The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas is expected to open in the spring after being closed since the beginning of the Pandemic.
The Nevada Gaming Commission gave the go-ahead for the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority to take over ownership of the off-Strip resort. The tribe announced in May that it was buying the property from Red Rock for $650 million in cash.
Latisha Casas, chairwoman of San Manuel Gaming, said that they were grateful for the opportunity to share their long-standing tradition of hospitality with Las Vegas and execute their vision for the resort. We will create history together.
The Palms has more than 700 hotel rooms and suites, several dining venues, meetings space, a pool, spa and condominiums. Guests can now make reservations. The Palms Casino Resort will have room reservations early next year.
The first Native American tribe to own and operate a casino-resort is San Manuel. The Mirage casino in Las Vegas is being acquired by Hard Rock International, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Alan Feldman, a casino industry veteran who is now a distinguished fellow in responsible gaming for the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said that the tribal gaming industry is hugely successful. "They've done a lot of wonderful things on tribal lands to improve the lives of tribal communities all across the country."
Making more investments on and off tribal lands is part of ensuring continued success for future generations. The Palms underwent a $620 million renovation before the swine flu hit.
"Palms is a very strategic investment," he said. This is a property that had a lot of investment poured into it. They picked it up for what most would think was below market value, considering how much had just been spent on it.
The tribe owns and operates Yaamava' Resort and Casino at San Manuel, which is located in Highland, Calif., 90 minutes east of Los Angeles. The expansion will include a 2,800 seat entertainment venue.
"I don't think anyone should doubt the marketing prowess of this particular group or any group in tribal gaming," he said. Some of the most beautiful casinos in the country are on tribal lands. One of the best examples may be San Manuel.
The strong values and culture of the tribe are important to Cynthia Kiser Murphey, the general manager of the property.
What can guests expect during their stay at the Palms?
The changes for the Palms have not been announced, but guests may enjoy more personal service.
San Manuel is an example of a tribe that is very sensitive about its culture and history. "That is an expression of its care and compassion about everything, about its people, about its community, about its land." I think that extends to their customer in a different way than a commercial company would.
It is not known how that difference will manifest at the Palms.
San Manuel doesn't have that kind of pressure to make the quarter, to drive business, to acquire customers, to outmarket everyone. It is possible that we will see more of a relationship with customers in San Manuel.
New money coming into Las Vegas has always been good. It's great to have them in town, it's great to have them in this competition, and it's great to see them competing with everyone else.
