Palms Hotel-Casino Opens Enclosed Nonsmoking Gaming Expansion with Charity Slot Challenge
Viktor Lehmann · Sep 4, 2026
Palms Hotel-Casino Opens Enclosed Nonsmoking Gaming Expansion with Charity Slot Challenge
The Palms hotel-casino in Las Vegas held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new 7,300-square-foot fully enclosed nonsmoking gaming expansion that features 224 slot machines along with its own bar and this event marked the official recognition of an area that had already opened to the public the prior week.
Attendees gathered to mark the addition while the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority which serves as owner and operator joined IGT in supporting the inaugural “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge that raised roughly $35,000 for 10 Southern Nevada nonprofits through combined donations from both organizations.
Details of the New Gaming Expansion
The expansion provides a dedicated space where guests can access the 224 slot machines inside an enclosed environment that remains separate from other areas of the property and the inclusion of its own bar allows visitors to enjoy refreshments without leaving the nonsmoking section. Observers note that the facility spans 7,300 square feet and this size accommodates the machines along with circulation space for players and staff during regular operations.
Those who attended the ceremony saw the practical layout firsthand as the design keeps the gaming floor contained while maintaining easy access from adjacent parts of the casino floor. The Palms team coordinated with IGT to install the slot machines ahead of the public opening and the bar component was integrated to support extended visits within the same enclosed zone.
The Spin It Forward Charity Challenge
The “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge took place as part of the ribbon-cutting activities and this inaugural event channeled proceeds directly to 10 Southern Nevada nonprofits. Donations came from the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority in its role as owner and operator together with IGT which supplied both the machines and additional support for the cause.
Participants engaged with the slot machines during the challenge while the total raised reached roughly $35,000 and this amount was distributed among the selected organizations serving the local community. The structure of the event allowed the contributions to flow through the gaming activity itself rather than through separate collection methods.
Representatives from the participating nonprofits received recognition during the ceremony and the combined effort between the property owner and the gaming technology provider demonstrated one way the industry can direct resources toward regional causes. The challenge format tied the new machines directly to the fundraising outcome and this approach created a visible link between the expansion opening and the charitable results.
Context Around the Event Timing
The ribbon-cutting followed the public debut by one week which allowed initial guest feedback to inform the formal celebration and this sequencing gave staff time to address any operational details before the official gathering. The enclosed nonsmoking designation aligns with existing preferences among certain player groups who seek dedicated spaces within larger casino properties.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal coverage of the event the donations reached the reported total through the coordinated contributions and the full story appears on their site. The Southern Nevada focus of the beneficiary list keeps the impact local to the communities surrounding the Palms location.
Conclusion
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Palms hotel-casino therefore combined the introduction of the 7,300-square-foot nonsmoking gaming area with the first “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge and the resulting $35,000 in donations reached 10 Southern Nevada nonprofits through support from the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority along with IGT. The 224 slot machines and integrated bar now operate within the enclosed space that opened to the public the week before the formal event. This single occasion illustrates how a property can mark a physical expansion while directing proceeds from associated activities toward regional organizations.