If you’ve ever walked the halls of the Palms, you know it feels different. It’s not just the neon or the distance from the Strip. It’s the energy.
For years, people kept asking the same question: Who actually owns the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas now? The answer used to be a rotating door of billionaire families and corporate giants. But today, the story is much deeper than a simple real estate transaction.
Honestly, it's historic.
The Current Owner: Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation
Right now, the Palms is owned and operated by the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (SMGHA). This is a business arm of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, a federally recognized Native American tribe based in Southern California.
They made history.
When the tribe officially took over in 2021 and reopened the doors in 2022, the Palms became the first resort in Las Vegas to be 100% owned and operated by a Native American tribe. While other tribes have footprints in Vegas—the Mohegan Tribe manages the casino at Virgin Hotels and the Seminoles bought the Mirage—San Manuel was the first to own the whole thing, land and all.
👉 See also: Why 4 in a row online 2 player Games Still Hook Us After 50 Years
They paid $650 million to buy it from Red Rock Resorts (the Fertitta family). If you consider that Red Rock had poured nearly $1 billion into the place before selling, the tribe basically got a massive discount on a legendary property.
How We Got Here: A Wild Ownership Timeline
The Palms hasn't exactly had a "quiet" life. It’s been through the ringer.
The Maloof Era (2001–2011)
George Maloof Jr. was the visionary. He wanted a "cool" hotel. He succeeded.
Opened in November 2001, the Palms was the "it" spot. You had The Real World: Las Vegas filming there. You had Britney Spears and NBA stars hanging at Ghostbar. The Maloof family owned 88%, with Station Casinos and the Greenspun Corporation holding small stakes. It was the peak of celebrity culture in Vegas.
The Corporate Handover (2011–2016)
Then the 2008 recession hit. Hard.
By 2011, the Maloofs were struggling. They lost control of the property to private equity firms TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners. For a few years, it felt like the Palms lost its soul. It was still there, but the "cool factor" was fading into corporate management.
The Red Rock / Fertitta Experiment (2016–2021)
Red Rock Resorts stepped in and bought the place for $312.5 million in 2016.
They went big. Like, really big. They spent over $600 million on a renovation that brought in Hirst art pieces and the KAOS nightclub. But the timing was brutal. The pandemic forced a shutdown in March 2020, and while other casinos reopened, the Palms stayed dark.
✨ Don't miss: Lust Academy Season 1: Why This Visual Novel Actually Works
For two years, the towers sat empty against the Vegas skyline.
Why the San Manuel Ownership Matters
When the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians stepped in, they weren't just buying a building. They were diversifying an empire. Back in California, they already run Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, one of the most successful tribal gaming operations in the country.
You've probably noticed the shift if you've visited recently.
The new management, currently led by General Manager Kevin Glass (who was promoted in late 2025), has moved away from the "ultra-expensive club" vibe that Red Rock tried. Instead, they’ve focused on "Native American hospitality." This means a lot of community outreach, better perks for locals, and bringing back some of the soul the property had in the early 2000s.
They also brought back the buffet. If you know Vegas, you know the people demanded the buffet.
🔗 Read more: OG John Wick Skin: Why Everyone Still Calls The Reaper by the Wrong Name
What Most People Get Wrong
People often think the Palms is part of the MGM or Caesars empire because it’s so close to the Strip.
It isn't.
It remains a fiercely independent property. That independence is its superpower. They don't have to follow the corporate "template" that makes every hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard feel the same.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Visit
If you're planning a trip to see what the San Manuel tribe has done with the place, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Rewards: Since they also own Yaamava' in California, there are often crossover perks for gamblers.
- The Art is Still There: Most of that $600 million renovation art—including the famous Damien Hirst shark—stayed after the sale. It's essentially a free museum.
- Ghostbar is Back: It’s arguably the best view in the city. Go at sunset.
- Locals Rule: Keep an eye out for "Locals" specials. The new owners are very aggressive about winning back the people who actually live in Clark County.
The Palms is no longer a playground for struggling billionaires. It’s a flagship for tribal sovereignty and a very well-funded bet on the future of off-Strip luxury.
To see the latest room rates or check the current concert lineup at the Pearl Theater, visit the official Palms website or check their social media channels for recent "locals only" promos.