4 Sep 2026
Palms Hotel-Casino Opens New Enclosed Nonsmoking Gaming Expansion in Las Vegas
The Palms hotel-casino in Las Vegas held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new 7,300-square-foot, fully enclosed nonsmoking gaming expansion which opened to the public the prior week, and the event featured the inaugural “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge that raised roughly $35,000 for 10 Southern Nevada charities through donations from the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority along with IGT.
Attendees gathered to mark the occasion as the space welcomed its first guests after construction wrapped up, while the charity challenge ran throughout the day with participants spinning slots to generate funds that went directly to local organizations in need.
Details of the New Gaming Space
The expansion houses 224 slot machines alongside a full-service bar, and developers created the area in direct response to guest demand for more smoke-free options at the property; the entire section remains fully enclosed to keep smoke from other parts of the casino out while providing a dedicated environment for those who prefer it.
Guests can now access this addition during regular operating hours, and the setup includes standard gaming amenities plus the bar which serves drinks without requiring visitors to leave the nonsmoking zone.
The Charity Slot Challenge
The “Spin It Forward” event marked the first time this particular IGT initiative took place at the Palms, and proceeds from the challenge combined with contributions from both the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority and IGT reached the $35,000 total that benefits the 10 Southern Nevada charities; each spin helped accumulate donations that organizers distributed evenly among the selected groups.
Representatives from the participating organizations attended the ceremony to accept teh funds, while players and staff celebrated the dual purpose of opening the new space and supporting community causes at the same time.
Background on the Development
Management at the Palms decided to add this nonsmoking section after receiving consistent feedback from visitors who wanted more choices when it comes to gaming environments, and the project aligns with broader trends in the Las Vegas area where properties continue to adapt their offerings to meet changing preferences; the 7,300-square-foot footprint allows for the 224 machines without crowding, and the full enclosure maintains separation from smoking areas elsewhere in the casino.
The prior week’s public opening gave early players a chance to try the new slots before the formal ribbon-cutting, and the charity component added an extra layer to the celebration by channeling proceeds into local support networks that cover everything from health services to education programs across Southern Nevada.
According to a Las Vegas Review-Journal report, the event highlighted cooperation between the property owner, IGT, and community partners, while the resulting donations reached their intended recipients without delay.
Impact on Local Charities
Ten organizations in Southern Nevada received shares of the $35,000 total, and the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority plus IGT covered the contributions that made the giving possible; this approach allowed the opening festivities to extend beyond the casino walls and into the surrounding community where the funds can address immediate needs.
Event organizers noted steady participation in the slot challenge throughout the day, and the enclosed nature of the new gaming area meant all activity stayed contained while still offering full access to the bar and machines for those who joined in.
Conclusion
The Palms hotel-casino now operates the new nonsmoking expansion as a permanent addition to its gaming floor, and the successful ribbon-cutting along with the charity challenge established a model that connects property improvements with community support; visitors continue to use the 224 slots and bar in the smoke-free setting that opened the prior week, while the $35,000 raised through the inaugural “Spin It Forward” event supports the 10 Southern Nevada charities as planned.