One of the oldest casinos in Las Vegas, the Riviera, has been sold, but not to another casino operator. In a move that seemed to catch everyone by surprise, the casino was sold to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for $182.5 million.

The casino will be imploded, opening the area for an expansion of the convention center all the way to the Strip as part of an ongoing $2.3 billion expansion and transformation into the Las Vegas Global Business District. If all is approved, the casino will likely close at the end of August. The Riviera will reach its 60th anniversary in April.

Peppermill secure: Fans of the Peppermill restaurant on the Strip need not worry that the 42-year-old neighbor of the Riviera will also be eaten up by the Convention Authority. The Peppermill’s owners have reportedly rebuffed acquisition entreaties, responding, "our lease is signed until 2027 and we have no plans other than celebrating our 50th anniversary right here."

Dark for Tark: The Strip casinos dimmed their lights for three minutes Wednesday in a tribute to deceased UNLV basketball coach and Vegas icon Jerry Tarkanian.

It’s the first time the Strip lights have gone off since the 2009 "Earth Hour" observance, and the first time for an individual since 2004 after the death of President Ronald Reagan.

It was only the ninth time total that the casino lights have gone dark.

QUESTION: What was the result of this year’s national anthem prop at the Super Bowl?

ANSWER: It was close, but Idina Menzel stretched out the last line (and word) to clock 2:04, going over the 2:01 betting mark.

It was the sixth time in the proposition bet’s seven-year history that the anthem has gone over.

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