Logout

Question of the Day - 27 March 2025

Q:

Walking around Vegas, I am sometimes approached by prostitutes. One of them, as part of her sales pitch, told me she's so good at what she does that several of the major casinos have hired her when one of their high-rolling whales says he wants a lady for the night. I know casinos will do a lot of things to keep such gamblers happy but do they ever do that?

A:

When he interviewed long-time superhost Steve Cyr on a recent LVA YouTube video, Anthony Curtis asked him, "Do they or don't they?"

He didn't need to say anything more to Cyr, who understood completely and noted that it's one of his most frequently asked questions. 

His answer: Yes, but certainly not according to any written protocol or even on any record. 

Legal casinos operate under strict regulations and licensing requirements that prohibit illicit activities, including prostitution, on their premises. Even in Nevada, which allows legal prostitution in most counties, though not Clark or Reno's Washoe, casinos aren’t -- and couldn't possibly be -- in that business.

That said, the reality, as Cyr admitted and your streetwalker indicated, is somewhat murkier. High rollers often get lavish treatment: comped suites, private jets, exclusive parties. There are plenty of anecdotes and personal experiences that some casinos, or individuals within them, might (wink wink) indirectly (ahem) facilitate access to escorts (sex workers) as part of the "total Vegas experience" to keep big spenders happy. This could mean turning a blind eye, making introductions, or working with third-party "concierges" who arrange such things off-site. 

So call it an open secret. Casinos don’t "hire" prostitutes, but they do enable them. Certain hosts, bellmen, valets, bartenders, etc. know whom to call, though you won't hear them brag about it. It’s a wink-and-nod game, not a payroll line item.

 

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Email us with your suggestion.

Missed a Question of the Day?
OR
Have a Question?
Tomorrow's Question
Has Clark County ever considered legalizing prostitution?

Comments

Log In to rate or comment.
  • churchiec Mar-27-2025
    Casinos can't risk it
    This is total BS as casinos can't afford to run the risk of being shut down for this kind of action. Bear in mind that is ILLEGAL and Casinos can't be seen to be doing this. 

  • Lucky Mar-27-2025
    Hookers
    Churchiec, you are wrong.  Of course, if a high roller wants something, and the rewards of taking care of pretty much everything they want are high, they will make "arrangements".  There will be no paper trail or anything else that can be tracked back to the hotel.  Whether the whale or someone else pays for it, you would never know.  If there is a will, which there is, there will be a way.
    

  • churchiec Mar-27-2025
    Disgruntled Employee
    Lucky ( I hope you are :)  All it takes is one disgruntled employee to snitch. Even a CEO of one casino has been fired for ' violating company policies and employment terms' 

  • Peter Bijlsma Mar-27-2025
    Prostitutes
    They don't call them prostitutes or hookers. Like escorts and models they may refer to them as personal assistants. 
    
    It's not illegal to send someone to a high roller's room, and what kind of service they provide behind closed doors is between the customer and provider. 
    

  • Anthony Curtis Mar-27-2025
    Hand-off
    I was asked in an interview on "20/20" if casinos supply sex for high rollers. My answer was "not officially." And that's accurate. If a valued customer makes a request, it's easily routed to someone in valet, the bell desk, or wherever a connection exists to facilitate what needs doing.

  • Hoppy Mar-27-2025
    But...
    Can the Casinos arrange a burial in the desert?

  • Todd Sweet Mar-27-2025
    To Happy
    "Not officially"  However the right connection can be contacted ;-)
    

  • asaidi Mar-27-2025
    Other requests from high rollers.
    I'm sure casino hosts sometimes get other illegal things if a high roller asks for them.  Like marijuana (before it was legal) or other drugs.  If they spend enough money gambling, they can get anything they want. 

  • Lucky Mar-28-2025
    churchiec
    You are right about employees blowing the whistle, but I doubt that would happen.  Tips for all of this stuff flow downhill.  If some whale wants to be "escorted" around Vegas, what they do is no one else's business.  But you are right, anything can happen.  Specially unmarked plots in the desert.

  • Gene Brown Mar-28-2025
    What Had Happened?!!!
    The oldest profession in the history of mankind is still happening in Vegas, but as they say, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!” Period!!!

  • Luke Conerly Apr-04-2025
    Who pays?
    I'm sure that "making an introduction" to a high roller is legal, but paying for it by the casino is another issue. Do casinos pay for the service or is up to the high-roller or someone else not directly tied to the casino?