Palms Casino Marks Opening of Dedicated Nonsmoking Gaming Space with Charity Event
Écrit par Alex Washington · 4/9/2026
Palms Casino Marks Opening of Dedicated Nonsmoking Gaming Space with Charity Event
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 now features 224 slot machines along with its own bar, and the event raised roughly $35,000 for 10 local nonprofits through the inaugural “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge with $25,000 contributed by the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority as owner and operator plus $10,000 from IGT allocated based on tournament results while the fully separated space was added in response to guest demand for more nonsmoking options.
Details of the Expansion and Ceremony
Guests and officials gathered at the Palms to celebrate the addition of this dedicated area that keeps all gaming activity separated from the rest of the property and provides a self-contained environment complete with 224 slot machines plus a dedicated bar for convenience during play, and the ribbon-cutting marked the formal launch after the space had already welcomed visitors for several days prior to the event itself.
The design responds directly to requests from visitors who sought expanded choices for smoke-free gaming sessions and the enclosed layout ensures complete separation while still offering the same range of slot options found elsewhere on the floor.
Charity Slot Challenge Raises Funds
Participants took part in the “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge which directed proceeds toward 10 local nonprofits and produced a total of roughly $35,000 in donations split between contributions from the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority and IGT with the latter portion distributed according to results from the tournament format and this marked the first time the challenge format was used at the property.
Funds reached organizations across the Las Vegas area through the combined pledges and the tournament structure allowed players to influence how the IGT portion was divided among the selected groups.
Background on Guest Demand and Property Response
The Palms added the new space after noting repeated requests from visitors who preferred nonsmoking environments during extended gaming sessions and the 7,300-square-foot footprint provides room for 224 machines along with the bar without requiring guests to leave the enclosed section for refreshments or other amenities.
Management at the property cited direct feedback from patrons as the driving factor behind the decision to create this fully separated addition and the layout keeps the area distinct from adjacent smoking sections while maintaining access to the same game variety.
Allocation of Funds and Participating Groups
The $25,000 portion from the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority combined with the $10,000 from IGT created the overall total of roughly $35,000 and distribution occurred according to the outcomes of the charity slot tournament which involved players competing on the new machines during the event and this approach tied the gaming activity itself to the charitable outcome.
Ten nonprofits received shares of the raised amount though specific names were not detailed in initial announcements and the structure allowed the tournament results to determine individual allocations within the IGT contribution.
Operational Features of the New Space
The enclosed gaming area operates as a standalone section within the larger casino floor and includes 224 slot machines that cover a range of denominations and themes while the on-site bar eliminates the need for guests to exit for drinks or service during their visit and staff monitor the space to maintain the nonsmoking policy throughout operating hours.
Access remains open to all eligible guests who prefer the smoke-free setting and the design incorporates ventilation and separation measures that keep the environment distinct from other areas of the property.
Conclusion
The ribbon-cutting at teh Palms highlighted both the new nonsmoking gaming expansion and the success of the first “Spin It Forward” challenge in supporting local nonprofits and the combination of the 7,300-square-foot space with 224 machines and its own bar directly addresses ongoing guest preferences while the $35,000 raised through the event demonstrates how the property integrated charitable giving into the opening activities. According to coverage in the Las Vegas Review-Journal the initiative reflects broader efforts by casino operators to expand options for visitors seeking smoke-free play environments.