UNO Casino Club Hits Las Vegas With Nationwide

 For numerous Americans, casinos might evoke glamorous images reminiscent of James Bond's sophistication and high-stakes strategy games, but a new venue is set to debut—centered around UNO.

The card game, favored by families and children due to its straightforward rules, will be the primary attraction at a dedicated suite in Sin City this week, with plans for similar UNO venues across the nation.

Palms Casino Resort has introduced a wild card by launching the first-ever "UNO Social Club" just off the Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. More UNO clubs are anticipated to open throughout the U.S. later this year, as stated by toymaker Mattel, which owns the brand.

It remains uncertain whether players will be able to gamble on the game in Vegas, and Newsweek has reached out via email, outside of regular working hours, to both Mattel and Palms for clarification and comments. Additionally, Newsweek has inquired about which other cities can expect to see UNO Social clubs in the future.

Why It Matters

The beloved card game UNO is owned by approximately 80 percent of American households, according to the National Museum of Play, which has labeled it "America's favorite game."

Currently, new "UNO Social Clubs" are being planned for locations nationwide, with the first one opening its doors at Palms. Mattel held a competition in May offering a complimentary stay at the resort for a winner and their guest, who will enjoy the UNO Social Club from Friday (July 18) to Sunday. A press release distributed by Palms at that time indicated that the two guests would experience "a technicolor suite immersed in the brand's iconic red, yellow, blue, and green colors, filled with UNO-themed features, including a private bowling alley and game-inspired décor."

What To Know

UNO was created by a barber named Merle Robbins in 1971, with toy giant Mattel acquiring the rights to the game in 1992. This was a shrewd move, as an UNO set was sold in the U.S. nearly every second in 2023, with almost 60 games sold each minute, according to a CNN profile of the game.