Vegas: Legal online poker site closes

The first legal online poker site in the United States has closed.

After ceasing operations in New Jersey in September, Ultimate Gaming pulled the plug in Nevada last week, ending an 18-month effort that failed to gain traction. The closing is seen as another major negative for online gambling, which figures to be adversely affected by Republican victories in this month's elections.

Two online companies — Caesars Entertainment's WSOP and South Point's Real Gaming — continue to deal in Nevada, while WSOP and several others are active in New Jersey. Online-gaming sites have fallen severely short of revenue projections in both states.

Rascals at Hard Rock: The country-music group Rascal Flatts is the latest to sign on for a mini-residency at Hard Rock. The band will play nine dates between Feb. 25 and March 14. Tickets starting at $39.50.

Sayonara Sirio: Following the closing of sister restaurant Circo at Bellagio, Sirio at Aria will close Dec. 6. A new, unannounced restaurant will open in the space.

Kabob Korner closed: Another long-running downtown restaurant is down. Fremont Street East's Kabob Korner has closed. Its neighbor, Uncle Joe's Pizza, closed last month.

Happy birthday, Mirage: The Mirage's 25th anniversary was Nov. 22. The opening of the resort in 1989 is generally considered the demarcation between the "old" and the "new" Las Vegas.

Question: Is Venetian putting up its skating rink again this year?

Answer: Venetian is not building its synthetic-ice rink this year. Nor will there be rinks downtown or at Sunset Park. It looks like this year's options will be limited to the rink at Cosmopolitan's Boulevard Pool, which debuts this week, and one at Caesars Palace, for which an opening date has not been announced.

For information about shows, buffets, coupons and deals, go to www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.