Station Casinos, operator of six Las Vegas area casinos (soon to be seven), is seeing its "locals strategy" pay off in a big way. The company is in such good financial shape that executives are considering expansion to as many as four additional locations in the city. Station's stock jumped 43% in 2004, and has compounded at an annual rate of nearly 23% each year since 1995 - putting the company in prime position to continue its growth.

The company primarily caters to local Las Vegas area residents, with locations strategically placed on the outskirts of the metro area. By doing this, Station is able to market a more "laid back" atmosphere for its guests. And with the recent announcement of a new poker room at Green Valley Ranch, the company now has poker at each property. Any expansion would most likely mean even more locations for poker afficionados, and that is always a good thing.