On September 1, Global Gaming Insider continued its on-scene coverage of the latest industry innovation by traveling to the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas for the Tribal property’s grand opening of a new non-smoking gaming area.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was joined by a “Spin It Forward Celebrity Charity Slot Challenge” sponsored by International Game Technology (IGT), in which local Nevada charities had the chance to compete for varied amounts of guaranteed donations.
Palms Casino Resort’s latest activation comes during a period of mounting competition in Las Vegas as well, with new developments from Hard Rock International and Bally’s Corporation set to join the Strip by mid-2029.
Palms GM describes non-smoking gaming area as the ‘right opportunity’
Flashing back to September 2025, Palms Casino Resort underwent a leadership change following the appointment of Kevin Glass, who was part of the property’s original opening team in 2001.
Global Gaming Insider had the chance to speak with Glass just weeks after his appointment, and managed to catch up with the Tribal executive prior to the non-smoking gaming area’s launch on September 1.
Reflecting on the past 12 months, Glass said: “Gosh it went by fast… and I think that's a good thing. I'm very excited and very humbled to be here, especially with this project that we've been working on for just about the last year. And I'm having a good time.”
Glass confirmed the property’s leadership team held “strategic conversations” around how to expand Palms Casino Resort’s gaming portfolio and meet growing desires amongst its consumer base.
Believing now was "definitely the right opportunity to do it,” Palms Casino Resort introduced the new 7,300 sq ft facility which features 224 slot machines and its own full-service bar for non-smoking casino players.
The “Spin It Forward IGT Celebrity Charity Slot Challenge” allowed Nevada charities to team with local celebrities and slot influencers for the chance to receive varied amounts of guaranteed donations.
Teams would take turns playing designated slot machines over a five-minute period, with the highest score – or win – resulting in the largest donation being contributed to that respective charity.
Local charities still received a $2,500 donation from the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, however, as well as received whichever prize amount was eventually awarded through the competition.
According to Glass, over $35,000 was donated as part of the grand opening ceremony, helping to showcase the “kind of people” Palms Casino Resort looks to collaborate with.
Palms Casino Resort marks latest gaming innovation in Las Vegas
Prior to the debut of the Palms Casino Resort’s new non-smoking gaming space, multiple Las Vegas properties had also looked to enhance their respective portfolios.
In July, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas introduced its newly remodeled high-limit slots and video poker room for guests and casino players, featuring the first-ever $5m linked progressives from Aristocrat Gaming.
Heading to Downtown Las Vegas, Plaza Hotel & Casino unveiled a new high-limit slots area as part of a grand opening event on August 28-29 to help “meet the changing needs” of its clientele.
The new high-limit gaming area features over 50 slot machines with increased maximum bets, as well as personalized guest services which offer exclusive capabilities for the casino’s “higher-end” players.
What the latest Las Vegas innovations most likely signal is growing awareness over how quickly the gaming scene in Sin City appears to be changing. Not only that, but player preferences have rapidly evolved at a time where maintaining customer loyalty is as crucial as ever for the city’s most prominent operators.
For Palms Casino Resort, staying ahead of the pack means developing expansion such as the new non-smoking gaming space year-after-year, especially as the property prepares to be joined by a fellow Tribal enterprise.
Looming Las Vegas competition creates heightened motivation for operators
By mid-2029, Las Vegas is set to introduce new developments from both Hard Rock International – owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida – and Bally’s Corporation, whose development will also include a home stadium for the Las Vegas Athletics MLB franchise.
Following the polarizing arrivals of Resorts World and Fontainebleau Las Vegas over the past few years, how Hard Rock and Bally’s compete in North America’s largest gaming market will capture the attention of most industry professionals.
It appears Las Vegas operators with existing casino resorts want to batten down the hatches, though, given the number of new activations launched over the past 12 months alone. Having had the opportunity to receive a first-hand look into the most recent expansion from Palms Casino Resort, Global Gaming Insider has become no stranger to the levels each property will go to stand out above the competition.
With Glass preparing for his one-year anniversary since taking over as GM on September 15, the executive has tried “not looking that far into the future” despite what’s to come in Las Vegas. Given the excitement showcased by many casino players on September 1, it’s difficult to blame the Palms Casino Resort GM for wanting to rejoice in the celebration for an extra beat.
New opposition is arriving fast, however, and how Las Vegas properties such as Palms Casino Resort seek to capture the consumer eye will most likely define the gaming scene in Sin City for years to come.
Palms Casino Resort appointed Janice Fitzpatrick as VP of Finance in March, having previously served as CFO of Warner Gaming and in senior finance for The Rio Las Vegas and MGM Grand Macau
