What Are the Rules about Dogs in Casinos?

I just watched a youtube video of a high-roller video poker player playing $500 a hand at Aria, who had his toy poodle lick the machine for good luck. It had a support vest on. What are the rules?

We’re not sure about the rules that concern dogs licking slot machines for luck, if that’s what you’re asking.

But we can say that service dogs are allowed to go anywhere with a guest — the casino, restaurants, pool area, even the nightclub. And hotel staff can ask only two questions about dogs (or miniature horses) that guests bring and claim to be service animals, when the answers aren't self-evident from simple observation:

Is this animal needed because of a disability?

What work or tasks has this animal been trained to do?

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, hospitality staff cannot ask for documents, certificates, proof, or details about either the individual’s disability or the animals’ training. The biggest complaint disability organizations hear from their clients is that they're challenged in these ways.

For a similar question we answered about a year ago, we learned that even if it doesn't look like a service dog, if the guest claims it is, the dog has free run to go anywhere with the patron. However, in a non-pet-friendly hotel, if someone is simply taking a dog for a walk in the casino or bringing one along for lucky licks, security would probably find him or her and ask him and her to take the dog and leave.

That said, if that someone is firing up a slot or video poker machine at $500 a hand, even non-pet-friendly casinos would probably tolerate his or her dog.

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Randall Ward Apr-07-2019

service animals

just add that support animals can't make a mess or be aggressive or disruptive.

VegasROX Apr-07-2019

Service vs support

While SERVICE animals are covered by the ADA regs, SUPPORT anythings are NOT, in any way, shape, fashion or form, period. Airlines are finally getting it right by making the distinctions between the two. You do not want me bringing my St Bernard on the plane with me, no matter how much comfort he gives me during a flight. People who go on eBay and buy a vest for their animal, where their is no disability need, make it harder on those who truly have a disability and a true need for a service animal to help them, which is why that part of the ADA was included. You will always find dishonest folks who push the law, and we all become inconvenienced as a result, unfortunately.

Kevin Lewis Apr-07-2019

Anyone who enters a casino...

Must be at least a 10:1 dog to win. Anyone who has a better chance is not welcome, as we all know.

galeekas Apr-07-2019

distgusting allowed

I have had the unfortunate experience of seeing dogs eating from on the tables at more than one restaurant with employees too afraid to do or say something. Also seen dogs actually pushing the spin buttons to play slot machines. This is unfortunately tolerated by staff and security. It is becoming more of an everywhere experience and I wish something could be done to stop it instead of us having to run to say something and put ourselves in the middle of it.

jay Apr-07-2019

Dogs

I am so going to teach my dog to count. Ha ha

Donald Day Apr-07-2019

Don Day

Why shouldn't people be required to provide documentation that the animal is a service dog?????

John Van Engen Apr-07-2019

Service Dogs

The dog is all right with me as long as he doesn't smoke.

VegasROX Apr-07-2019

Don- it's the law

Don, it's all spelled out in the ADA law, basically against the law to even ask.  Since this thread started, if you are reading this on your computer, all around the QOD is ads for registering your service animals OR "emotional support animal".  If you click on one of the ads, which does help out LVA a bit (no problem with that), you can even talk with a "registered mental health professional" who will, after talking and some $$$ changes hands, be able to provide you with a written letter that you too, will need an emotional support animal. Says it will help get your animal on a place, but the ADA does not include support animals, only SERVICE animals.

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