On November 15, 2011, the Tamares Group announced that 'due to decreased demand at this location', The Western would close on January 16, 2012. In 2010 the hotel portion completely closed and redevelopment still remains uncertain to this day. In 2005, The Tamares Group acquired total control of the hotel and casino through a lease from Barrick. At the time, the AP said about the property, 'On a stretch of despair that tourists in Las Vegas seldom see, the Western Hotel-Casino stands out as a beacon for the broke and nearly broken'. The plans called for redeveloping the Western Hotel as a Latino destination resort. Jackie Gaughan sold the hotel to Barrick Gaming in March 2004.
At its opening, The Western was the world's largest bingo parlor with 1,020 seats. The Western opened in 1970 as the Western Hotel & Bingo Parlor and was owned by Jackie Gaughan and Mel Exber.
The Western was the lowest rung of Jackie Gaughan's low-roller casino empire that included the Las Vegas Club, The Plaza, the Gold Spike and El Cortez. The 8,925 sq ft (829.2 m 2) casino was owned and operated by the Barrick Gaming.
The Western Hotel and Casino was a hotel and casino in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.
