These days, how many people can say they’ve worked for the same company for 16 years? Not many. But, Lakeita Ahern, bingo room and keno manager at Palace Station, certainly can. In fact, she joined the Station Casinos family when she was in high school. While Ahern was enrolled in the school’s travel and tourism academy, Station Casinos “picked 10 people for a three-month internship. (It) was at Palace Station,” said the Vegas native. “We learned the demands of the business and how it all worked.”
After graduation, Ahern worked at Palace Station, then in the Station Casinos’ corporate office before moving to Texas Station, where she took on her first management role in their bingo room. A year ago, when Palace Station completed the new bingo room, Ahern was tapped to manage it and help with the launch. “I think that opening a new room, every day is a learning opportunity,” she said. “Since it’s still the first year, we’re learning what works and what doesn’t. … That’s the great thing about being a manager of a new room—you can make it your own.”
Besides the bingo room’s new upgraded amenities, Ahern attributes the success of the room to its workers. “As the manager, I allow the team to show their personality; one thing you can’t teach is personality,” she said. “So I allow their personalities to shine, and that’s what makes this bingo room so awesome. It brings the bingo room to life.”
Purple Dauber
At the Palace Station bingo room, guests can take a seat at the bar (yes, there’s a bar inside the bingo room). There’s also a food counter, VIP area, large-screen TVs, separate smoking room and nontraditional bingo room tables set up for more of a communal experience. At the bar, guests can order from the menu of specialty cocktails, the most popular being the Purple Dauber—a combination of tequila, blue curaçao, sweet and sour mix and cranberry juice. On April 29, the bingo room throws its Bingo After Dark event. Beginning at 9 p.m., guests can enjoy neon lights, a live DJ and a fun party atmosphere.
