North Strip casino to replace poker room with slots

By McKenna Ross Las Vegas Review-Journal

4 weeks ago

Sahara resort-casino's poker room is seen Tuesday, June 16, 2020, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager ... — Sahara resort-casino’s poker room is seen Tuesday, June 16, 2020, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @benjaminhphoto

Players participate in the first poker game during the grand opening event for the new poker room at Sahara resort-casino in Las Vegas, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Poker dealer Brett Smith handles stacks of chips during the grand opening for the new poker room at Sahara resort-casino in Las Vegas, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

Sahara resort-casino’s Anthony Olheiser, vice president of food and beverage, Paul Hobson, senior vice president and general manager, and Derek Amundson, vice president of casino operations, participate during a grand opening event for the new poker room at Sahara Las Vegas casino-hotel in Las Vegas, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. (Erik Verduzco / Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Erik_Verduzco

A north Strip resort-casino will close its poker room in November, replacing its footprint on the casino floor with more slots.

Sahara Las Vegas’ general manager Paul Hobson said the property will close its seven-table poker room on Nov. 16. In a Thursday statement, Hobson said the poker tables will be replaced with a new concept area for slot machines.

“When it debuts in mid-December, the enhanced offerings will include dedicated slot banks where players can be some of the first in Las Vegas to play the newest test games from top gaming content providers,” Hobson said in the statement. “More details about this latest SAHARA innovation will be announced soon.”

Sahara opened the poker room in February 2020.

Poker rooms in Las Vegas have drastically decreased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Considered loss leaders for some casinos, many small and midsized poker rooms shuttered as a cost-saving measure. Sahara runs four poker tournaments daily.

Another major poker room on the Strip closed in recent weeks, at least temporarily. Caesars Entertainment said the Caesars Palace poker room was closed in August to make space for slot machines while the high-limit slot area is renovated. Officials have not set a reopening date.

Contact McKenna Ross at mross@reviewjournal.com. Follow @mckenna_ross_ on X.