Regardless of past PR attempts to market Las Vegas as a family destination, it remains essentially an adult playground, where much of the entertainment is geared toward those 21 and older. For example, many hotels won't even allow you to book a room if you're not at least 21. Of course, for those bringing children, there are plenty of rides, shows, pools, arcades, and other attractions to keep the kids entertained, but much of what this city has to offer is strictly adults-only.
The minimum drinking age in Las Vegas is 21 and it’s rigorously enforced. It’s common practice for people in their 30s to get carded. Don’t expect to get into bars or clubs without valid ID. An exception to this is if the venue has a clearly demarcated eating area, separate from the bar, and you're there to eat. Other exceptions include the Flirt Lounge at the Rio, which admits all Chippendales ticket holders (the show has an age restriction of 18 and older), and some concerts at the Joint at the Hard Rock and Mandalay Bay's House of Blues, which are open to all ages (check with the venue before you purchase tickets, to see if an age restriction applies). Last but not least, if you want a truly adult night out, all-nude strip clubs that don't serve alcohol will admit patrons 18 and older.
The same age restrictions apply to gambling as to drinking: 21 is the minimum age and the casino risks a big fine if minors are allowed to loiter on the gaming floor. The resorts are laid out in such a way that it’s virtually impossible to get from A to B without passing through a gaming area. Hence, it's okay for someone underage to walk through as long as he or she is accompanied by an adult over 21 and clearly in transit. Of course, the closer you are (or look) to 21, the better your chances of getting away with hanging around in the casino or even gambling. Casino personnel -- including dealers when you walk up to a table -- will ask for ID if they're suspicious, but they don't check everyone.
Still, you may be wise to suppress the urge to play, even if you can get away with it. The reason is: You can't win big! Of course, underage gamblers play all the time in casinos and some manage to get away with it for a while, especially at slots or video poker machines (players are under much more intense scrutiny at the tables). And just like everyone else, they're hoping to hit a jackpot. But hitting a jackpot is the worst thing that can happen to an underage player, as it's a sure way to get carded, identified, and thrown unceremoniously out of the casino. If you don't believe us, ask Kirk Erickson. In 1997, the then-19-year-old hit a $1,061,811.60 jackpot on a slot machine at Caesars Palace. His father, Russell, claimed that he was the one playing and sued the casino. But surveillance tapes proved otherwise, and after two years of legal dispute, the jackpot was denied.
