Las Vegas Casinos Topless Pools A Step Toward Stripper Clubs

The hope is that the lure of exposed female flesh will bring new gambling patrons to the casinos.

Las Vegas has long prized its nickname, Sin City. But, even though gambling and sex are big business in Nevada, the mixing of the two has been frowned upon. But, in tough economic times, new models must be examined, and casinos are getting closer to melding with strip clubs.

First, one small strip club applied for permission to install slot machines. Now big casinos are paying strippers to frequent their establishments, in hopes of drawing more customers.

Such mainstream casinos as Mandalay Bay and the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino have opened topless, adult-only pools. The hope is that the lure of exposed female flesh will bring new gambling patrons to the casinos. But hot, naked females don't just wander to these locations to be ogled.

Instead, the casinos pay girls from local strip clubs to come over and work on their tans, without tan lines. Sapphire strip club Vice-President John Lee said, "All of the casinos are trying to get gentlemen's club-type entertainment without actually crossing that line."

While there are several hotels now featuring topless areas, giving incentives to hot chicks to attend, the Rio is the first to actually make an arrangement directly with a strip club. The Sapphire Pool charges admission to males, and girls promote the club at which they dance.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has ruled that topless sunbathing does not violate the morals clause of a casino license, but nude dancing with lapdances would. However, this is not a law, just the current board's opinion.

If revenues continue to drop, the board may face pressure to realize the heaven that male gamblers want: naked women to watch while indulging in gambling. With free drinks delivered to players, who would ever leave?