Emerald Island, a casino just south of Las Vegas in Henderson, is expanding, adding more casino space and a players club lounge. The casino has grown in stages over the years, often by moving into adjacent and nearby spaces previously occupied by other businesses, as it did with an adjacent barbershop in this instance. After the completion of the current addition, plans call for extending the bar and adding kitchen space. Known as one of the Las Vegas area’s premier penny-slots houses, Emerald Island is a true sleeper casino, offering excellent food and gambling deals.

COSMO UPGRADE

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will spend more than $100 million on upgrading its rooms. Only seven years since opening and already boasting what are among the highest-praised accommodations on the Strip, all 2,895 rooms at the Cosmo will be completely renovated to the tune of $34,000 per room.

SPAGO MOVING

Spago is moving from the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace to the Bellagio. Given credit for launching Las Vegas’ epic celebrity-­chef dining movement in 1992, the Wolfgang Puck flagship will take residence at the Bellagio next year in the space currently occupied by Olives.

EI JACKPOT

Another big jackpot was claimed last week, the latest in a string of big hits in recent months. A Las Vegas woman won $747K while playing a Buffalo machine at Ellis Island.

Question: Considering the recent attacks around the world involving motor vehicles and pedestrians, is it safe to walk the Strip?

Answer: The recent events have made the installation of protective bollards along the Strip a priority, and work is set to begin in October. However, there will still be unprotected areas. One natural semisafeguard is the fact that the snarled Strip traffic makes it difficult for a motor vehicle to get up a head of steam in an attempt to do damage.

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