We recall how, back in the 1990s and prior, hotel-casinos were extremely sensitive about photography, especially video, anywhere on property. Las Vegas is a place people escape to, sometimes when they're actually meant to be somewhere else, with someone else, and the casinos don't want to risk being sued by someone who loses their marriage or job over an inadvertent exposé.
In latter years, this policy has loosened up somewhat, with casinos opening their doors to the likes of Travel Channel and ESPN on a regular basis, and being more tolerant of casual snapshots. However, a call-around to a few casinos at random, including Aria, Bally's, The Cosmopolitan, Red Rock, Caesars Palace, and Four Queens, revealed that none allows photography in any of the gaming areas, with the exception of the Four Queens, whose security desk informed us that we could take pictures in the casino, but not video. Caesars Palace specified no gaming areas, and no shots of the ceiling, since camera flashes interfere with the surveillance cameras.
So, in general, it's fine to take a photograph of your buddies at the bar, or eating dinner, or posing with an attraction, but it's not okay to start snapping them playing blackjack, or hitting a slot jackpot, or hanging out in the race and sports book.
