Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas is currently owned by the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (SMGHA), an affiliate of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. The tribal gaming organization bought the resort from Station Casinos’ parent company in 2021 and reopened it in April 2022. Palms is located just west of the Las Vegas Strip, not directly on the Strip.
Quick Answer
Palms Casino Resort is owned by the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, an affiliate of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. The organization completed its $650 million purchase from Red Rock Resorts in December 2021. Palms reopened under tribal ownership on April 27, 2022.
Key Takeaways
- The current owner is the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, not Station Casinos or businessman Ronald Burkle.
- Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, formerly known as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, created SMGHA.
- Red Rock Resorts agreed to sell Palms for $650 million in May 2021, and the transaction closed in December 2021.
- Palms reopened on April 27, 2022, as the first Las Vegas resort fully owned and operated by a Native American tribe.
- The resort remains a Nevada-licensed commercial casino located off the Strip at 4321 West Flamingo Road.
Who Owns Palms Casino Resort Today?
The direct answer is San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority. SMGHA is a tribal governmental gaming and hospitality organization established by Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, a federally recognized tribe based near Highland, California.
Official Palms and tribal materials identify SMGHA as the ownership organization. Its governing Authority Board directs the off-reservation gaming and hospitality enterprise. The Nevada ownership structure also includes SMGHA Nevada, LLC and licensed Palms operating entities, but the practical answer for travelers is simple: Palms is under Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation’s tribal ownership through SMGHA.
Ownership at a Glance
| Current owner | San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority |
| Tribal affiliation | Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation |
| Seller | Red Rock Resorts/Station Casinos |
| Purchase price | $650 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments |
| Transaction completed | December 2021 |
| Reopened under current owner | April 27, 2022 |
Note: The tribe formally reclaimed the name Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation in 2025. Older announcements use its former official name, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
Palms Casino Resort Ownership Timeline
2001: The Maloof Family Opens Palms
Palms opened on November 15, 2001, under the Maloof family, with George Maloof closely associated with the resort’s development and public image. Its celebrity events, nightlife, themed suites, and appearance on reality television helped establish its early identity.
2011: Private-Equity Firms Gain Majority Control
The common shorthand that the Maloofs owned Palms until 2016 leaves out an important step. In 2011, TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners gained majority control after a debt restructuring. The Maloof family retained only a small minority interest, although George Maloof remained involved for a period.
2016: Station Casinos Acquires Palms
In May 2016, Red Rock Resorts announced that its Station Casinos subsidiary would acquire Palms for $312.5 million. The purchase was completed in October 2016. Station Casinos later carried out a large redevelopment of the property before Palms closed during the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020.
2021: SMGHA Buys the Resort
On May 4, 2021, Red Rock Resorts and the tribal authority announced an agreement to sell Palms for $650 million in cash. Nevada regulators approved the new ownership in December 2021, allowing the transaction to close.
The $650 million sale transferred Palms from Station Casinos’ parent company to a tribal gaming and hospitality authority, creating a historic first for Las Vegas resort ownership.
How the Current Ownership Deal Works
The ownership structure can look more complicated in legal and regulatory records than it does in everyday use. SMGHA Nevada, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, was the buyer named in the transaction. Nevada gaming records also identify FP Holdings, L.P. as the licensed entity doing business as Palms Casino Resort.
These entities do not change the plain-language answer. The resort is controlled through SMGHA, which was created by Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. Nevada gaming regulators approved the organization and related entities before the sale closed.
Is Ronald Burkle the Owner of Palms?
No. Ronald W. Burkle is not the current owner of Palms Casino Resort. The source article’s claim that Burkle acquired the property is unsupported and conflicts with the public sale agreement, Nevada licensing records, and Palms’ own current ownership disclosures.
The verified buyer was a subsidiary of the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority. Station Casinos was the seller, and Red Rock Resorts was Station Casinos’ publicly traded parent company.
Warning: Many older pages still identify Station Casinos as the owner. Check the publication date: Station’s ownership ended when the tribal acquisition closed in December 2021.
What Changed Under Tribal Ownership?
The new owner did not announce the speculative, full-scale rebranding described in the original article. Instead, it prepared the existing resort to reopen after a closure of more than two years. Palms welcomed guests back on April 27, 2022.
At reopening, the resort promoted two hotel towers with 766 rooms and suites, a roughly 95,000-square-foot casino, restaurants, bars, live entertainment, meeting facilities, a pool and spa area, a movie theater, and Palms Place condominiums. The property has continued to add and refresh experiences, but it still uses the Palms Casino Resort name.
The reopening also brought back many former employees. Palms stated that more than half of its team members at the 2022 reopening were returning workers, giving the operation continuity despite the ownership change and long closure.
Why the Ownership Is Historically Significant
Palms describes itself as the first Las Vegas casino resort fully owned and operated by a Native American tribe. That distinction is more precise than saying it is simply a “tribal casino.” The resort is a commercial property in Las Vegas and operates under Nevada gaming licenses and regulations.
The acquisition also extended the tribe’s hospitality presence beyond its Southern California operations. SMGHA has emphasized hospitality, employee support, and community giving as core parts of its ownership approach.
Is Palms Still Part of Station Casinos?
No. Palms is no longer owned by Station Casinos or Red Rock Resorts. Those companies sold the resort in 2021. Palms now operates under the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority and is presented as an independent company.
The current owner is affiliated with the same tribal nation associated with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in Southern California, but Palms remains a separate Las Vegas property with its own hotel, casino, restaurants, entertainment venues, and management team.
Where Is Palms Located?
Palms Casino Resort is at 4321 West Flamingo Road in Las Vegas. It is close to the Strip but sits west of Interstate 15, so calling it a hotel “on the Las Vegas Strip” is inaccurate. Guests should allow for a short drive or rideshare trip when traveling between Palms and most Strip resorts.
Pro Tip: When comparing Las Vegas hotels, check both the property name and street address. “Near the Strip” and “on the Strip” can mean different walking, driving, and transportation needs.
Ownership does not change the basic preparation needed for a Las Vegas stay. Travelers planning a visit may also find this guide to the best carry-on luggage for international travel useful when organizing a longer trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas?
Palms Casino Resort is owned by the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, an affiliate of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation.
When did the current owner buy Palms?
The sale agreement was announced on May 4, 2021. Nevada regulators approved the ownership in December 2021, and the transaction closed that month.
How much did San Manuel pay for Palms?
The announced purchase price was $650 million in cash, subject to customary transaction adjustments.
Does Station Casinos still own Palms?
No. Station Casinos acquired Palms in 2016 and sold it through its parent company, Red Rock Resorts, in 2021.
Does the Maloof family still own Palms?
No. The Maloof family opened Palms in 2001, but private-equity firms gained majority control in 2011. Station Casinos later acquired the property in 2016.
Is Ronald Burkle the owner of Palms Casino Resort?
No. Official transaction and licensing records identify the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority’s subsidiary as the buyer, not Ronald Burkle.
Is Palms Casino Resort on the Las Vegas Strip?
No. Palms is located at 4321 West Flamingo Road, just west of the Strip and Interstate 15.
Is Palms a tribal casino?
Palms is tribally owned, and its Las Vegas gaming operations are licensed and regulated by Nevada gaming authorities.
Sources
- Palms Casino Resort: Privacy Policy — current ownership and operating-entity disclosure.
- Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation: San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority — owner profile and current resort details.
- Red Rock Resorts: 2021 Palms Sale Agreement — seller, buyer, and $650 million price.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: 2016 Acquisition Announcement — Station Casinos’ $312.5 million acquisition agreement.
- Palms Casino Resort: April 2022 Reopening — reopening date, resort features, and returning employees.
- Nevada Gaming Commission: SMGHA Registration Order — regulatory approval and licensed ownership entities.