Station Casinos Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Frank Fertitta Jr., who started in the gaming industry as a bellman at the Tropicana, had a novel idea back in the 70’s to create a casino that would cater to 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 and a snack bar, The Casino quickly became a local’s hangout. One year later, the first of many expansions took place. Over the ensuing years, more entertainment offerings were added including additional gaming, a sports book, restaurant, buffet and bingo hall. With the new amenities came a new name, the “Bingo Palace.” In 1979, Fertitta bought out his partners and in 1984 he acquired a motel located contiguous to the Bingo Palace and changed the name of the property to Palace Station Hotel & Casino to again reflect the changing entertainment offerings.

Through more than a dozen expansions over the years, Palace Station continued to grow and 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. In 1993, Frank III took the company public as Station Casinos, Inc. (NYSE: STN) At that time, Frank Jr. retired from the business and Frank III assumed the leadership of the Company. 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. To this day, Station Casinos has a solid growth pipeline with more than 400 acres of land earmarked for future properties throughout the state and controls more gaming entitled land in Southern Nevada than any other company. The Fertittas are often credited with being the pioneers of locals gaming due to their creation of regional “entertainment malls” instead of just casinos. Each Station property offers a wide variety of restaurants to choose from to satisfy various tastes and budgets; a variety of gaming options such as slots, table games, poker, race and sports books, bingo and keno; spas and other entertainment amenities such as movie theatres, nightclubs, ice skating rinks, bars, lounges and bowling alleys.

Frank Fertitta Jr. also created innovative promotions under the theory that “Winners make customers”, such as the “Car A Day In May” giveaway that actually gave away a car every single day during May at a time when most casinos on the Strip and downtown offered one car as a grand prize, but rarely gave one to a customer.. The philosophy of rewarding players has expanded over the years with the Boarding Pass/Amigo Card loyalty card programs that reward players with points to redeem for Station Casinos’ restaurants, hotel rooms, movies, concerts, bowling, merchandise and more. The Jumbo Jackpot also follows Fertitta’s vision of providing value to players by rewarding all Boarding Pass card holders playing when the Jumbo Jackpot hits between $100,000-$150,000 with $50 in free slot play. In celebration of Station Casinos’ 30th anniversary, the company is making available a commemorative 30th Anniversary Boarding Pass and Amigo Card for guests that includes up to $500 in free slot play. Additionally, through July 9, a special anniversary Jumbo A Day Jackpot of up to $25,000 is guaranteed to hit every day and active players using their Boarding Pass/Amigo Card will win up to $25 in free slot play. The Fertitta family has always credited the company’s success to its team members who provide t he outstanding guest service that creates customer loyalty. Since 1976, the company has grown from 90 team members to one of the largest companies in Southern Nevada with more than 14,400 team members. For the past two years in a row, Station Casinos has been named by FORTUNE magazine as one of the “100 Best Companies To Work For”, a first time honor for a gaming company or a Nevada-based company. While so much has changed for Station Casinos as it has evolved over the past 30 years, one thing remains the same . . . the goal of providing locals with great value, service and convenience.