Every year, tens of millions of people come to Las Vegas with the intention of spending money. Beating it big in a casino is part of the dream that drives people to the desert in a shot, but the reality of the majority of Las Vega’s visitors is that the experience they want will cost them.
And for the most part, they are ok with it.
But more and more people are expressing frustration over rising costs in connection with the patronizing of a Las Vegas-Casino hotel, especially during the years after the Covid-19-Pandemic. From resort and parking fees to pricing in various stores to table games with a larger house edge to unreasonable markings on food and drink, it grows the feeling that the public is pressed when they visit a Las Vegas casino.
Cost to visit Las Vegas adds
“I love to pay for an experience, but if you are going to nickel and dime me, in my mind, is what you do,” I will change your ignorance, “said Dee Ellis, a 63-year-old epidemiologist who shares time that lives between Las Vegas and Bay Area.” If you will raise your prices. But, I think, consumers, as a whole, we get tired of being nickel and dimmed. “
For an industry and a city whose reputation strongly relies on providing value, a public view that Las Vegas casinos can prioritize gains at the expense of the guest experience ultimately to drive visitors to explore alternative destinations.
“I think Vegas is priceing himself,” said Bill Perry, a 64-year-old pensioner who moved to Las Vegas 2020 after years of being a regular visitor. “(Las Vegas Casinos) welcomes you with their words, but their actions do not follow it up. You do not feel welcome at all when you are charged every time you turn (after) you already spend a lot of money just to be there.”
What casinos have to say about higher prices
Las Vegas Review-Journal reached the Las Vegas Convention and the Visitors’ Authority as well as over 20 casino operators on the strip, outside the remote, center and around the valley to discuss the subject. Most casino operators did not respond and two declined to comment. LVCVA said no one was available to be interviewed for this story but provided selected statistics from its 2024 visitor profile survey.
The casino operators who responded noted that costs also increase at the end, with labor and food prices that are top among them. Despite major financial issues, these casino operators emphasized a commitment to deliver value and affordable prices for a variety of customer budgets.
“As tourism and travel prices rise, we expect the industry’s hospitality standards and guest service levels to move on,” said Skylar Dice, senior vice president and head of Strat. “We believe it is of the utmost importance to still offer guests great value for their expenses at all prices.”
Casino managers say that Las Vegas still offers value and compared to other major American tourist destinations, it can be a relatively bargain.
Cliff Atkinson, chairman of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, said that the goal of his property outside Strip “has always been to attract visitors who are looking for an easily accessible yet advanced hospitality experience while maintaining the value that Vegas is known for.”
The participating casino operators acknowledged everyone the importance of listening to what their guests say and when it is appropriate response with action.
“Las Vegas has always been a lighthouse for tourists, and I am convinced that we as a city are all involved in constantly developing based on visitors’ feedback,” said Atkinson.
Derek Stevens, co-owner of three properties in central Las Vegas circa, D and Golden Gate-and, without a doubt, the most visible casino manager in town, said he was a “great believers” when he got involved with guests and hears what they have to say.
“Of course, you have to have some thick skin to read reviews or be willing to (talk face to face with casino protectors),” Stevens said. “But you also learn a lot, so I think it’s a very important thing.”
Some qualities listen – and adapt
When the frustration over rising costs spreads across social media, travel overview and even among long -term players, some Las Vegas casinos have noticed – and adjusting. Some operators have begun to return prices, promote offers to the local population, eliminate certain fees or improve the terms of play to attract core customers.
Palms Hotel-Casino recently made headlines by announcing that it would only offer 3: 2 Blackjack, and bucking a year-long industry-wide trend towards 6: 5 Blackjack, which has a higher house edge. Although Numr from some hardcore players that the property uses continuous shuffles on their main blackjack tables, the move was generally praised as a win for players seeking value and a fair game.
Nevertheless, industry -wide changes that result from consumer problems remain unlikely. Studies indicate that Las Vegas, despite being unhappy with higher costs, delivers enough value to get visitors to come back, with total satisfaction scores remain high.
According to the latest LVCVA visitor profile, 87 percent of the 2024 surveyed said that they were “very satisfied” with their visit to Las Vegas, which was down from 94 percent in 2019. Another 10 percent indicated that they were “somewhat satisfied” last year. More than half – 54 percent – of respondents said that Las Vegas exceeded their expectations.
“Consumer satisfaction has consistently been shown to have an impact on loyalty and repeat intentions more than the value itself,” said Amanda Belarmino, assistant professor at UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality. “Value is an aspect of satisfaction, but the price is not value. Creating value is about creating memorable experiences and that we continue to do in abundance.”
Vegas still delivers value, but does the tide start to switch?
Other data points in the LVCVA survey indicate a change in consumer trends which, even if they are not too, should catch the industry’s attention.
Among visitors who said they were “somewhat satisfied” with their stay, 18 percent “answered” too expensive. ” This percentage is below 19 percent that felt so 2019 but has risen each of the last three years.
Of those who said they were “dissatisfied” with their Las Vegas visit (which was 3 percent of all respondents), 20 percent “answered” too expensive “as the main cause.
The average number of annual visits to Las Vegas dipped somewhat last year, as well as the average number of trips among repeated visitors, who have fallen each of the past three years. The probability of returning to Las Vegas is still high, with 75 percent of respondents who say it was “extremely” or “very” likely, from 84 percent last year and 87 percent in 2022.
According to the LVCVA data, 55 percent of players said that Las Vegas “exceeded expectations”, and 49 percent of non-players said the same thing. Nearly two-thirds of Millennials said that Las Vegas “exceeded expectations”, while less than half of GEN-X (47 percent) and Gen-Z (49 percent) responded in that way.
A changed business model
The traditional Vegas Business Model – which offers cheap amenities to attract players – has been fundamental.
Belarmino, the hospitality professor who also worked in management positions for several Las Vegas Casino Hotels, said that this change has occurred over the past 15 years or so, “so what we offer now is nothing new. The consumer has indicated an increased desire for higher experiences, and this has also favored the casinos as they find ways to increase in all departures in all departures in all departures.
The average expense per night in lodging hit a maximum of 2024 to $ 179.10, according to the LVCVA survey. Visitors’ average expenses on food and drink ($ 615.07) and shopping ($ 281.12) per trip increased last year compared to 2023.
These measurement values, although excellent for the final, seem to support what visitors say about rising costs.
Like most comments on the subject, Ellis and Perry said that they love Las Vegas and only express their thoughts because they do not like the direction that the city seems to be coming.
“When I hear reports that (casinos) don’t make so much money now, yes, who is it?” Perry asked rhetorically. “It’s just crazy. We have many friends who come to Vegas who say it’s just not so affordable anymore.”
Ellis said she believes that Las Vegas is approaching a tip point where visitors are completely suspended by the rising prices and constant fees or fees.
“(Las Vegas) is just not the purchase or value for the entertainment you actually get,” she said. “We lose the experience while they go over a dollar to get to a penny.”
Contact David Danzis at ddanzis@ theplayerlounge.com or 702-383-0378. Follow @AC2vegas-danzis.bsky.social or @AC2vegas_danzis on X.
