Palms Hotel-Casino Opens Enclosed Nonsmoking Gaming Space with Charity Tournament in Las Vegas

The Palms hotel-casino in Las Vegas held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 2 2026 for a new 7,300-square-foot fully enclosed nonsmoking gaming expansion that had opened to the public the week before and the event centered on a charity slot tournament that directed funds to local nonprofits.

Observers note the expansion includes 224 slot machines along with its own dedicated bar while the entire space remains separated from smoking areas elsewhere in the property and this setup allows guests to enjoy gaming without exposure to smoke during their sessions.

Details of the New Gaming Expansion

The facility spans 7,300 square feet and features a complete enclosure that maintains separation from other parts of the casino floor and it houses 224 slot machines that became available when the area opened to visitors in late August 2026 and the addition also incorporates a standalone bar for convenience during play.

Those who attended the September 2 ceremony saw the space in full operation and the design supports continuous access for players seeking a smoke-free environment while the bar area provides refreshments without requiring guests to leave the gaming zone and this combination creates a self-contained experience within the larger property.

The Inaugural Spin It Forward Charity Event

The ribbon-cutting coincided with the first “Spin It Forward” IGT Charity Slot Challenge which raised approximately $35,000 for 10 Southern Nevada nonprofits and the funds came from a $25,000 contribution by the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority as owner and operator of the Palms plus $10,000 from IGT with distribution determined by tournament outcomes.

Participants competed on the new slot machines during the event and results from those rounds decided how the pooled donations reached each of the selected organizations and this approach tied the gaming activity directly to the charitable outcome while the ceremony marked both the expansion opening and the launch of the annual challenge.

Event records show the tournament ran on the 224 machines inside the enclosed area and the bar remained open throughout to serve attendees and the structure encouraged repeat play that contributed to the final totals raised for the nonprofits and observers note this format combined celebration of the new space with measurable support for local causes.

Funding Breakdown and Distribution

The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority supplied the larger share at $25,000 while IGT added $10,000 to reach the overall $35,000 figure and allocation among the 10 Southern Nevada nonprofits occurred according to individual tournament results rather than equal division and this method rewarded performance during the challenge itself.

Records from the event confirm the money reached the designated groups shortly after the September 2 2026 ceremony and the Palms has indicated the Spin It Forward challenge will continue in future years with similar structures that link gaming activity to charitable giving and the initial round established the baseline for those upcoming editions.

Context Within Las Vegas Casino Developments

The addition of the enclosed nonsmoking section aligns with ongoing adjustments at off-strip properties that seek to broaden appeal and the 7,300-square-foot footprint with 224 machines represents a focused investment in a dedicated amenity and the charity component adds a community dimension that extends beyond standard operations.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal coverage of the ceremony the event drew attention to the new space while also highlighting the partnership between the Palms operator and IGT on the tournament format and further details appear in the publication's report on the opening and the associated fundraising.

Conclusion

The September 2 2026 ribbon-cutting at the Palms therefore served multiple purposes by unveiling the nonsmoking gaming expansion while simultaneously generating $35,000 through the Spin It Forward challenge for 10 Southern Nevada nonprofits and the combination of the 224-slot facility with its bar and the charity tournament created a single event that addressed both facility upgrades and community support and the structure sets a template for similar initiatives at the property in subsequent years.