Poll : 20 June - 03 July 2018

For many of the reasons you outlined in the question, we simply don't go as often as we used to. It's true that no other gambling destination is quite like Las Vegas but I'm fed up with all the crap. The only thing I haven't done in that town that I still want to is ride the big Zipline on Fremont Street.

We used to go about 4 times per year. Over the years the constant nickel-and-diming has taken the shine off. The erosion in gambling return is the most prominent. We used to spend a lot of time on the Strip. Now it's mostly downtown, where we actually stand a chance of having a winning session. The rest of the time we either stay at a friend's timeshare, or at one of the locals casinos. Soon we will give up on Vegas entirely. We have other ways to spend our vacation dollar. 

It's the Entertainment Capital Of The World. End of story.

While I agree with all of the negatives that are highlighted intro to the survey are certainly annoying, it's still one of the few places were there is significant enough competition that casinos are still offering full pay tables.  For many locations that is no longer the case.  Yes, it isn't on the strip (at reasonable denoms anyway), but between downtown and the locals there are still lots of full pay table options and some that can be marginally positive overall including both cashback and bounceback.  However the recent Pick 'Em downgrades were a disappointment and a cause for concern for ongoing full pay options downtown.  I sure hope it isn't the start of a trend.

Las Vegas has become a victim of its own success!  Now I'm just coming for an "annual trip" rather than more often.  Yes, there still is great entertainment, food (great and "bulk dining") gambling of all sorts, etc... but the resort fees, paid parking, and other insults have taken the glow off.  With gambling available everywhere I wonder if LAS will have to reinvent itself again to continue to attract the crowds!

Been going to Las Vegas since I was about 4-5 years old (1965-1966). Have dramatically scaled back my visits (and spend) to one trip a year and that is only to meet my parents. My parents live in Arizona and I live in California so we meet in Las Vegas each June. My parents are getting up there in years (80s) and as soon as they are no longer able to visit Las Vegas I will stop going. Las Vegas (the Strip) is a shell of it former self. Corporate greed drives every decision with customers and employees getting the shaft right and left. My wife is done with the place, and I'm only going to make my parents happy.

I am actually in the process of selling my house and relocating from Columbus OH to Henderson.  I love Vegas, but concur that it's getting more and more difficult to find good deals (and decent returns on gambling).  The corporations that now control the vast majority of Las Vegas are greed personified.  I'm all for capitalism, but the constant nickel-and-dime feeling from all the additional charges is becoming very tiring.  I am moving for several reasons -- better (for me) taxes, closer to some of my family, and also for the weather.  While I do enjoy playing, it's not as much fun as it used to be (and I no longer have the budget to play as indiscriminately as I may have in the past). I can handle the heat -- it's the humidity that kills me.

As a VP player,good opportunities are down badly at my local casinos.  Still pretty good Vegas DT...I generally don't go near the strip anymore.  W/Fremont messing w/Pickem, as soon as other DT casinos cut back, I'm DONE.

Primarily because of the friendly personnel at the Fremont. Seldom visit any other place in Las Vegas. Hooray for the Fremont!

I still love Vegas, it holds a special place in my heart. I love the pools, the drinks, the gambling, the shows, the people watching, the food. Wondering around to see what changed since the last time is  fun and a mini adventure. Things always change - some good some bad. The love for Sin City is still there, so I will still continue to go.

When I go, I try not to go where they charge for parking, so the strip is gone for me ( well I get a free shuttle and go, but I don't spend a these places as I used to), I mostly stay at locals places, like The Orleans, Sam's Town, etc., but even there there still is a resort fee to contend with. I mostly go for the History, to try and get the feeling of old vegas, the Rat pack era ( witch is getting more and more difficult these days), All of the Grand Old places are almost gone, there's still the Flamingo, The Trop, in Down Town there are great places to go to, I can still get a great meal at the Golden Steer, or even at the steakhouse at circus circus ( a place that is still alive, circus circus I mean). The newer places, well, they are mostly sterile, boring, no special feeling like the old days, only in a locals place do they care about the gest (mostly). So, I go less and less, till something changes for the better ( I hope), because it's still historical, and great again!

Last visit was this past April.  Previously had gone 3-4 times a year.  Too much nickel and diming.  Little appreciation.  All they want is more and more with giving you less and less.  Used to get $200 free play, now down to $50, even though my gambling expense is up.  Go figure!  Do much better locally and don't have to put up with the aggravation.  TR Diamond is 15,000 points but this year raised entry to Diamond Lounge to 25,000 points.  Are you kidding - $125K/year just for pick-up food??  Done with that place.

For those of us who live in Southern California, going to Vegas instead of some other gambling city is a no-brainer because of the overall low cost. We can drive or take a bus for under $60/person. A trip to Reno would cost up to twice as much, and a trip to anyplace in the eastern half of the country would cost 3, 4 or 5 times as much. Plus, we have a slot-club history with one or more places in Vegas that enables offers; we wouldn't get any such offers or perks from a casino we're visiting for the 1st time. And finally, going where we're familiar with it all prevents most bad surprises that could occur in a new place in a new city.

We bought property there to have a place to share with family and friends!

Comps aren't any easier, especially if you're a tepid low roller like me, but I still find great deals often enough to justify going to Vegas annually, and at least twice this summer. If it ever gets to be as expensive as my recent trip to Key West, then I might have to give up Vegas, which would be a shame, as I know of no place that hosts a pinball collection as extensive as the Pinball Hall of Fame. 

We used to visit at least twice a year but we're now down to just once a year for The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Our low roller comps have not eroded as much as the continued greed of tightening up slots (like the bark on a tree). It still is the best place to gamble. Airfare, car rental, all adds up.

my friends in wisconsin and i in south dakota still meet here at least once/yr because it is convenient and good weather. BUT: that doesnt' mean that we don't complain bitterly about  the "nickel & diming" of resort fees, the cheapening of comps, etc.

We having been coming to Vegas for about 50 years.  Many of our pastimes have changed over the years.  We now stay downtown rather than out on the strip due to costs (everything mentioned, resort fees, parking fees, outrageous room prices).  We seldom gamble now (retired, less money) but if we do, it is downtown where all odds are better.  We can no longer afford the 'fancy' restaurants.  The LVA coupon book makes the buffets affordable and we enjoy them.  Shows are no longer a top priority due to prices but we still occasionally see one.  Our main pastime is going out in the desert, which we love.  We always stay a full month and spend a lot of our time in Death Valley, Mojave, etc.  It is allergy season at home in the fall and the desert air eliminates the allergies.  We spend a few days driving out to see friends and relatives in Arizona and California.  Too bad Vegas has become so expensive but we will still come so long as we can afford it.  There is no other place like it. 

I used to visit Las Vegas 5-6 Times per year starting in the 70s.  The casinos were fun and the food prices were great.  Valet parking was $1-2 and much better than parking way out in the lots. Then Vegas began to change...mega resorts, then show and food prices weren’t bargains anymore even though I was comped most of the time. Then resort fees and parking fees just made it seem too corporate.

The price increases didn’t affect me that much due to comps and I had some wonderful hosts but they did tarnish the old Vegas image of a great place to visit. Now I’m down to 1 Trip per year and that’s probably going to soon be a bi annual visit.  As POTUS might say, SAD!

We gamble a lot less now. Mainly just at the sportsbooks. We love the hotels Out there though. Staying at a comparable hotel in San Diego, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Chicago etc. will cost hundreds more and that's without the ability to do damn near anything at any hour of the day!1

I love to bet on the NFL games.

"Everything changes, nothing ever stays the same."  We missed the iconic Strip facades at first, but without updating we'd probably be complaining about the "same old same old."  We don't drive in Vegas so paying to park is not an issue.  We build taxi/Uber fare into the vacation budget as needed.  We play where we stay (mostly).  In doing so, we get room comps, no resort fees, some Free Play and enough food credits that we don't spend much on meals.  Restaurant staff, dealers, pit supervisors, Hosts, and others greet and treat us like family, which is pure gold.  Our biggest challenge is the cost of air fare.  Vegas is losing at least 2 of our trips a year to free charter flights/room nights/Free Play/buffets at the Gulf coast and elsewhere, earned via the "lousy" gambling in Las Vegas.  Points are earned in Vegas at 3 or more times the rate than at same company casinos at Gulf coast and elsewhere.  Not for everyone, but it all works for us.

It’s getting harder and harder to come there. The strip is out of the question. I fly in and go outside the strip to gamble. It’s becoming less affordable for me to come.

The continued rise in cost is starting to make me think twice. I have found some alternatives to vegas. 

I've been going to LV since 1979.  For many years now I go once a year.  I started with friends. We'd rent a car and go to lots of places: Sams, Stations casinos off the strip, Arizona Charlies, etc.  Things change and now I go with family. Due to CET and wanting Diamond etc I only gamble at CET casinos. Tight, tight, tight!  I plan to go in August.  If it's as brutal as the last 2 years, the trips will become every 3 or 4 years, maybe. They need to loosen up if they want people to continue to come.

A friend and I have been visiting Vegas since the early 60's, but for all the reasons others have cited we are down to one or two visits a year.I will not gamble at anyplace that is not watched over by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. I worked in a casino at Lake Tahoe for a few years and I know they do a good job watching over the fairness of the machines and games. I save up my air miles, get three rooms each comped by one casino group (6 days all together per visit) I love (Boyd's), and buy Las Vegas Advisor coupon book. My friend and I are not big eaters so by eating at 2 for 1 buffets we more than get our money's worth.Over the years we've seen all the shows we were interested in and we rarely drink so we have a great relaxing time. Both of us have won a fair amount of $'s so we put it away for "next time". I am getting tired of the bigger and bigger glitz and the lack of friendly employees.Think that's why we like Boyd's-the casinos are mostly small and people friendly & pleasant

My wife and I have been going to Vegas since the late eighties. We used to live in Southern California and would go multiple times a year. Now we live in Texas and can only go about every other year. I do miss the 90's. Not the "kid friendly" Vegas, but just the new "themed" casinos that kept coming in. The free shows, like the Pirate ship at the TI, the Volcano, that actually went off more than a couple times in one night, etc... (I know it was gimmicky, but it was fun) We like to just cruise around and eat, drink and be merry!!! I would probably go every year if the resort fees and parking fees would stop. I think that the corporations that run Vegas are squeezing everything they can now. They must know something is on the horizon. We are going in a couple weeks. Two nights on the strip and two downtown. I like the casinos downtown. Not the silly street performers who have become quite a nuisance. We do like the coupons and info that we get from LVA. You guys are terrific!!!

World's greatest escape!

It's not just the gambling..it's stil has Mt. CHARLESTON ..Red Rocks..lake Mead..in the day..great Food and entertainment (UFC FIGHT WEEK for this trip) All in a pretty manageable area..I can gamble anywhere..put there will never be a place that caters to adult fun like Las Vegas..

WOW!  This poll seems to have stirred up a hornet's nest. I'm a baby boomer and don't visit Vegas as often as I used to for all the reasons noted.  The Analysis states "a mere 5% of the total feel strongly enough about the negatives that they no longer come. Still, that's nearly 250 respondents, and it approximates the decline in visitation and overall business that the city has been experiencing for the past year or so." I'm confused. McCarran passenger traffic in 2016 was 47.4 million and 2017 48.5 million and this year at the current pace should exceed that.  So it appears that more people are visiting Vegas and spending less or am I missing something.

The poll is over and I gave some reasons.  Still, reading everyone's posts makes me think  of why I STILL love coming to Vegas:
1.  My pre-trip first Las Vegas trip anticipation, 1987, felt beyond exciting, and the reality matched the anticipation.  Like the love at first sight followed by a long marriage, where things do evolve and change but you still love the guy/gal, in my mind Vegas is still the same exciting destination.
2.  From the moment of deciding to do a Vegas vacation, to looking through the myriad offers, to matching an offer with reasonable air fares and dates, to calling and getting offer confirmations, to making the flight reservations, watching the calendar and clicking off weeks and days before the trip, packing, to driving to the airport, to boarding the plane, to hearing the pilot say "We are beginning our descent into Las Vegas", each of those moments excites me like no trip to any other gambling destination does.  Something about that first love that never waned.

I used to get comp rooms and I would go. Boyd's just sends me discounts,now.Air fare is up to $300 RT coach,lately. I may not go in October. WHAAAA!
  I like the MSS.