Sahara Las Vegas to replace poker room with slots in December

Sahara Las Vegas will close its seven-table poker room on November 16, pivoting to a new slot machine concept that will launch in mid-December, the north Strip resort-casino announced. 

The change comes as poker rooms continue to dwindle on the Las Vegas Strip, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in smaller and mid-sized casinos where poker has become a financial challenge. Sahara runs four poker tournaments daily.

The revamped casino area will introduce a slot-focused space featuring exclusive access to test games from top gaming providers, giving players a chance to try some of the latest innovations in slot technology. 

“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,” Sahara Las Vegas General Manager Paul Hobson said in a statement.

This move by Sahara follows a similar shift by Caesars Palace, which closed its poker room in August to make space for slot machines while the high-limit slot area is renovated. While the Caesars poker room may reopen, a date has not been set.

With poker rooms increasingly seen as “loss leaders” in some properties, several Las Vegas casinos have reallocated space toward more profitable slot machines. Sahara’s new slot concept will be announced in more detail as the December debut approaches.