On March 11, 2011, it was announced that the Sahara would close in two months.
At the time, the Sahara had 1,720 hotel rooms and 85,000 sq ft (7,900 m²) of casino space, and offered the only $1 blackjack on the Las Vegas Strip.
The resort featured two primary restaurants at the time: House of Lords steakhouse, and the NASCAR Cafe.
The Sahara had 1,050 employees who would be affected by the closure.
SBE intended to help find new jobs for Sahara employees at MGM Resorts' properties.
Hotel customers with reservations following the planned closing date would also be transferred to MGM Resorts' properties.

At the time of the closing announcement, Nazarian, the CEO of SBE, said, "We are working with our partners to assess a variety of options for the property, including a complete renovation and repositioning.
While no final decisions have been made at this point, the continued operation of the aging Sahara was no longer economically viable."
Jerry Lewis, once a performer at the Sahara, said, "We are losing what was considered by most of us Las Vegans as one of the trademarks of the city."
Lowden said he was not saddened by the closure: "I like progress.
I like change.
It's fun to look back, but this might be a chance for the Sahara to move forward."

Speed – The Ride closed on May 1, 2011.
It was later sold and removed.
The sports book and Sahara Theater closed later in May 2011.
The resort's hotel and casino closed at 2:00 p.m. on May 16, 2011, marking the end of the Sahara's 58-year operation.
National Content Liquidators began a two-month liquidation sale at the Sahara in June 2011, with more than 600,000 items available for sale on the first day.
The contents of the NASCAR Cafe were initially excluded from the sale, although an auction was later held for 2,000 items from the restaurant.
The sale of the resort items concluded in September 2011, and it attracted thousands of people over the course of its run.
It was the largest liquidation sale in Las Vegas history.
Items that did not sell were donated.
The camel sign at the rear entrance was donated to the city's Neon Museum.
On March 11, 2011, it was announced that the Sahara would close in two months. At the time, the Sahara had 1,720 hotel rooms and 85,000 sq ft (7,900 m²) of casino space, and offered the only $1 blackjack on the Las Vegas Strip. The resort featured two primary restaurants at the time: House of Lords steakhouse, and the NASCAR Cafe. The Sahara had 1,050 employees who would be affected by the closure. SBE intended to help find new jobs for Sahara employees at MGM Resorts' properties. Hotel customers with reservations following the planned closing date would also be transferred to MGM Resorts' properties.
At the time of the closing announcement, Nazarian, the CEO of SBE, said, "We are working with our partners to assess a variety of options for the property, including a complete renovation and repositioning. While no final decisions have been made at this point, the continued operation of the aging Sahara was no longer economically viable." Jerry Lewis, once a performer at the Sahara, said, "We are losing what was considered by most of us Las Vegans as one of the trademarks of the city." Lowden said he was not saddened by the closure: "I like progress. I like change. It's fun to look back, but this might be a chance for the Sahara to move forward."
Speed – The Ride closed on May 1, 2011. It was later sold and removed. The sports book and Sahara Theater closed later in May 2011. The resort's hotel and casino closed at 2:00 p.m. on May 16, 2011, marking the end of the Sahara's 58-year operation. National Content Liquidators began a two-month liquidation sale at the Sahara in June 2011, with more than 600,000 items available for sale on the first day. The contents of the NASCAR Cafe were initially excluded from the sale, although an auction was later held for 2,000 items from the restaurant. The sale of the resort items concluded in September 2011, and it attracted thousands of people over the course of its run. It was the largest liquidation sale in Las Vegas history. Items that did not sell were donated. The camel sign at the rear entrance was donated to the city's Neon Museum.
Sahara Las Vegas