Station Casinos celebrates 40th anniversary
On July 1, 1976, Frank Fertitta Jr. opened a 5,000-square-foot facility called The Casino attached to the Mini Price Motor Inn on Sahara Avenue.
US.- Frank Fertitta Jr. opened a 5,000-square-foot facility called The Casino attached to the Mini Price Motor Inn on Sahara Avenue west of the Strip on July 1, 1976, featuring 100 slot machines, a few table games and a snack bar.
One year later, the first expansion took place with the arrival of a bingo room and an appropriate name change to the “Bingo Palace.” As the year passed, Fertitta added more entertainment amenities and the desire for a more fitting name. Fertitta believed it was important for his guests to have a say in the property’s evolution, so he created a “Name the Casino” promotion. More than 26,000 entries were received in three weeks and a Las Vegan named Claire Jarvis won first place with her suggestion of “Palace Station.”
Frank III realised how Las Vegas was growing and thought the Palace Station business model could be successfully replicated so he opened Boulder Station back in 1994. Its success led to the development of additional entertainment destinations throughout Las Vegas. Station Casinos started with 90 team members and now has more than 12,000, owns 19 gaming venues and, with the recent announcement to acquire The Palms, will soon have 20.
Station Casinos will be celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout July with fireworks, events and especial promotions.
