The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians had started to show more activity in the Las Vegas market by partnering with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders and the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.
Las Vegas, NV — According to a story on VitalVegas.com, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has reportedly purchased Las Vegas’ Palms Casino, which is still shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The casino has been closed since March 18, 2020.
While financial details are not yet available, the resort’s prior owner, Red Rock Resorts, purchased it in 2016 for $312.5 million. It then spent $690 million renovating the property.
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians had started to show more activity in the Las Vegas market, with San Manuel Casino becoming a founding partner of the Las Vegas Raiders’ Allegiant stadium and sponsor of the Raiders beginning with the 2020 season. They also sponsor Las Vegas’ National Hockey League team, the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Palms features three towers with a combined 1,365 rooms. The 342-room Fantasy tower features one and two story villas with infinity pools that can cost guests up to $45,000 per night. The 428-room Ivory Tower features the most affordable room options.
The Casino contains nearly 100,000 square feet of gaming space, including 1,500 slot machines and 100 table games.
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is based in Highland, California, roughly 60 miles east of Los Angeles. The San Manuel Casino in Highland, open since 1986, contains more than 5,000 slot machines and 140 table games with jackpots reaching more than $500,000. Revenue from the casino maintains government operations, provides for Tribal general welfare, and supports economic development. The casino also provides jobs for more than 4,000 people, making it one of the top ten private employers in San Bernardino County.
The acquisition of the Palms is the latest step in the San Manuel Casino’s growth over the last several decades. In the 1980’s, the Tribe invested in a successful high-stakes bingo operation. In 1994, that operation expanded to include a 100,000 square foot casino with slot machines and a card room. In 2003, the Tribe further enhanced its facilities.
Other Tribes are also active in or exploring the Las Vegas Market. Virgin Las Vegas is currently operated by Mohegan Sun, while VitalVegas.com also reported earlier this week that the Seminole Tribe is rumored to be purchasing Bally’s and rebranding it to Hard Rock. That article did note that this rumor had not been confirmed and was based on “industry chatter.”
Native Business Magazine
Carmen Davis - Founder, Publisher and Executive Editor
Mrs. Davis is the founder, publisher and executive editor of the only Native American wholly owned and operated national tribal business publication, Native Business Magazine, and the producer of the annual and nationally attended Native Business Summit.
Mrs. Davis is also president of Davis Strategy Group has over 23 years of service to Indian Country and as an entrepreneur she has successfully established, operated, managed and grown several businesses in multiple sectors. She is equal parts a strategic visionary and behind-the-scenes implementor, essential in guiding and overseeing every process of brand development, business expansion, nation-to-nation relationship building and more.
She was named in 2009 as one of the first recipients of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s, “40 Under 40” award which recognizes up and coming community and business leaders from across Indian Country.
