Are there really any differences now between the casino experience in California and Las Vegas? Why would people drive all the way to Las Vegas when they could have a similar experience closer to home?
[Editor's Note: This was the second part of the questions submitted to us, including the first part that we covered yesterday.]
When the Native American tribes in the Golden State figure out the answer to your second question, Sin City will be in a boatload of trouble. Yesterday, we discussed the material differences between the gambling offerings in Las Vegas and those found in California. Today, we focus on the experiential ones, with more help from Tribal Gaming & Hospitality magazine Executive Editor Chris Faria.
Are the experiences different?
“In terms of quality and amenities, often not,” says Faria. After all, the best tribal casinos in the Golden State already offer luxury hotels, as well as spas, with more coming all the time. They also have large concert venues and purpose-built showrooms. Tribal casinos have come up in the world to the point that they can book the same national touring acts the Vegas casinos do — sometimes at a price point that’s much friendlier to your wallet.
"Fine dining is also now a big selling point of the California casino experience. The Agua Caliente casino chain, for instance, prides itself on the many awards won by its various and sundry restaurants, which offer something for virtually every palate. And VIP programs are in place, as are casino hosts and high-limit gambling rooms.
“From a guest perspective, the hospitality and entertainment experience can rival Las Vegas properties,” summarizes Faria.
“Where differences remain is regulatory,” she continues. “Nevada operates under a broad commercial-gaming model, allowing statewide sports betting (including mobile wagering) and fewer structural constraints on certain traditional table game formats. California does not currently permit statewide sports betting and some table games are structured under compact terms specific to tribal gaming.”
So what is Vegas’ secret ingredient? For Faria, that's its unmatched density, unique except perhaps in Macau. In addition to a critical mass of entertainment offerings, Las Vegas has the world’s largest concentration of casinos, many of them plush megaresorts, as well as the two biggest sports books on the planet (Circa, Westgate), plus a plethora of smaller (but still sizable) books.
“For many Californians, tribal casinos provide a comparable resort and entertainment experience closer to home — with one important distinction: Revenue is reinvested into tribal governments and community development, not corporate shareholders,” Faria says.
That may be something to think about the next time you’re feeling the corporate gouge in Sin City.
