The Maloof family
George Maloof Jr., the Fiesta and the making of the Palms
George Maloof Jr. led the family’s Las Vegas casino projects from the Fiesta to the Palms, pairing local-market experience with a resort known for nightlife, dining and entertainment.
A family enterprise, with George at the casino
The Palms’ construction announcement identifies Colleen Maloof and her five children: George, Gavin, Joe, Adrienne and Phil. George led the casino project; Joe and Gavin oversaw the family’s sports interests. In a later UNLV interview, George emphasized the practical hotel-business education he took into casino operations. [1] [2]
The Fiesta as a proving ground
George opened the Fiesta in 1994. That experience with Las Vegas residents informed the Palms proposal: a resort designed to attract tourists while retaining local customers. Station’s purchase of the Fiesta connects the Maloof story with the Fertittas well before the later Palms transaction. [3] [1] [6]
Making the Palms a destination
The Palms opened on November 15, 2001. Restaurants, nightlife and entertainment became integral to its identity. UNLV’s tribute records the expansion begun in 2005, encompassing the Fantasy Tower, recording facilities, the Pearl theater and Palms Place. These were successive developments, not all opening-day features. [4] [3]
The name outlives the original ownership
TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners became majority owners in 2011, reducing the family’s stake to about two percent. Station acquired the Palms in October 2016. San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority acquired it in December 2021 and reopened it in April 2022. The Maloofs’ founding chapter remains distinct from those later owners. [5] [7] [8]
Key dates
People in the same story
Frank Fertitta III
The Station leadership and later Palms ownership. [7]
Read the profileLorenzo Fertitta
Another route into the Station and entertainment businesses. [9]
Read the profileTony Marnell II
Explore the Rio, a neighboring off-Strip development. [1]
Read the profileIn the archive
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Go deeper into the record.
Sources for this profile and starting points for further research. Access notes mark links we could not open directly during the October 3–4, 2026 checks. Historical accounts describe their own period; they do not necessarily describe current operations.
- 1
Maloof family starts construction on the Palms
The body dates the announcements to October 24, despite the page’s October 1 header. Proposed amenities and the projected December 2001 opening are distinguished from completed events.
- 2
All Business: George Maloof
A firsthand reflection on hotel education and operating casinos. Its approximate Palms date is not used as an opening date.
- 3
George Maloof Jr. and the Maloof family
Useful for the Fiesta, Palms expansion and educational support. The retrospective’s Fiesta sale shorthand is not treated as an exact closing date.
Publisher-page access is unconfirmed. Access check: Oct 4, 2026. Search for this source (search results)
- 4
Maloof family has no qualms about Palms
Indexed text reports the preceding Thursday’s opening, November 15. No full-text reading or reproduction is claimed.
Subscription or access restrictions may apply. Access check: Oct 4, 2026. Search for this source (search results)
- 5
Station Casinos picks up Palms, near Strip, for $312.5 million
Indexed reporting confirms the 2011 change in majority ownership and the Maloofs’ reduced stake. This article announced the 2016 deal; the SEC filing establishes closing.
Subscription or access restrictions may apply. Access check: Oct 4, 2026. Search for this source (search results)
- 6
Guide to the Station Casinos Publicity Collection, MS-00663
Lists clippings, photographs and a 1998 transition report. This is a finding aid, not the underlying articles. Some dates in its background differ from corporate filings; filings govern executive dates and the 2016 IPO here.
- 7
Completion of the Palms acquisition
Establishes October 1, 2016 as the completed acquisition date, distinct from the May announcement.
Publisher-page access is unconfirmed. Access check: Oct 4, 2026. Search for this source (search results)
- 8
SMGHA and Palms Cares
Confirms the December 2021 acquisition by San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority and the April 2022 reopening.
- 9
Board biography: Lorenzo J. Fertitta
Distinguishes Lorenzo’s Station presidency, later vice chairmanship and Zuffa roles.