LAS VEGAS (AP) - Frank Fertitta Jr., the founder of casino operator Station Casinos Inc. who retired when his sons took the company public, has died. He was 70.
A spokeswoman for the Las Vegas-based company told The Associated Press on that Fertitta died Friday morning after complications from a heart condition.
Born in Beaumont, Texas in 1938, Fertitta moved to Las Vegas in 1960 and worked his way up in the casino industry over the next 17 years.
Fertitta opened The Casino off the Las Vegas Strip in 1976 on the premise that he could attract locals to a casino if he offered value and great service.
The casino's name was changed to Bingo Palace in 1977 and to the Palace Station Hotel & Casino in 1983.
Fertitta retired in 1993. He is survived by a wife and three children.