Palms Hotel-Casino Marks Opening of Dedicated Nonsmoking Gaming Area

The Palms hotel-casino in Las Vegas completed a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its new 7,300-square-foot fully enclosed nonsmoking gaming space. The area opened to the public the week before the event and now operates as a distinct section separated from the main gaming floor. It houses 224 slot machines along with its own bar, and the ceremony highlighted both the physical expansion and the launch of a charity initiative tied to the opening.

Facility Features and Guest Response

The new space addresses documented guest requests for additional smoke-free gaming options at the property. Construction created a fully enclosed environment that maintains separation while providing access to slot play and bar service. The 224 machines occupy the dedicated footprint, and operators positioned the bar within the same boundaries to support continuous play without requiring guests to leave the nonsmoking zone. According to coverage in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the design responds directly to patterns of visitor preference observed at the off-strip location.

Inaugural Charity Slot Challenge

The ceremony introduced the first “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge. The event generated approximately $35,000 in donations distributed among 10 Southern Nevada organizations. Funding came from contributions by the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, which serves as owner and operator of the Palms, together with IGT as the slot machine supplier. Organizers structured the challenge around slot play to combine the opening celebration with immediate charitable impact, and the resulting funds support local groups serving the region.

Operational Context and Timeline

The enclosed area began accepting public play prior to the formal ribbon-cutting, allowing initial guest feedback before the ceremonial milestone. Separation from the main floor ensures the nonsmoking designation remains consistent, while the dedicated bar reduces the need for guests to exit the space. The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority oversaw the project as part of ongoing adjustments to the property’s gaming layout. IGT supplied the 224 machines installed throughout the new section, completing the equipment roster ahead of the public opening.

Observers note that the timeline placed the charity challenge directly alongside the ribbon-cutting, linking the physical debut with the donation announcement in a single program. The 10 recipient organizations each received portions of the $35,000 total, reflecting the joint commitment from teh authority and IGT. This coordinated approach kept the focus on both the new gaming capacity and the measurable charitable outcome generated during the inaugural event.

Conclusion

The Palms hotel-casino has integrated the 7,300-square-foot nonsmoking gaming space into its operations, complete with 224 slot machines and an on-site bar. The ribbon-cutting ceremony also marked the start of the “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge, which delivered roughly $35,000 to 10 Southern Nevada organizations through support from the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority and IGT. The enclosed area remains distinct from the main gaming floor and was developed in response to guest demand for additional smoke-free choices.