Poll - 2021-01-06 | Las Vegas Advisor

This was a Question of the Day submission from Manny, perhaps based on the QoD comparing the drop in visitor volume to the rise in gambling spend. Whether it was or not, we thought it would make a great survey, since it's obviously predicated on the power of prediction. While we have our own crystal ball, we figured it best to take a crystal-ball poll and get a consensus.

We were convinced by the comments, particularly Bumbug's, to expand the choices to more expensive, less expensive, and the same as now, and to break them down into categories, as you'll see below.

Vote for as many choices as you like and augment your votes with opinions in the comment boxes. And thanks for voting.

2514 Total Votes

Dining out will be more expensive.

19% (470)

Gambling will be better for the house.

16% (409)

Shows will be more expensive.

16% (394)

Room rates will be more expensive.

13% (337)

Gambling will be the same as it is now.

8% (206)

Room rates will be the same as they are now.

7% (176)

Room rates will be less expensive.

5% (132)

Shows will cost the same as they do now.

5% (128)

Dining out will cost the same as it does now.

5% (124)

Shows will be less expensive.

3% (70)

Dining out will be less expensive.

2% (38)

Gambling will be better for the player.

1% (30)

Analysis

Well, obviously, the more expensive voters overwhelm the less expensive. All four categories -- dining, gambling, shows, and room rates -- placed in the top four more expensive positions, with 64% of the total votes.

Why did inflation in restaurant prices place first? Good question. Evidently, eating out is the best barometer of Las Vegas-style inflation for poll respondents. And it's true that we've seen, and report on frequently in the Advisor, prices of meals inching up month after month. That could be a consequence of demand outstripping supply, especially with restaurants and bars limited to 25% capacity. And even when everything is wide open again, competition won't be back to normal, as numerous restaurants will have already gone out of business. Experts predict that it will take years for the restaurant industry to recover.

Gambling is second. That's similar to dining. With supply down and demand up, the casinos are raking it in at the games, thanks to higher limits everywhere. We're sure they're getting used to the higher drop and it will be tough for them to see those numbers go down when things return to whatever normal will be after the pandemic subsides.

Show prices tend to move slowly upward, so it makes sense to us that they placed third.

And room rates are always in flux, given the number of them that the casinos have to fill every night. Still, you believe they'll go up too. And we wouldn't argue with you.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Comments

Luis Jan-06-2021

We can only hope

It should be a no brainer, as an emergency room phisician I've comented that we shouldn't be going to hotel casinos yet, that it is to early, and that and other activities are feeding covid's hold on us, I'm now working 36 straight hours, and resting only for a couple, It's not sustainable. That said ( had to vent, sorry) after it all subsides, the most efective stimulus is cheap hotel rates, no parking fees or resort fees, cheap eats ( the return of the buffet), attention to service. Shure, It might seem that hotel casinos are going to take a hit, but no, they won't, they've been allways profiting, It's the greed what's been fueling price hikes and aditional fees ( formerly known as hiden fees, now called resort fees), The profit will be there, they won't suffer that much, and they will be better for it

Pat McCoy Jan-06-2021

Catch Up

I think prices on everything will go up.  When is the last time you saw Vegas give us visitors and locals a break?  They will want their money back and will gouge us to get it.  Obviously, they no longer want the "common man" but only the high rollers and they are doing everything they can to get rid of us.  And I also think that besides rooms, food, shows, and gambling, resort fees and parking will also be higher when this pandemic is finally over. Vegas isn't out to get more people, only richer people.

Daniel Schladt Jan-06-2021

QCWT

Due to the COVID the Casinos took a large hit, therefore all cost will surely rise, however to entice the visitors to come back, the room rates in most hotels will stay the same except for special occasions. They need to provide room deals so as to get the average gambler back, the Georges will always be there.

Duane Pfau Jan-07-2021

it will take awhile

I think it will take 2-3 years at the least for Vegas to get back to near normal levels. Convention business might take longer as they have found cheaper ways of meeting with zoom and other ways to cut costs. Lower vistor volume should lead to lower prices for rooms,rental cars, airfare . Customers may also may have found different gambling spots during the pandemic

Seamans Jan-11-2021

gambling more?

It has already started. Hard to find $5 table games. Food is always going up.

O2bnVegas Jan-16-2021

good right now

I equate room, food and beverage costs with comps.  We go where the comps are.

Comps/offers are rolling in like crazy right now.  Is this due to higher tier?  Not necessarily.  Example: Cosmopolitan, played there maybe a half hour years ago, never stayed but am in the system.  Occasionally have gotten offer for one free night with two paid.  Now getting 3 comped nights, midweek.  Huh?  Desperation comp?  

IF the pandemic ever ends, AND visitation gets back to normal, comps will gradually slow down.  JMHO.

Gambling, it wasn't great before the pandemic.  It won't improve for the player. 

Candy

Poll : 06 January - 19 January 2021

Analysis

Comments