Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Palms Casino Resort has changed hands several times since the Maloof family opened it in 2001. The property is no longer owned by Red Rock Resorts or operated as a Station Casinos property. Its current ownership represents an important milestone in Las Vegas gaming history.
Quick Answer
Palms Casino Resort is owned and operated through the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, an instrumentality of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. A San Manuel affiliate acquired the resort from Red Rock Resorts for $650 million in December 2021 and reopened it on April 27, 2022.
Key Takeaways
- Palms Casino Resort is currently owned and operated under the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority.
- SMGHA is an instrumentality of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, a federally recognized Native American tribe.
- Red Rock Resorts and Station Casinos are former owners, not the current operators.
- San Manuel agreed to pay $650 million for the property in 2021 and reopened it in April 2022.
- Palms is west of the Las Vegas Strip on Flamingo Road rather than directly on Las Vegas Boulevard.
Who Owns Palms Casino Resort Today?
Palms Casino Resort is owned and operated through the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, commonly shortened to SMGHA. The authority is an instrumentality of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, formerly known as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
The resort is held through a San Manuel-controlled Nevada entity. This structure allows the tribal authority to own and manage gaming and hospitality businesses outside its California reservation.
Palms describes itself as the first Las Vegas casino resort to be fully owned and operated by a Native American tribe. The ownership is separate from Station Casinos, even though Station Casinos and its parent company, Red Rock Resorts, controlled the property from 2016 until its sale in 2021.
Note: Red Rock Resorts is the parent company associated with Station Casinos. It is an important former owner of Palms, but it does not own or operate the resort today.
Palms Ownership Snapshot
| Current owner and operator | San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority through its Nevada ownership structure |
| Tribal parent | Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation |
| Previous seller | Red Rock Resorts, through Station Casinos |
| Announced sale price | $650 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments |
| Acquisition completed | December 2021 |
| Reopening date | April 27, 2022 |
| Location | 4321 W. Flamingo Road, west of the Las Vegas Strip |
Ownership History of Palms Casino Resort
The Maloof Family: 2001–2011
George Maloof Jr. and the Maloof family developed Palms as a resort that could appeal to both Las Vegas residents and younger visitors. The property opened on November 15, 2001, west of the Strip.
Its modern design, celebrity events, nightlife, themed suites, and appearance in the 2002 season of The Real World: Las Vegas helped make it one of the best-known Las Vegas resorts of the early 2000s. Rain, Moon, Ghostbar, the Sky Villas, and other distinctive venues became closely associated with its original image.
The Maloof family was also known for its ownership of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. George Maloof remained the public face of Palms during its early years and continued to have a management role for a period after the family lost majority control.
TPG and Leonard Green & Partners: 2011–2016
The resort faced financial pressure during and after the Great Recession. In 2011, private-equity firms TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners gained majority control through a debt restructuring.
The two firms each held a 49% interest, while the Maloof family’s ownership was reduced to 2%. George Maloof initially remained involved in management. A roughly $50 million renovation followed during the next several years.
Red Rock Resorts and Station Casinos: 2016–2021
In May 2016, Red Rock Resorts announced that its Station Casinos subsidiary would acquire Palms for $312.5 million in cash. The transaction was completed later that year.
Red Rock then launched an extensive redevelopment of the hotel rooms, casino, restaurants, nightlife spaces, pools, art collection, and public areas. The reported investment grew substantially during construction. Palms later described the completed 2019 redevelopment as costing more than $600 million.
Nevada casinos closed in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many properties reopened later that year, Palms remained closed under Red Rock ownership.
San Manuel Ownership: 2021–Present
On May 4, 2021, Red Rock Resorts announced an agreement to sell Palms to a subsidiary of the San Manuel organization for $650 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments and regulatory approval.
Nevada regulators approved the new ownership later in 2021, and the acquisition closed in December. The new owner prepared the resort for reopening, rehired former employees, recruited additional team members, and updated parts of the operation.
Palms reopened to the public on April 27, 2022. Its return made it the first Las Vegas casino resort fully owned and operated by a Native American tribe.
The 2021 acquisition made Palms the first Las Vegas casino resort fully owned and operated by a Native American tribe.
Amenities and Entertainment at Palms
Although ownership is the main subject of this article, the property’s size and amenities help explain why it attracted several major buyers. The current owner’s property profile reports 766 rooms and suites across two hotel towers and a casino measuring approximately 95,000 square feet.
The gaming floor includes slot machines, more than 50 table games, a sportsbook, and a high-limit gaming room. Current table-game offerings include blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
Additional facilities include two resort pools, a spa and salon, a fitness center, meeting spaces, a 14-screen Brenden Theatres complex, specialty suites, bars, restaurants, and the Pearl Concert Theater.
Pearl Theater hosts concerts, comedy performances, and special events in a comparatively intimate setting. Historical venues such as Rain and Moon helped build the original Palms nightlife reputation, but they should not be confused with the current entertainment lineup. Ghostbar, which originally opened in 2001, returned under the current ownership in August 2022.
Warning: Guests must be at least 21 years old to gamble or check into a Palms hotel room. Anyone concerned about their gambling can review the resort’s responsible-gaming resources.
Dining Options at Palms Casino Resort
Palms has a mix of fine dining, casual restaurants, quick-service counters, and bars. Because resort restaurants can change, visitors should confirm current hours and reservation requirements through the official Palms dining directory.
Notable current options include Scotch 80 Prime, the A.Y.C.E. Buffet, Tim Ho Wan, Send Noodles, Serrano Vista Cafe, Palms Pizza, Mabel’s BBQ by Michael Symon, and Vetri Cucina by chef Marc Vetri.
A.Y.C.E. Buffet offers several globally inspired stations, carving selections, seafood, and made-to-order dishes. Scotch 80 Prime focuses on steaks, Wagyu beef, and seafood, while Vetri Cucina provides Italian dining from a high-floor location at Palms Place.
The original article identified Scarpetta as a Palms restaurant. That reference was outdated and confused the restaurant lineup with a wine name found on some menus. Vetri Cucina is the relevant current Italian fine-dining venue.
The Palms Renovation and Rebranding
The major modern redevelopment of Palms began after Red Rock Resorts acquired the property in 2016. Work continued in phases, with many of the redesigned spaces opening in 2018 and 2019.
| Project owner | Red Rock Resorts and Station Casinos |
| Main redevelopment period | 2017–2019 |
| Reported investment | More than $600 million |
| Areas affected | Hotel rooms, casino, dining, nightlife, pools, art installations, parking, signage, and public spaces |
The project introduced redesigned rooms, new restaurants and lounges, an expanded art program, updated gaming areas, renovated pools, and new nightlife concepts. Some venues from that redevelopment later closed or changed, so the 2019 lineup should not be treated as the current resort directory.
San Manuel did not need to repeat a complete property-wide rebuild when it acquired Palms in 2021. Instead, it prepared the existing resort for reopening, updated employee and operating areas, restored returning venues, and introduced the new ownership culture.
Palms’ Former Connection to Station Casinos
Palms had connections with Station Casinos at more than one point in its history. Station Casinos was a minority investor when the resort first opened. Its parent company, Red Rock Resorts, later purchased the entire property in 2016.
That ownership ended when Red Rock Resorts sold Palms to the San Manuel organization in 2021. Palms is now operated independently under SMGHA and does not belong to the current Station Casinos portfolio.
This distinction also affects the resort’s loyalty program. Palms uses Club Serrano rather than the Boarding Pass program historically associated with Station Casinos. Club Serrano provides eligible members with gaming rewards, promotions, account access, and resort offers.
Palms’ Role in the Las Vegas Entertainment Scene
Palms became known for mixing casino gaming with celebrity culture, music, television, nightlife, and unusual hotel suites. Its role as the setting for The Real World: Las Vegas brought national attention soon after the resort opened.
Over the years, the property has hosted concerts, award-related events, film premieres, celebrity parties, comedy shows, and television productions. Pearl Theater remains its main concert venue and presents both established performers and touring acts.
The specialty accommodations also remain part of the resort’s identity. Current experiential suites include spaces with private bowling lanes, basketball facilities, cinema rooms, elaborate entertainment systems, and commissioned art.
Under San Manuel ownership, the entertainment focus combines live shows, resort events, current dining, gaming, Ghostbar, pool programming, and the restored cinema complex rather than relying only on the early-2000s nightclub model.
Community Involvement and Responsible Operations
The strongest publicly documented community initiative under the current ownership is Palms Cares. The program supports nonprofit organizations working in education, housing, health, cultural preservation, workforce development, services for vulnerable residents, and Native-led community programs.
Recent Palms announcements have described millions of dollars in grants to Las Vegas-area organizations. In 2025, SMGHA and Palms announced another $1.2 million grant round supporting education, youth housing, safety programs, and other community needs.
The original article also claimed that Palms had specific energy-efficient lighting, water-conservation, recycling, and composting programs. Those detailed environmental claims were not supported by a cited sustainability report, so they should not be presented as verified performance data.
Note: Community-giving activity is documented through Palms Cares. Specific environmental savings or waste-diversion claims should be used only when Palms publishes measurable supporting data.
Future Plans for Palms Casino Resort
No official announcement reviewed for this update indicates that Palms is being sold again or preparing for another complete ownership change. The resort continues to operate under SMGHA, with ongoing hotel offers, casino promotions, dining events, live entertainment, community programs, and seasonal pool activities.
Property details can still change. Restaurants may be replaced, entertainment schedules rotate, and hotel policies can be updated. Travelers should therefore use the official Palms website for the latest venue hours, show dates, room offers, resort fees, and reservation requirements.
The current ownership has emphasized tribal hospitality values, employee culture, community involvement, and the operation of Palms as both a locals-oriented casino and a destination resort for Las Vegas visitors.
Practical Notes for a Stay at Palms
Because Palms is west of the Strip rather than directly on Las Vegas Boulevard, guests should consider transportation when planning their stay. Rideshare services, taxis, rental cars, and mobility services may be useful for reaching Strip attractions. Palms currently advertises free self-parking and valet parking, although policies should be confirmed before arrival.
Light sleepers may benefit from earplugs or a portable white noise machine for travel, especially during busy event weekends. International travelers should check whether their devices need a plug adapter or voltage converter for use with standard U.S. electrical outlets.
Travel scooters can help eligible visitors cover long resort corridors, but guests should confirm rental delivery, storage, battery, and accessibility arrangements with the provider and the hotel. These practical items do not affect who owns Palms, but they can make a resort stay easier.
Pro Tip: When comparing Palms with Strip hotels, consider both the room price and transportation cost. Its off-Strip location and free parking may be useful for travelers with a car.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Palms Casino Resort?
Palms Casino Resort is owned and operated through the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, an instrumentality of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. The resort is held through a San Manuel-controlled Nevada ownership entity.
When did San Manuel acquire Palms?
The acquisition agreement was announced on May 4, 2021. Nevada regulators approved the ownership later that year, and the transaction closed in December 2021.
How much did San Manuel pay for Palms?
Red Rock Resorts announced a sale price of $650 million in cash, subject to customary transaction adjustments.
Does Station Casinos still own Palms?
No. Red Rock Resorts, the parent company associated with Station Casinos, owned Palms from 2016 until the sale to the San Manuel organization closed in 2021.
Who originally built Palms Casino Resort?
George Maloof Jr. and the Maloof family developed the resort. Palms opened on November 15, 2001, and quickly became known for celebrity events, nightlife, television appearances, and themed suites.
When did Palms reopen under its current owner?
Palms reopened on April 27, 2022, after remaining closed for more than two years following the March 2020 casino shutdown.
Is Palms Casino Resort on the Las Vegas Strip?
No. Palms is located at 4321 W. Flamingo Road, west of Interstate 15 and the central Las Vegas Strip. It is close to the Strip but does not have a Las Vegas Boulevard address.
Is Palms part of a larger casino group?
Palms is operated under SMGHA, which is connected to Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. The same tribal organization is associated with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in Southern California, but Palms is operated as its own Las Vegas resort.
Are there plans to sell or rebrand Palms again?
No verified official announcement reviewed for this article indicates an upcoming sale or complete rebranding. Palms continues operating under SMGHA with ongoing entertainment, dining, gaming, hotel, and community programming.
Sources
- Palms Casino Resort: Las Vegas Now Open — current ownership, location, reopening, renovation, dining, pools, and entertainment details.
- San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority — ownership structure, room count, casino size, and property profile.
- Red Rock Resorts 2016 Acquisition Announcement — Red Rock and Station Casinos’ $312.5 million purchase.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Filing — the 2021 agreement to sell Palms for $650 million.
- Palms Cares — tribal ownership milestone and current community-giving priorities.
- Official Palms Dining Directory — current restaurants, casual dining, bars, and lounges.