Jackpot, Nevada is an unincorporated town in Elko County . Located less than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from the Idaho border on U.S. Highway 93 , Jackpot has been a popular casino gaming destination for residents of Idaho and other neighboring states since its founding. After Idaho outlawed all forms of casino gaming in 1954 , "Cactus Pete" Piersanti and Don French moved their slot machine operations from Idaho to the Jackpot townsite. Piersanti 's and French's gaming establishments were named Cactus Pete's and the Horseshu Club respectively. Cactus Pete's management took over the Horseshu in 1964 to form what would eventually become Ameristar Casinos . The Ameristar-owned Cactus Pete's and Horseshu, as well as the independent Barton's Club 93 and the Four Jacks Casino, form the basis of the town's economy to this day. More people from the Twin Falls, Idaho area work for them than any other employer. Jackpot has a permanent population of around 1,500. The town has its own schools, golf course and post office. Due to its economic ties with southern Idaho, particularly the Magic Valley region, Jackpot observes Mountain Time , (one of five locations), although it is officially, like the rest of Nevada, in the Pacific Time Zone .