In an emergency meeting last week, Clark County Commissioners imposed a mask mandate on employees who work indoors at Las Vegas businesses, regardless of whether or not they’ve been vaccinated.

The decision comes amidst a surge in Nevada’s COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations due to the new Delta variant, which appears to be most prevalent in the southern part of the state. As of now, nonemployees are not required to be masked, but that could change at any time.

The casinos have already altered their message and are now encouraging all guests to wear masks, although it’s not a rule. The new mandate will be reconsidered on Aug. 17.

Sands Expo renamed: As of Sept. 2, the Sands Expo & Convention Center, the fifth-largest private convention facility in the country at 2-1/4 million square feet, will be known as the Venetian Expo. No reason was given for the name change, but it’s surely in conjunction with Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s pending sale of the entire Venetian/Palazzo/Expo property, which will be completed by the end of the year.

Downtown Sand Dollar: A longtime Las Vegas venue for live music, the Sand Dollar Lounge, will open a second location at the Plaza, bringing late-night live music downtown. The Sand Dollar Blues Bar opened in 1976 on Spring Mountain Road near the Strip and quickly became one of the top blues bars in the country. Sand Dollar Downtown will open this fall, with live music Thursdays through Saturdays, a full menu of craft cocktails and pizza by Pop Up Pizza.

Question: Can you bet on the Olympics?

Answer: Yes. The sports books are allowed to take bets on Olympic events that aren’t decided by judging (e.g., diving and gymnastics). It will be up to the books to offer lines if they want to, but not all will, due to low demand.

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