Palms Hotel-Casino Opens Enclosed Nonsmoking Gaming Area in Las Vegas Expansion

The Palms hotel-casino in Las Vegas held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 1, 2026, to celebrate the launch of a new 7,300-square-foot fully enclosed nonsmoking gaming space that had opened to the public the prior week, and the event centered on the inaugural “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge which generated roughly $35,000 in donations for 10 Southern Nevada organizations through contributions from the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority along with IGT.

Details of the Ceremony and Opening Timeline

Guests and officials gathered at the property on the first day of September 2026 for the formal ribbon-cutting that marked the official recognition of the new gaming area, while the 224 slot machines and full-service bar inside had already welcomed players during the preceding week, and this sequence allowed the facility to begin operations in response to ongoing guest requests for expanded nonsmoking options before the public celebration took place.

Features of the New Gaming Space

The enclosed area spans 7,300 square feet and contains 224 slot machines alongside a full-service bar, all designed as a dedicated nonsmoking environment that addresses demand from visitors seeking smoke-free gaming experiences, and the development reflects the property’s adjustments to changing preferences among its clientele without altering the overall layout of the hotel-casino.

Construction and planning for the space drew directly from feedback collected at the property, resulting in a self-contained zone that separates cleanly from other gaming floors, and the addition integrates into the existing structure while maintaining accessibility for all guests who prefer this type of environment.

The Spin It Forward Charity Slot Challenge

The “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge served as the centerpiece of the September 1 event, raising approximately $35,000 that the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority and IGT directed toward 10 organizations serving Southern Nevada communities, and the initiative combined gaming activity with targeted philanthropy to support local causes during the opening festivities.

Participants engaged with specially designated slot machines during the challenge, which channeled proceeds and matching donations into the designated charities, and this approach allowed the property to combine its commercial opening with measurable contributions to regional nonprofits without extending beyond the single-day ceremony.

Ownership and Operational Context

The Palms remains under ownership of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians through its San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority subsidiary, which oversees day-to-day operations and expansions such as the new nonsmoking area, and the tribe’s involvement ensures alignment with broader hospitality standards that include both gaming and community support elements. Las Vegas Review-Journal coverage of the event confirms the timeline and funding details tied to the September 2026 activities.

IGT supplied the slot technology and participated in the charity donations, creating a partnership that extended from equipment provision to the fundraising outcome, and the collaboration highlights standard industry practices where manufacturers join operators in localized giving programs during facility launches.

Conclusion

The September 1, 2026, ribbon-cutting at the Palms hotel-casino formalized the introduction of the 7,300-square-foot nonsmoking gaming space that features 224 slots and a bar, with the concurrent Spin It Forward challenge delivering roughly $35,000 to 10 Southern Nevada organizations through joint support from the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority and IGT, and these elements together illustrate the property’s recent adjustments to guest preferences under its current tribal ownership.