SLS Las Vegas launches $100 million renovation

SLS Las Vegas has begun a $100 million renovation that will feature an upgrade of all 1,615 rooms; a revamp of the casino, including the addition of new slot machines; and a redesign of the pool area. Completion is scheduled to coincide with the openings of The Drew, Resorts World Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Convention Center expansion, all of which are on the North end of the Strip. A name change for SLS, formerly the Sahara, is reportedly still being considered.

TI signs union contract: The Culinary Union has reached an agreement with Treasure Island, the last Las Vegas Strip casino without a union contract. That leaves the D and Golden Gate, both downtown, as the last two Las Vegas cano sinos without an agreement, but talks are in progress with those properties.

Cosmo jackpot: A California man hit a $1.4 million jackpot last month on a Wheel of Fortune Double Diamond machine at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. It’s the third jackpot of $1 million or more at the Cosmo this year.

Pot slot: A new Willie Nelson-themed slot machine features marijuana images on its reels. Gaming regulations don't prohibit marijuana images on slots, but the manufacturer also has Willie without the pot for squeamish casinos. The machines are expected to show up on casino floors early next year.

No free drinks: The Golden Nugget sports book no longer hands out drink tickets for sports wagers. Several sports books have tightened drink-comp policies in recent years, but almost all still have programs that offer some level of drink comping for sports bettors.

Question: How many states now have legal sports wagering?

Answer: Last week’s addition of a single casislots taking bets in New Mexico brings the total to six. The others are Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, West Virginia and Delaware, with several more teed up to join.