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Rio indefinitely closes adult-themed Sapphire Pool
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K.M. CANNON/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
A woman who gave her name as "Vanessa Ray" takes in the sights at Sapphire Pool at The Rio on April 25. » Buy this photo
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Updated: Jul. 30, 2009 | 8:17 a.m.
The Rio has indefinitely closed its adult-themed Sapphire Pool after it failed an "integrity check" by Las Vegas police on Saturday, the property's owner confirmed late Tuesday.
Harrah's Entertainment, which owns the Rio, asks the police to conduct periodic integrity checks on its nightclubs, pools and other amenities to make sure they are operating within the law.
The company would not discuss what was found.
The voluntary pool closing, which featured topless dancers from the Sapphire Gentlemen's Club, comes as Nevada gaming regulators are taking a closer look at the amenities that operate at businesses in casinos.
Gaming Control Board member Randall Sayre issued a letter in April saying regulators were taking a closer look at nightclubs, ultralounges and European pools where licensees might be found to "be indifferent to the conduct or welfare of patrons."
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I see nothing wrong with the European swim pools operated by many of the city's other casinos. Topless bathing is quite common in many European countries and it was allowed as early in the 80's at hotels such as Caesars Palace that catered to international travellers--it just wasn't advertised nor was admission charged for entry to male patrons. The problem is when a company like Harrah's hires strippers from a local gentlemen's club to staff the pool area. Like, duh, what were they expecting? Since Harrah's created this marketing scheme, they themselves should have been able to enforce the conduct of those that they employ. Obviously, there are implications within the contract they signed with the Sapphire club that prevents them from issuing the "simple termination" or the "normal suspension and termination pending investigation" that any other normal Rio/Harrahs employee would have gotten for illicit acts or for conduct unbecoming with a customer. I hope the LVMPD and the city seek monetary reimbursement from this casino since they are obviously unable to enforce compliance on their own and admittedly don't seem to know whether they are operating within the law. When you ask for help you need to pay for it. The taxpayers demand this due to already existing budget shortfalls in the city and county. Since we all know this company has had numerous well publicized issues, not knowing right from wrong, not only with this, but with not seeking proper permits and for performing renovations not up to compliance, again and again. The gaming commission needs to take a closer look at the lack of judgement being made by the leadership of this company and start issuing some hefty fines or revoke a few gaming licenses of key executives.
How would you feel knowing that you are sitting in a cabana that someone just vomited all over
That was vomit? I thought it was the buffet.
Bring back all the good old SOAK AND POLK SPOTS !!!!!!!!!!