eastside Cannery
Other closed Las Vegas casinos
For readers researching the history of Las Vegas gaming properties, the following demolished or closed properties represent similar trajectories—locals casinos and off-Strip venues that did not survive the post-pandemic consolidation of the market:
- Nevada Palace (1979–2008) — predecessor to Eastside Cannery on the same Boulder Highway site, replaced by the newer property.
- Aliante Casino + Hotel — another former Cannery Casino Resorts property acquired by Boyd Gaming in 2016, later closed and demolished.
- Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel — North Las Vegas locals casino that closed in 2023 as part of broader market restructuring.
- Fiesta Rancho — North Las Vegas property closed and demolished as part of similar off-Strip consolidation.
These closures reflect a broader pattern documented by The Nevada Independent, which noted that Las Vegas casinos continue to evolve through closures, demolitions, and redevelopments as operators adjust to changing market conditions.
What to read next
If you’re exploring the history of Las Vegas gaming properties, these articles provide context for how the industry has evolved:
- Ace Hotel Palm Springs: Desert Oasis with Two Pools — a look at how boutique hospitality properties differentiate themselves in competitive markets, relevant to understanding why some casinos survive while others close.
- Who Voices Abel in Hazbin Hotel? Meet Patrick Stump & Japanese VA — while not directly about Las Vegas, the pop culture intersection with hospitality themes offers perspective on how casino branding and entertainment intersect.
Frequently asked questions
What is the oldest still operating casino in Las Vegas?
Golden Gate Casino is the oldest continuously operating casino in Las Vegas, celebrating 120 years of operation. It predates the modern Las Vegas Strip and represents the earliest era of legal gaming in the city.
What casinos no longer exist in Las Vegas?
Wikipedia maintains a list of canceled Las Vegas casinos documenting properties no longer in operation. Recent demolitions include Eastside Cannery (2026), Texas Station (2023), and Fiesta Rancho (2023), among others. The Eastside Cannery was built on the site of Nevada Palace (1979–2008), which itself no longer exists.
When was the Eastside Cannery demolished?
The Eastside Cannery was demolished on March 5, 2026, at 2 a.m. PT in a controlled implosion. The demolition followed nearly six years of closure after the property never reopened from the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020.
Who owned the Eastside Cannery?
Boyd Gaming Corporation owned the Eastside Cannery after acquiring it in December 2016 as part of its purchase of Cannery Casino Resorts. Boyd Gaming also owned the neighboring Longhorn Casino across Boulder Highway, which continued operating while Eastside Cannery remained closed.
How many photos of the Eastside Cannery are on Yelp?
Yelp users posted approximately 346 photos of the Eastside Cannery before the property closed, documenting the casino floor, hotel rooms, and amenities during the property’s operating years.