What Are the Rules for Wearing Headphones at Table Games?

I have a friend who wants to go to Vegas for the first time. He's on the autism spectrum and at times puts on a headset to help block out noise. At a table game like BJ or craps, will this be a problem? Will it be a problem if he plays music or sounds through it off his phone? I know Vegas has rules about phones at tables, but I haven't seen this addressed. How would this be handled in a sports book? He would be playing on Freemont Street mostly?

[Editor's Note: This question is tailor-made for our guy behind the curtain, Andrew Uyal, supervisor at the Cromwell and author of our book The Blackjack Insiders. We haven't heard from him for a while; it's nice to receive a good question like this that's right up his alley.]

Most Vegas casinos have loosened up their rules, or at least the enforcement thereof, about having phones out at the table. The issue will be with the headset.

Unfortunately, headphones, earbuds, and any other type of in-ear/over-ear devices are prohibited while seated at table games. The reasons for this are many, but the main reason is the counter the possibility of receiving communicated information that might provide the player with an advantage.

In 2022, are there other ways to communicate such information? Absolutely. But this rule stems from gaming law, which prohibits the use of devices -- computers, headsets, cell phones, etc. -- at the tables.

Even though your friend presents a tangible medical reason, I don't see an exception being made. I'd also advise against playing music or sounds through the phone without headphones. That's also prohibited and it tends to raise issues with other players at the table.

That being said, he should be okay in the sports book. People are often on their phones or listening to music (or other games) through headphones while sitting in the books.

On a side note, I know someone with a similar issue. He found that getting up and taking a lap around the casino with the headphones in helped. It's only while seated at the table games that use of headsets, phones, and such is prohibited.

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Kevin C Mar-08-2022

Teach your friend to play live poker

Headphones at poker tables are common and accepted

Lucky Mar-08-2022

Hearing Aids

I have hearing aids that are in my ears, and are somewhat visible, so you can tell I am wearing them.  They can connect directly to the phone via bluetooth and other linking systems.  I could be listening to music, or someone else and they would not know.  Are those also prohibited?  I have never asked to remove them, but have been asked not to use the phone.

Brent Mar-08-2022

I guess it's time for an ADA class-action lawsuit

Being on the spectrum is well-established as being a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Refusing to consider a reasonable accommodation that would allow someone to use a public accommodation (like a casino) is a clear violation of the ADA.

Referring to the state law that prohibits you from considering the accommodation is not an excuse, because the applying the law this way is, in itself, a violation of the ADA.

Some enterprising civil rights lawyer needs to get on this.

Llew Mar-08-2022

Ear plugs?

I often wear foam earplugs in casinos. The noise from machines irritates me.   Perhaps the friend of the person who submitted the question could try them. They don’t block the noise completely but they definitely help. 

Mr Uyal, would pit bosses have a problem with foam earplugs?

rokgpsman Mar-08-2022

Let 'em play but observe the action

This is an interesting question, modern earpieces can be medical hearing devices or they can be part of communication equipment such as law enforcement, security personnel and really anyone can purchase nowadays. Maybe the easiest way the casino could handle this is to simply let the person with the hearing device play, and if they win more than usual politely tell them they can't play that table game anymore. If the person loses then no harm, the casino wins. That's the way they often handle bj players they think might be counting cards but aren't sure. The proof is when the player starts winning in an unusual way. Pit supervisors observe hundreds of players each week, it's a big part of their job. So they know what's typical, what's merely a lucky streak and what's too good to be luck for the player.

jay Mar-08-2022

Private Table

Wynn has private salons with one or two tables usually BlackJack and baccarat. Typically they are used for high rollers but you can ask to use it for other reasons - we had a bachelor party and booked a salon for 8 guys - they insisted a 50/hand min but with 8 of us idiots all looking to egg each other on this was not a barrier to play. Of course the discussion afterwards what better use we could have made with that 30k we just dropped in under 2hrs but it was fun being with the guys.

For myself a private room takes away the fun of being in a casino and I might as well play at home or someone's home which is the opposite issue that your friend has. 

The way I would go about it would be to ask under the context of Americans with disabilities act. Just not sure that Fremont street casinos have private salons unless they use a hospitability suite or something similar.

Ray Mar-08-2022

ADA? Are you sure?

I'm not an expert, but I'm sure those who call this an ADA violation know everything. Refusing to bend a rule (that is backed up by law, too) because someone would be more comfortable breaking it, does not seem to be a violation. The question itself says "at times" to "block out noise", so I don't get the necessity. And seriously, if noise bothers the friend, don't go to a casino. They are some of the noisiest places on Earth. Also, the noise at a BJ game is certainly no louder than the rest of the casino. Why does everybody need to turn everything into a lawsuit?

Roy Furukawa Mar-08-2022

No Lawsuit

I doubt anyone can sue gambling establishments for the right to use headsets, etc. because it would likely fall outside of reasonable accommodations. I do wonder how that is for Bluetooth enabled hearing aids though.

Question of the Day - 08 March 2022

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