To the best of our knowledge, MGM Grand was never designated a movie studio (the low ceilings would make the filming of motion pictures extremely difficult), nor does there ever seem to have been a formal Nevada policy against photography in casinos.
Historically, almost all casinos prohibited the taking of photographs and signs at entrances were posted to that effect. It had to do with privacy and the protection of players (especially when gambling was a vice everywhere except Nevada and the mob, notoriously camera-shy, was running the town), casing the casino for a potential robbery (photographing security, the cage, money movements, and the like), and possible cheating.
But even then, not all casinos prohibited it. Huntington Press senior editor Deke Castleman remembers that when he and photographer Michael Yamashita were working on the first edition of Deke’s Compass Las Vegas guidebook (1990), they were unceremoniously booted out of Caesars for taking pictures and they had to sneak around Vegas World. But they didn’t need permission to shoot inside the Colorado Belle in Laughlin.
But as far as we can tell, it was never specifically illegal.
"Generally speaking, photography in casinos is not forbidden under current regulation or statute, but casinos have their own practices/policies," writes Karl Bennison, chief of the Nevada Gaming Control Board's Enforcement Division. "I would suspect as cell phones with cameras proliferated, policies were adjusted," Bennison adds. "Of course, if a camera is being used for cheating, that’s different."
In terms of cheating, Bennison's predecessor, Jerry Markling, sent out a memo to casino operators in 2013, warning them of the dangers of permitting Google Glass on their gaming floors.
"Google Glass has the ability to display information, take pictures, record video, and transmit and receive data via the Internet," Markling wrote. "While there is nothing specifically illegal regarding the possession and/or general use of these devices, the potential for inappropriate and/or illegal use in a casino does exist. For example, these devices could be used to share card information between players in poker and other table games, which could give those players an unfair advantage or allow them to cheat, in violation of NRS 465.075 and 083."
Markling urged operators to discourage the wearing of Google Glass, but ultimately left the policy up to each individual casino operator's discretion.
"I am unaware of any actual statutory prohibition," on casino-floor photography says MGM Resorts International's Alan Feldman, a longtime Strip veteran. "There was, as I understood it, a general policy of prohibition mostly out of concerns for guests’ privacy. I’m fairly certain there was some sort of signage posted, but unlike a regulatory/compliance matter, it was one of hotel policy … I do know that in the early [1990s], as we became a bit more liberal in permitting casino media coverage, I was told there was no 'legal' prohibition."
However, Boyd Gaming spokesman David Strow says, "Generally speaking, the only photography we permit on the casino floor is of yourself and your family. The main concern is the privacy of other customers."
UNLV's Jennifer Roberts confirms that no-cameras-on-the-casino-floor was a custom rather than a policy. "There is not a gaming law or regulation that addresses filming or photography on a casino floor," she writes. "However, as private-property establishments, casinos are allowed the common-law right to refuse an activity or exclude access under general trespass laws. I would expect that casinos would want to protect the privacy of patrons, so would presumably not want to have persons filmed without prior approval. There are also laws on publicity rights and uses of image and likeness, so when a casino undertakes filming, you often see signage that notifies the public that filming is occurring and that you are consenting to being filmed."
Roberts adds, "However, if filming is occurring at casino games, then there are gaming laws that come into play as far as raising questions as to whether a device is being used to gain advantage or cheat at play."
Not every jurisdiction has relaxed this policy. SouthFlorida.com correspondent David Raterman was forced to delete all his selfies taken at Casino At Dania Beach. No explanation was given for the policy. Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino security director Roderick Baldwin cited both privacy and security concerns when explaining his venue's no-pictures policy. Photos taken could contain "another patron or slot machine information. The level of punishment is a case-by-case situation. Most instances, the patron was unaware photos were not allowed. Photos are not allowed because people expect a level of privacy." (Indeed, the image of Book of Virtues author William Bennett as a paragon of purity was seriously tarnished when he was photographed playing slot machines at a Las Vegas casino.)
Bottom line: There are as many different policies as there are casino operators. Bring your cell phone or camera, but use it with discretion.
