Nevada Supreme Court: Strip Club Dancers Are Employees

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Adult entertainers who danced at Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club in Las Vegas were employees and not independent contractors, according to the Nevada Supreme Court, which ruled that 6,500 dancers could be eligible for millions of dollars in back wages.

Yesterday's unanimous decision, 7-0, sends the case back to a lower court to determine how much the dancers are owed.

Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club, billed as the “World’s Largest Strip Club,” maintained it merely provided a venue for the dancers and that "exotic dancing is customarily performed by independent contractors and therefore is not an integral part of Sapphire's business."

But the high court said that Sapphire management dictated dancers’ appearance and interaction with customers, as well as work schedules. The performers also paid fees to the club's management and the disc jockey.

"Sapphire is actually able to 'heavily monitor [the performers], including dictating their appearance, interactions with customers, work schedules and minute to minute movements when working,' while ostensibly ceding control to them," the justices said in the ruling.

"This reality undermines Sapphire's characterization of the 'choices' it offers performers and the freedom it suggests that these choices allow them; the performers are, for all practical purposes, 'not on a pedestal, but in a cage.'"

With the ruling, the high court reversed the lower court's pre-trial summary judgment in favor of Sapphire Gentlemen's Club and remanded the class-action suit for further proceedings consistent with the opinion.

View Nevada Supreme Court opinion

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Viben Debuts 'Dreamii' Collection

Viben has unveiled its new Dreamii line of pleasure products.

Elegant Angel Showcase 'Jodi West Goes Gonzo' Premieres

Jodi West gets the spotlight in a new four-part showcase release from Elegant Angel.

Khloe Kapri, Sophia Locke Lead 'The Mistress 7' From Sweet Sinner

Khloe Kapri and Sophia Locke star in “The Mistress 7,” from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Eve Sweet Performs Her 1st Gangbang for Blacked

Vixen Angel Eve Sweet has performed her first gangbang in the latest release from Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint Blacked.

Onahole Debuts New 'Brain Hacker DX' Stroker

Pleasure brand Onahole has introduced its new Brain Hacker DX stroker.

Violet Voss Fronts Latest From Mofos

Violet Voss stars in the latest scene from Mofos, titled “Pitching a Tent for Violet.”

Abigaiil Morris Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Abigaiil Morris stars in the latest release from Brazzers, titled “Caged And Cum-Hungry: Abigaiil's Blowbang.”

Dorcel Renews Clara Mia's Brand Ambassadorship

Dorcel has renewed performer/director Clara Mia’s contract as brand ambassador.

Ricky's Room Drops 2nd Installment of Baby Gemini Showcase

Ricky’s Room has released the second installment of its Baby Gemini showcase, titled "Two Deliveries to Gemini’s Room."

Show More