By james art A developing trend
The Sahara Poker Room has a lively atmosphere with seven poker tables and runs four tournaments a week, including the Crazy Pineapple tournament. The room enjoys a loyal fanbase thanks to its frequent cash games and comfortable buy-ins starting at $50. However, changing market trends led to Sahara’s decision to discontinue its poker room.
This closure is part of a declining trend in the popularity of live poker in Las Vegas. In recent years, Treasure Island, The Mirage, Harrah’s, Green Valley Ranch, Tropicana and Flamingo have closed poker operations. Even Binion’s, famous for launching the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 1970, stopped offering live poker in March 2020.
The root of everything
Poker rooms are increasingly considered to be “loss leaders” in small and medium-sized casinos due to their high operating costs and limited revenue potential. Live poker’s ability to thrive was further challenged by the pandemic, leading to the eventual closure of these venues.
As a result, most casino resorts are revamping their gaming floors to accommodate high revenue potential options such as slots. Sahara intends to attract players who are looking for the latest slot releases from the best game developers, offering a unique gambling experience.
Commenting on the announcement, Sahara General Manager Paul Hobson said, “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.”
Hope for more poker in the future
As Las Vegas continues to lose more poker rooms, there is hope for new ones in the coming years. Bally’s new casino project attached to the Oakland A’s stadium is expected to add live poker options on the strip. Additionally, rumors speculate that the Seminole Tribe will add poker facilities as they transform the Mirage into a Hard Rock property.