New upscale clientele sought for old saloon

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Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon will reopen with the high-end Gansevoort brand, famous for attracting a celebrity clientele in New York City.

The resort will be renamed Gansevoort Las Vegas and will have 188 "Parisian apartment-style" rooms, including 19 suites. Gansevoort is being positioned to attract an "upscale audience," with new bars, clubs and retail outlets. The opening date is set for 2014, and room rates will start at $249.

» Big wheel rising: The stanchions of the giant observation wheel going up behind the Quad are now easily visible at center Strip. The wheel is being built as part of the Linq retail and entertainment complex, due to open at the end of the year.

» TI Center: Phil Ruffin, owner of Treasure Island, is reportedly considering building a $30 million, 100,000-square-foot convention center at the resort. Ruffin says that he’s turning his attention back to TI after two bids to buy the Mirage were rejected.

» New sports book: The sports book at the downtown Plaza, redesigned under new William Hill ownership, has opened just in time for the NCAA basketball tournament. The Plaza book was the first in Nevada and has operated since 1975.

» Bellagio spring: The spring exhibit in Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens features ladybugs made out of flowers, a 26-foot-tall windmill, 22-foot-tall replicas of daffodils, and a greenhouse with more than 800 live butterflies. Cameras within the greenhouse record and transmit transformations from pupa to butterfly. The exhibit is open 24 hours until May 9, and admission is free for all ages.

Question: Who’s the betting favorite to win the NCAA basketball championship?

Answer: It’s different at different sports books, and the picture is certain to change by the end of this weekend, but prior to the start of the tournament, Louisville, at 4.5-1 (win $450 for a $100 wager) was the favorite, followed by Indiana at 7-1 and Florida at 8-1. The tournament long shots, with odds against of 5,000-1, were North Carolina A&T, Liberty and Southern.

For more information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons and good deals, go to www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.