Station Casinos is marking its 50th anniversary this July with a summer-long celebration that includes fireworks displays, drone shows, discounted food and beverage offerings, and employee appreciation events across its 20 Southern Nevada properties.

“For 50 years, Station Casinos has been honored to grow alongside the Las Vegas community we proudly call home,” said Frank Fertitta IV, senior vice president of operations and the latest member of the Fertitta family to hold a management position within the company. “This milestone is truly a celebration of our guests, the locals who have supported us for generations.”

From ‘The Casino’ to a Gaming Empire

The company traces its roots to Frank Fertitta Jr., who started as a dealer at the Stardust and envisioned a casino that would cater to Las Vegas residents rather than tourists. On July 1, 1976, he and three investors opened a 5,000-square-foot facility called “The Casino” attached to the Mini Price Motor Inn on Sahara Avenue, just west of the Strip. With 100 slot machines and a snack bar, the concept was dismissed by many in the industry at the time.

The venue expanded and was renamed the Bingo Palace in 1977, then became Palace Station in 1984 after a hotel tower was added. Fertitta’s sons, Frank III and Lorenzo, took over in the 1990s and expanded the locals-casino model across the valley with properties like Boulder Station, Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch, and the recently opened Durango.

50th Anniversary Events

Fireworks by Grucci will light up the skies over Palace Station on July 1 and at all Station properties on July 4. Premium viewing tickets are available for $35 for adults and $10 for children at select venues, including the Bel-Aire Backyard at Durango, the Backyard at Green Valley Ranch, and poolside at Red Rock Resort. Free viewing is available from all Station Casinos surface parking lots.

The company, which operates under parent Red Rock Resorts on the Nasdaq exchange, will also hold team member appreciation days to recognize its more than 9,700 employees — including over 1,300 who have been with the company for 20 years or longer.

For Las Vegas, the anniversary is more than a corporate milestone. Station Casinos helped create the locals gaming market that now represents a significant share of Southern Nevada’s casino economy, and its expansion plans — including the upcoming Inspirada Station in Henderson — suggest the model still has room to grow.

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