The 32-foot-tall marshmallow-like structure was torn down Tuesday night, as part of owner Alex Meruelo’s re-branding of SLS Las Vegas, but the statue did not go down without a bang. The hotel is going back to its original name and will officially become Sahara Las Vegas on Thursday, with ongoing changes to the resort happening through 2020. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Owner Alex Meruelo announced during a special event at the SLS Las Vegas that the hotel-casino will become Sahara Las Vegas in its next iteration. Meruelo said $150 million dollars will be spent to renovate the current property. (Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
William Hill CEO Joe Asher comments on the Supreme Court decision to overturn a federal ban on sports gambling in states other than Nevada.
1. A propaganda video posted on social media by an Islamic State group features brief footage of the Las Vegas Strip. Las Vegas police are treating it as a credible threat, even though the short clip was determined to be from 2015. In wake of the Manchester bombings, and the upcoming holiday weekend, police are stepping up patrols and surveillance on the Strip, downtown and at local community events.
2. A notorious pimp who kidnapped and forced a teenager into prostitution died this weekend in prison. Robert Sharpe III was found unresponsive in his cell Thursday evening and was later pronounced dead Saturday night. Sharpe, was sentenced a year ago to life without parole, and the cause of death has yet to be determined.
3. The SLS Las Vegas has sold to Alex Meruelo and Meruelo Group for an undisclosed amount from Stockbridge Capital Partners. The companies said Tuesday, the transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017. The SLS Las Vegas was formerly known as the Sahara before reopening in 2014 after a $415 million upgrade.
