The Station Casinos empire, which now includes more than 20 properties in Las Vegas and beyond, started modestly on July 1, 1976. That was when Frank Fertitta Jr., whose Vegas hospitality career began with a gig as a bellman at the Tropicana before he became a casino dealer, pit boss, and general manager, opened a 5,000-square-foot gaming hall attached to the Mini-Price Motor Inn on Sahara Avenue.

Fertitta’s off-Strip gamble, originally known as The Casino, has grown into the 21-story Palace Station resort. The entrepreneur’s sons, Frank III and Lorenzo, now run casino-hotels that also include Palms.