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Palms Casino Launches Enclosed Nonsmoking Gaming Expansion with Inaugural Charity Slot Challenge

Nils Lang · Sep 3, 2026

Palms Casino Launches Enclosed Nonsmoking Gaming Expansion with Inaugural Charity Slot Challenge

Interior view of the new nonsmoking gaming area at Palms hotel-casino featuring slot machines and bar

The Palms hotel-casino in Las Vegas held a grand opening celebration for its new 7,300-square-foot, fully enclosed nonsmoking gaming expansion which opened to the public the prior week and this event raised approximately $35,000 for 10 Southern Nevada charities via the inaugural “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge while the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority as owner and operator donated $25,000 total at $2,500 per charity with IGT adding $10,000 in tournament prizes and the area features 224 slot machines along with its own bar near the sportsbook according to reports from the Review Journal.

Details of the New Gaming Expansion

Construction of the 7,300-square-foot space created a fully enclosed nonsmoking environment that separates the gaming floor from adjacent areas and this design allows players to enjoy slot machines without exposure to smoke from other parts of the property yet remains connected to the main casino operations through strategic placement near the sportsbook where the dedicated bar serves guests throughout operating hours and the total machine count reaches 224 units all configured for standard slot play with modern interfaces and various game themes that appeal to a broad range of visitors.

The Spin It Forward Charity Slot Challenge

During the grand opening celebration organizers launched the “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge as the centerpiece fundraising activity and participants competed in tournament-style play that generated the reported $35,000 total for distribution among 10 Southern Nevada charities while IGT contributed $10,000 specifically earmarked as tournament prizes which supplemented the base donations and encouraged higher engagement from attendees who took part in the spinning events throughout the evening and this format marked the first time the challenge occurred at the property setting a precedent for future similar gatherings.

Close-up of slot machines in the new Palms nonsmoking gaming expansion during the charity event

Donation Breakdown and Organizational Roles

The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority provided the primary contribution of $25,000 divided evenly at $2,500 per charity across the full roster of 10 organizations and this amount combined with IGT's prize allocation produced the overall $35,000 figure that reached the designated recipients in Southern Nevada where local nonprofits often rely on such gaming industry events for operational support and community programs and observers note that the split structure ensured each charity received equal base funding regardless of individual tournament outcomes.

Integration with Existing Casino Amenities

Placement of the new expansion near the sportsbook creates convenient access for guests who transition between sports betting and slot play without leaving the immediate vicinity while the on-site bar offers beverages and light service that enhances the enclosed environment and maintains the nonsmoking policy throughout the 7,300-square-foot footprint which opened to the public one week before the formal celebration took place allowing initial visitor feedback to inform the event setup and machine configurations that ultimately supported the charity challenge activities.

Conclusion

The combination of the physical expansion features, the charity slot tournament mechanics, and the specific donation amounts from San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority plus IGT produced a single coordinated event that delivered measurable support to Southern Nevada organizations while introducing the new nonsmoking gaming space to a wider audience through the Palms hotel-casino celebration.