Locals gaming pioneer Frank Fertitta Jr., the founder of Station Casinos, Inc., passed away August 21 at the age of 70.

Fertitta is largely credited with the creation of the Las Vegas locals casino market, having the idea that casinos for residents don’t need to be Downtown or on the Strip, but instead in the neighborhoods where people lived. His vision became reality in 1976 when “The Casino,” a 5,000-square-foot property on West Sahara, opened. It soon became a popular hangout, and the locals market was born.

As the property gained popularity, Fertitta added bingo and changed the name to Bingo Palace. Success followed, and a series of expansions brought hotel rooms, restaurants and other amenities. The property was renamed once again in 1983 as Palace Station Hotel and Casino.

Although Fertitta retired from Station Casinos in 1993, he remained very active in other Fertitta family businesses as well as community and philanthropic affairs. Fertitta and his wife Vicki were deeply involved in and prided themselves on giving back to the Southern Nevada community. They had significant involvement in the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Bishop Gorman High School, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Nevada Cancer Institute, Opportunity Village and St. Jude’s Ranch, to name a few.