New Palms owner San Manuel tribe vows to rehire up to 600 former casino employees
$5,000 Welcome Bonus
, new owner San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority -the gaming and hospitality business arm of the California-based San Manuel Band of Mission Indians- has publicly announced a commitment to rehire former employees of the venue.
The iconic casino, previously owned by Red Rock Resorts, saw about 1,200 of its former employees sidelined since March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the state. While other venues began reopening months later, Palms remains closed as of now and, in May this year, Red Rock announced that it would be selling it for $650 million.
As the casino prepares to reopen by March next year, Cynthia Kiser Murphey, general manager for the resort, said the business wants to “welcome back as many former Palms employees” as possible. Last week, she told Nevada gaming regulators she hoped up to 600 former employees would return to the venue.
“We’re calling all former Palms employees; we want you back,” Kiser Murphey said, according to Las Vegas Sun. The venue is currently recruiting for nearly 30 positions, from casino and hotel management to food and beverage, security and supervisory listings. A jobs website went live last Friday. , according to a San Manuel spokeswoman.
“We’re going to use a variety of community agencies to recruit,” Kiser Murphey added. “People can apply electronically, but we’ll be hosting different job fairs in the communities too. We want to attract top-quality people.”
The venue, located west of the Strip, on Flamingo Road, cleared its final regulatory hurdle with the Nevada Gaming Commission last week. The revamped property will feature over 700 rooms and feature about two dozen restaurants, along with a William Hill sportsbook.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to share our long-standing tradition of hospitality with Las Vegas and execute our vision for this iconic resort, starting by welcoming back former and current Palms employees,” said SMGHA Chairwoman Latisha Casas upon approval last week. “Together, we will create history.”
Palms will be the first Native American-owned resort in Las Vegas. According to the tribe, the reopening will require little capital improvement, since the previous owner spent roughly $1 billion to renovate the property. Only a few minor upgrades will be needed to “fire up a building” that hasn’t been occupied for a few years, said Kiser Murphey.
Among the details to sort out before reopening, the venue will have to order sheets and blankets for the hotel rooms, as well as make sure the casino has dice, cards and working gaming machines, Kiser Murphey explained. “There’s going to be a lot of ordering,” she said. “We have 23 restaurants that we need to finalize menus for, so we’re going to be working through Christmas. There’s a lot to be done.”
On the issue of rehiring former employees, Kiser Murphey told the Gaming Commission earlier this month she was unsure of just how many could be brought back, according to The Nevada Independent, “given the current labor market conditions” in Las Vegas. However, she estimated between 500 and 600 could possibly return.
The San Manuel tribe also owns and operates Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel in Highland, California. The now-rebranded venue was formerly known as San Manuel Casino, and started 35 years ago as a bingo hall. It now has become one of Southern California’s premier gaming and hospitality destinations.
Earlier this year, the tribe unveiled the first of a three-part expansion project at the casino, adding more than 6,500 slot machines, a new high-limit gaming room, retail shops, bars and new restaurants.
Last week, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians celebrated the opening of the resort at Yaamava’, featuring 432 guest rooms with 127 suites, a pool, private cabanas, a full-service spa and salon and new food and beverage options. In 2022, the expansion will be completed with the debut of a 2,800-seat entertainment venue.
