By james art A northern strip casino resort will close its poker room in November, replacing its casino floor footprint with more slots.
Sahara resort-casino general manager Paul Hobson said the hotel will close its 7-table poker room on November 16. In a statement Thursday, Hobson said the poker tables will be replaced with a new concept slot machine area.
“When it debuts in mid-December, the enhanced offerings will include dedicated slot banks where players can be among the first in Las Vegas to play the latest test games from top gaming content providers,” said Hobson in the statement. “More details on this latest SAHARA innovation will be announced soon.”
Las Vegas poker rooms have shrunk dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic. Considered loss leaders for some casinos, many small and mid-sized poker rooms have closed as a cost-saving measure. Sahara currently runs four poker tournaments every day.
Another major Strip poker room has closed in recent weeks, at least temporarily. Caesars Entertainment said the Caesars Palace poker room was closed in August to make room for slot machines while the high-limit slot area was renovated. Authorities have not set a reopening date.
Contact McKenna Ross at [email protected]. Follow @mckenna_ross_ on X.