Station Casinos will celebrate 50 years in Las Vegas this July, marking five decades of serving locals across the Las Vegas Valley. To commemorate the landmark occasion, the famed Las Vegas locals gaming and entertainment provider will host a month-long anniversary paying tribute to its humble origins and celebration filled with can’t-miss events and offerings beginning Wednesday, July 1.
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The History of Station Casinos
Frank Fertitta Jr., who started in the gaming industry as a dealer at the Stardust, had a novel idea back in the 70’s to create a casino that would cater to and entertain Las Vegas locals at a time when casinos were only located on the Strip and in downtown Las Vegas. The idea was simple: create a gaming and entertainment venue for locals away from the crowds of tourists, and provide them with great value, service and convenience.
While many dismissed the idea, Fertitta, together with three other investors, defied the odds and on July 1, 1976, opened a 5,000 square foot facility called “The Casino” which was attached to the Mini Price Motor Inn on Sahara Ave., just west of the Strip. Fertitta’s vision to cater to locals has grown into one of the most successful stories in Las Vegas history.
With 100 slot machines, six table games and bingo, The Casino quickly became a local hangout. One year later, the first of many expansions took place. Over the ensuing years, more entertainment offerings were added and with the new amenities came a new name, the “Bingo Palace.” In 1984 and with the addition of a hotel tower, Bingo Palace evolved into Palace Station laying the foundation for what would become Station Casinos.
In the mid-to-late 80’s, Mr. Fertitta’s sons, Frank III and Lorenzo, had the opportunity to learn the gaming business from their father. They also studied how the town was developing and had a vision for growing the company by replicating the experience guests enjoyed at Palace Station throughout other areas in the Las Vegas Valley. In 1993, Fertitta Jr. retired from the business and turned over the reigns to his son Frank Fertitta III who fueled the company’s growth by taking the company public.
As Frank III was refining the company’s formula for a successful local’s casino, he was also planning for the company’s future. He believed that the same type of convenience, value and service that his father started at the Palace Station would be successful on the other side of town, so in 1994, the company opened Boulder Station. Its success led to the development of additional casinos and the strategic acquisition of additional land for future development.
Today the Company owns and operates 20 entertainment destinations throughout Southern Nevada, including Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch Resort, Durango Casino & Resort, Sunset Station, Santa Fe Station, Wildfire Gaming and Seventy Six Taverns.
Over the last 50 years, Station Casinos has grown alongside Las Vegas, creating neighborhood destinations designed for locals and visitors alike. This highly anticipated anniversary marks more than a company milestone, it is a celebration of the local guests, the thousands of team members and the communities who have been a part of the Station Casinos story since 1976.
“For 50 years, Station Casinos has been honored to grow alongside the Las Vegas community we proudly call home. This milestone is truly a celebration of our guests, the locals who have supported us for generations, the communities that have evolved with us, and especially our Team Members, whose passion and dedication create unforgettable experiences every day,” said Frank Fertitta IV, Senior Vice President of Operations for Station Casinos.
“While Las Vegas has changed tremendously over the years, one thing has remained the same, we are still a family-run company committed to delivering great value, genuine hospitality, and a place where locals can come together to have fun, relax, and make memories. We are incredibly grateful to have been part of this city’s story for the last 50 years, and we look forward to continuing that tradition for generations to come.”
Throughout the month, Station Casinos properties will feature fireworks and a drone show, live entertainment, specialty commemoratives, and Team Member focused events. Here’s what to expect during Station Casinos’ anniversary month this July:
Station Casinos 50th Celebration Schedule
Station Casinos will kick-off the anniversary month with a fireworks and drone show at Palace Station, followed by celebratory Independence Day fireworks show across the valley. All shows will be presented by Fireworks by Grucci.
Palace Station: Fireworks & Drone Show July 1
Station Casinos will kick-off the anniversary month with a fireworks and drone show at Palace Station, followed by celebratory Independence Day fireworks show across the valley. All shows will be presented by Fireworks by Grucci.
July 4th Fireworks Celebrations
- Boulder Station will offer complimentary viewing from the property’s surface parking lots.
- Durango Casino & Resort will offer an upgraded viewing experience from Bel-Aire Backyard starting at $35 for adults and $10 for children and will feature a live DJ, prime fireworks viewing areas, complimentary glow sticks and food available for purchase. Cabana upgrades will be available for purchase.Tickets can be purchased online plus any applicable fees or in person at the gift shop starting June 1.
- Green Valley Ranch will offer an upgraded poolside viewing experience at the Backyard starting at $35 for adults and $10 for children, featuring prime fireworks viewing, a live DJ, complimentary Bomb Pops and light-up swag. Cabana upgrades starting at $300 and daybed viewing upgrades starting at $250 will also be available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased online, plus any applicable fees, or in person at the gift shop beginning Monday, June 1. Complimentary fireworks viewing will also be available from the surface parking lots.
- Red Rock Resort will light up the Summerlin sky with an upgraded poolside viewing experience starting at $35 for adults and $10 for children and will feature a live DJ, prime fireworks viewing areas, complimentary glow in the dark swag and popsicles and food available for purchase. Cabana upgrades will be available for purchase.Tickets can be purchased online plus any applicable fees or in person at the gift shop starting Monday, June 1. Complimentary viewing of the fireworks will be available at surface parking lots.
- Santa Fe Station will offer complimentary fireworks viewing from its surface parking lots.
- Sunset Station will offer complimentary fireworks viewing from its surface parking lots and from its outdoor Amphitheater with beverages for purchase.
Station Casinos 50th Anniversary Photo Booths
Starting Wednesday, July 1, Station Casinos will throw it back to when photo booths were the only way to capture a moment in time with vintage photo booths on the casino floors at the company’s seven large properties. Guests can receive a vintage photo strip and digital copy for $5.
Entertainment For Station Casinos’ 50th Anniversary
Live entertainment will take place throughout the month across Station Casinos’ properties, with performances scheduled at multiple destinations across the valley. The lineup includes:
- July 3-4: Santa Fe Station – Fab Four Tribute
- Friday, July 4: Palace Station – 90’s Station complimentary poolside show
- Friday, July 10: Green Valley Ranch – Grace Potter
- Saturday, July 11: Boulder Station – Los Lonely Boys
- Saturday, July 18: Red Rock Resort – Cole Swindell
- Saturday, July 18: Sunset Station Side Lawn – Patrick Lamb Jazz Series
- Friday, July 24: Durango Casino & Resort – One Night of Queen
Gaming Offers and Commemoratives
Station Casinos’ destinations will honor the 50th anniversary throughout July with gaming offers and commemorative items available during the anniversary month, including:
- Commemorative Collector’s Chips, branded Boarding Pass cards and VIP parking pass cards for eligible guests.
- Jackets for Jackpots all month long with throwback satin casino jackets when guests hit a slot jackpot worth $2,000 or more.
- Gift Days for Boarding Pass members:
- July 10: Custom Station Casinos 50th branded Full-zip windbreaker
- July 24: Custom Station Casinos 50th branded Hat and T-shirt combo
- July 31: Custom Station Casinos 50th branded Quarter-zip pullover
Station Casinos Team Members & Community Activity
Station Casinos will celebrate its more than 9700 Team Members with appreciation days across the company’s properties, recognizing the loyal team members who have helped shape the company over the years, including more than 1300 who have been with the company for 20 years or more. The longest tenured team member has worked at every iteration prior to Palace Station for 48 years.
The company also plans to give back to the community that has supported it for five decades, with properties collectively committing 1,976 volunteer hours to key partners including Three Square Food Bank, partner schools through the Public Education Foundation and Clean the World.
Food & Beverage For Station Casinos 50th Anniversary
Station Casinos will continue the anniversary celebration throughout July with classic Las Vegas value across its food and beverage offerings, including longtime guest favorites and signature specials. Offers include:
- $1.99 margaritas at all casino bars, and make it a double for $2 more
- $3 beers and shots at all casino bars
- $2.99 shrimp cocktail at Palace Station and Boulder Station cafes with a Boarding Pass
- Late-night value specials including $9.99 steak and eggs at select properties with a Boarding Pass from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.