The Palms Casino Resort is one of those Las Vegas institutions that everyone knows of. The Palms, which first opened in 2001, has undergone some ownership changes along the way, but who owns the Palms Las Vegas now?
There seems to be a misconception that the Palms Casino Resort is owned by the parent company of MGM Resorts International, but that isn’t the case. The Palms was recently purchased, remodeled, and reopened in 2022 after closure during the pandemic.
Here are the nitty-gritty details about who owns the Palms now, how the resort is changing with the times, and a dash of Palms history to go along with it all.
Palms Casino Resort Under New Ownership

The Palms in Las Vegas was purchased in 2021 by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The Palms was purchased for a hefty price tag of $650 million.
The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, which is a governmental instrumentality of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, is technically the owner. The hospitality authority independently takes care and tends to the ownership, investment, and management of any gaming and hospitality investments that are located outside of the reservation.
It was quite a big deal in the Las Vegas community when the hotel was sold, but it was a monumental move for reasons you might not be aware of.
First Las Vegas Casino Owned By a Native American Tribe
This purchase by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians makes the Palms in Las Vegas the very first casino in Las Vegas to be owned by a Native American Tribe. Additionally, The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians will be only the second Native American Tribe to operate a casino in the Las Vegas Valley.
The only other casino in the valley that’s under tribal management is the Mohegan Casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. This casino is operated by Mohegan Gaming and the Mohegan Tribe.



However, the Palms isn’t the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ first foray into the world of casino gaming. The San Manuel Tribe also owns and operates the Yaamava Resort, which is located in San Bernardino County of Southern California. The Yaamava Resort is instrumental in providing economic support and opportunity for members of the tribe. It’s also one of the largest employers in the county.
Currently, Jefferies LLC is acting as the financial advisor, and Latham & Watkins LLP and Greenberg Traurig LLP are currently in place as legal counsel for the tribe.
As far as Las Vegas is concerned, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has long been supporting and uplifting the Las Vegas community. They’ve contributed to important non-profits in the community, including the Shade Tree Shelter, UNLV’s William Harrah College of Hospitality, the William S. Boyd School of Law, and the Public Education Foundation.
These contributions don’t even begin to mention the partnerships with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
Who Owned the Palms Las Vegas In the Past


The Palms has traded hands several times in its lifetime. It all started back when the site where the hotel currently stands was purchased by George Maloof in 1997. At the time, he owned Fiesta Hotel & Casino, which was eventually sold to Station Casinos. He decided to open a new resort, which would eventually become the Palms.
When the hotel finally opened in 2001, it was immediately following the September 11 attacks. Obviously, the country’s enthusiasm for tourism was at a low point, but the plans for the opening went on, except there was an extra effort made to attract some major names to bring attention to the new resort. The goal was to create a trendy vibe that attracted the same type of crowd as the Hard Rock Hotel.
Members of the Playboy Club were at the opening, along with major Hollywood names like Samuel L. Jackson, Charlize Theron, Matt Dillion, Dennis Rodman, Joe Pesci, and a long list of other A-listers.
Through a series of ownership changes, the casino resort eventually ended up in the hands of Red Rock Resorts, which is the parent company of Station Casinos. This purchase was finalized in 2016. At this point, Maloof maintained only a 2% ownership of the property.
Renovations were planned, but then the pandemic happened, and Las Vegas hotels and casinos were ordered to close. Between the point of sale and the time of the shuttering, the resort hadn’t really regained the popularity that it once had. This had the parent company wondering if the renovations were really worth it after all, and eventually, the property went up for sale.
We think the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians made an excellent choice in purchasing the property. We appreciate their approach to making the resort one that attracts locals as well as tourists, and they seem to have their finger on the pulse of what the local hospitality and gaming culture wants. Since its reopening, the Palms has continued to grow in popularity and is once again an important, vital property on the Las Vegas Strip.
The Palms Las Vegas Today



In addition to purchasing the resort for $650 million, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has invested an almost equal amount in renovating and rejuvenating the resort and casino. After the resort was closed during the pandemic, some magic happened behind the scenes.
The casino floor was given a makeover, along with the Palms Sportsbook. Changes were made to attract locals, and not just tourists, which is a strategy that many other Las Vegas hotels have failed to pay attention to. Former Palms employees were brought back, and the Palms reopened with a bright, shiny new appearance and personality in 2022.
Today, guests can relax in the newly renovated Fantasy Tower rooms, enjoy a meal out at one of the great restaurants, such as Tim Ho Wan, Serrano Vista Cafe, or Mabel’s BBQ, and a great food court if you’re looking for something fast. The hotel also offers convention space, the Palms Pearl Theater, and is a close walk to Allegiant Stadium.
FAQs
Is the Palms still owned by Maloof?
The Palms Las Vegas is currently owned by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, which purchased the Palms, remodeled it, and reopened the hotel in 2022.
How much of the Palms does the Maloof family own?
Currently, the Maloof family only owns 2% of the Palms Las Vegas.
Who bought the Palms Casino in Las Vegas?
The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority, which is a governmental instrumentality of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, purchased and currently owns the Palms in Las Vegas.
Key Takeaways
- The Palms Las Vegas is one of the most popular Strip resorts
- The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has long been supporting Nevada independent and local artists, along with non-profit organizations
- The new resort upgrades and atmosphere have been designed to attract both tourists and local customers
- The Indian Tribe has developed a responsible gaming program that will provide for the next seven generations