In June 1995, Lowden's Sahara Gaming Corporation announced that gaming executive Bill Bennett had agreed to buy the Sahara as part of a $150 million deal.
The agreement included the Wet 'n Wild water park located south of the resort.
Bennett completed his purchase later that year, at a cost of $193 million.
Bennett owned the Sahara through his company, Gordon Gaming Corporation.
The opening of the nearby Stratosphere resort in 1996 helped bring revenue back to the northern Las Vegas Strip and the Sahara.

Bennett hired Joel Bergman to redesign the Sahara.
A $65 million renovation began in March 1996, and was aimed at attracting midlevel gamblers.
The original African theme had been largely discarded ever since Del Webb took over ownership, but Bennett restored it.
His complete remodel featured a Moroccan theme throughout the resort.
The prominent theming was in line with other new resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.

Part of the renovation would include additional casino space and a new sportsbook.
Two new restaurants would also be added, along with a new buffet.
The renovation was funded entirely by Bennett and his company.
The start of the renovation project was marked by the demolition of the original poolside motel structures, which had housed various celebrities such as Ann-Margret, George Burns, and Tony Bennett.
The renovation was scheduled for completion in January 1997, at which point a second phase of remodeling was scheduled to begin.
The second phase was intended to add 1,300 rooms, for a total of more than 3,000.
Plans for an additional hotel tower were later put on hold in order to evaluate the performance of other new hotel additions in Las Vegas.
Ultimately, construction never began on the new tower.

As part of the renovation work, the resort's main entrance was relocated from the north side of the property to a new southwest entrance on the Las Vegas Strip.
The casino was increased to 95,000 sq ft (8,800 m²), with expansion into the southeast area of the property, bringing the gaming closer to the hotel and the newly relocated pool area.
Chandeliers were placed throughout the resort.
A $4.6 million porte-cochère was added, consisting of an expansive overhead Moroccan-style dome, measuring 140 feet high and 200 feet in diameter.
Fountains and palm trees surrounded the hotel's circular entryway.
A seven-story parking garage with 2,000 spaces was added as well, replacing the 1954 motel addition.
The demolition of the Sahara's old motel buildings reduced the room count from 2,100 to approximately 1,800.
A new sign, featuring two neon camels, was added along the Las Vegas Strip.
A smaller neon camel sign was also added to the rear entrance on Paradise Road.

In January 1997, the resort opened its new Sahara Buffet, which had been relocated to the second floor for views of Sahara Avenue and the nearby Stratosphere tower.
The new buffet was part of the ongoing renovation work, and it occupied the site previously used for the Sahara Space Center.
With 1,154 seats, it was the second largest buffet in Las Vegas, only behind the buffet at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino.
On October 10, 1997, the Sahara opened Speedworld, its $15 million race car simulator attraction.
It measured 35,000 sq ft (3,300 m²) and featured 24 vehicles with a television screen built into each one.
Bennett enjoyed auto racing, and he had previously helped finance the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The resort's renovation project ultimately cost $100 million.
Part of the project included the new Sahara Steak House, which opened in December 1997, as the renovations were nearing completion.
Plans were approved in July 1998 for a new Sahara convention center to be built on the parking lot behind the resort.
However, these plans were put on hold later that year as there was also a preliminary idea for a parking garage to be built on the land, for the upcoming Las Vegas Monorail.

In October 1998, plans were approved for a roller coaster that would be built inside the Sahara, with a height of 100 feet.
The following year, the design plans changed so that the ro
In June 1995, Lowden's Sahara Gaming Corporation announced that gaming executive Bill Bennett had agreed to buy the Sahara as part of a $150 million deal. The agreement included the Wet 'n Wild water park located south of the resort. Bennett completed his purchase later that year, at a cost of $193 million. Bennett owned the Sahara through his company, Gordon Gaming Corporation. The opening of the nearby Stratosphere resort in 1996 helped bring revenue back to the northern Las Vegas Strip and the Sahara.
Bennett hired Joel Bergman to redesign the Sahara. A $65 million renovation began in March 1996, and was aimed at attracting midlevel gamblers. The original African theme had been largely discarded ever since Del Webb took over ownership, but Bennett restored it. His complete remodel featured a Moroccan theme throughout the resort. The prominent theming was in line with other new resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.
Part of the renovation would include additional casino space and a new sportsbook. Two new restaurants would also be added, along with a new buffet. The renovation was funded entirely by Bennett and his company. The start of the renovation project was marked by the demolition of the original poolside motel structures, which had housed various celebrities such as Ann-Margret, George Burns, and Tony Bennett. The renovation was scheduled for completion in January 1997, at which point a second phase of remodeling was scheduled to begin. The second phase was intended to add 1,300 rooms, for a total of more than 3,000. Plans for an additional hotel tower were later put on hold in order to evaluate the performance of other new hotel additions in Las Vegas. Ultimately, construction never began on the new tower.
As part of the renovation work, the resort's main entrance was relocated from the north side of the property to a new southwest entrance on the Las Vegas Strip. The casino was increased to 95,000 sq ft (8,800 m²), with expansion into the southeast area of the property, bringing the gaming closer to the hotel and the newly relocated pool area. Chandeliers were placed throughout the resort. A $4.6 million porte-cochère was added, consisting of an expansive overhead Moroccan-style dome, measuring 140 feet high and 200 feet in diameter. Fountains and palm trees surrounded the hotel's circular entryway. A seven-story parking garage with 2,000 spaces was added as well, replacing the 1954 motel addition. The demolition of the Sahara's old motel buildings reduced the room count from 2,100 to approximately 1,800. A new sign, featuring two neon camels, was added along the Las Vegas Strip. A smaller neon camel sign was also added to the rear entrance on Paradise Road.
In January 1997, the resort opened its new Sahara Buffet, which had been relocated to the second floor for views of Sahara Avenue and the nearby Stratosphere tower. The new buffet was part of the ongoing renovation work, and it occupied the site previously used for the Sahara Space Center. With 1,154 seats, it was the second largest buffet in Las Vegas, only behind the buffet at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. On October 10, 1997, the Sahara opened Speedworld, its $15 million race car simulator attraction. It measured 35,000 sq ft (3,300 m²) and featured 24 vehicles with a television screen built into each one. Bennett enjoyed auto racing, and he had previously helped finance the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The resort's renovation project ultimately cost $100 million. Part of the project included the new Sahara Steak House, which opened in December 1997, as the renovations were nearing completion. Plans were approved in July 1998 for a new Sahara convention center to be built on the parking lot behind the resort. However, these plans were put on hold later that year as there was also a preliminary idea for a parking garage to be built on the land, for the upcoming Las Vegas Monorail.
In October 1998, plans were approved for a roller coaster that would be built inside the Sahara, with a height of 100 feet. The following year, the design plans changed so that the ro
Sahara Las Vegas