How a Las Vegas resort became the first to have a Native American owner

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Palms Casino Resort, once a playground for celebrities and reality television stars, has reinvented itself under new ownership. After decades of fluctuating fortunes and high-profile renovations, the property made history in 2022 as the first Las Vegas resort to be owned and operated by a Native American nation.

Opened in 2001 by George Maloof, the Palms was designed to bridge the gap between local residents and tourists. It quickly gained fame as the setting for the reality show The Real World: Las Vegas and became known for its extravagant amenities, including a recording studio, a Playboy Club, and the Pearl Concert Theater. The resort’s early success spurred rapid expansion, leading to the construction of the Fantasy Tower in 2005 and the Palms Place condo hotel in 2008.

The resort faced significant financial headwinds during the Great Recession, leading to a series of ownership changes. It was sold in 2011 to TPG and Leonard Green & Partners, and later purchased by Red Rock Resorts in 2016. Despite a massive $620 million renovation that introduced high-concept venues like the Kaos nightclub and a $200,000-per-night Empathy Suite designed by Damien Hirst, the property struggled to regain its former prominence. The Kaos venue alone lost nearly $50 million before closing abruptly in 2019.

In 2021, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation purchased the resort for $650 million. Reopening in April 2022, the new owners shifted the focus away from the high-octane nightlife that defined previous eras, prioritizing gaming and local appeal instead. This transition marked a significant departure from the resort's history as a celebrity-driven party destination, signaling a new chapter for the property as it integrates into the portfolio of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

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