Dancers who work at Sapphire by night are being hired to sunbathe topless at Rio’s adults-only pool, according to a Reuters report.
Rio is owned by Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. Caesars Palace, Mandalay Bay, the Mirage, the Venetian and the Wynn have also opened topless pools, but they haven’t announced formal pacts with any gentlemen’s clubs.
The Rio-Sapphire partnership comes at a time when the casino business is struggling due to the economic downturn, and represents a new trend for Las Vegas, which has traditionally kept gambling and sex — its two infamous vices — separate to avoid breaking Nevada laws, according to the report.
Although laws don’t prohibit topless dancing in casinos, the Nevada Gaming Control Board has refused to license strip clubs because the laws require that they “operate in a manner consistent with public safety, health and morals,” a board official told Reuters.
The official added that women can lawfully sunbathe topless in a fenced-off section in the pool area, but they cannot give lap dances. Patrons are charged $30 to $50 for admission to the fenced off areas.
The Rio and Sapphire say they are looking at other opportunities to come from their partnership, including teaming up to open nightclubs.
