Can You Play Slots with a Three-Month-Old in a Backpack?

If you have a three-month old sleeping in a backpack, will they let you sit and play slots?

[Editor's Note: This question went to Andrew Uyal, pit supervisor at the Cromwell, for the answer.]

It's a good question and it seems perfectly reasonable, doesn't it?

The answer, however, is no. You won't be allowed to sit and play slots with a baby in a backpack, or a front pack, or a stroller, or anywhere nearby. The letter of the law is everyone must be 21 to be permitted to linger in a gaming area. No exceptions.

It seems like you should be able to have a baby there with you. It's certainly better than leaving him or her in the car! But where's the line? When he can talk? When she can walk? When he can drive? Unfortunately for family-gambling enthusiasts, the line is 21 years of age.

Remember, one of Las Vegas' nicknames is "Adult Disneyland." While the Vegas "resorts," as they prefer to be called (rather than casinos), are trying to add family-friendly activities, attractions, and shows, the casinos are still 21 and over.

Does this mean security will detain your three-month-old, or older children walking through the casino? No, of course not. Staff is well aware of all the family-friendly activities, including restaurants. As long as your underagers are moving through with you, it's all right. If you stop for any amount of time, though, don't be surprised if a security officer or other member of the staff urges you to move along.

Here's something else to remember. While it may seem harmless to let your child press the button or pull the handle on a slot machine when no one's looking, if you happen to hit a big jackpot on that pull, you won't get paid.

Aside from the big jackpots, if you're caught allowing or enabling a minor to gamble (this usually applies to older kids who are closer to 21), depending on the amount of money involved, the staff may be required to report you to Gaming. This is a headache for everyone: paperwork, emails, records, and surveillance reviews. It's a labor-intensive process and you could be forced to sit there through the whole thing, which will put a damper on your vacation.

It's fairly common in other countries and other gaming jurisdictions, such as Native American reservations, for the gaming age to be 18. In Vegas, though, it's 21 or move along.

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Comments

Jackie Feb-23-2023

Now that raises a question

The Under ager hit a $million progressive.
Since it can't be paid, does the progressive reset to the base starting mount or does it continue to progress.
I'm sure it has happened but never heard which option took place.

Gregory Feb-23-2023

Pets are okay though...

Dress the baby up like a puppy and tell the staff it's your emotional support animal.

Frank Romano Feb-23-2023

Wynn

Happened to me waiting for a table at Red 8 at the Wynn. Restaurant is on the casino floor. No where to 'wait'. So I decided to sit at a slot machine with my son in a stroller next to me. Security asked(made) me move. I wasn't even gambling...

Bob Nelson Feb-23-2023

Ugh

Nothing like providing your infant with the Minimum Daily Requirement of foul air!

Lotel Feb-23-2023

Think ahead

A Parent should have  thought of this before you have a child. Is gambling more important to you  than raising a child then don't have a child .  how can having your  child try to sleep in a smoked filled,  noisy casino be a good idea? Is it healthy?  Should ask would the local/ state/city Child Welfare Service approve of this

alohafri Feb-23-2023

Think Ahead 2

Also, if you are a gambler, you will need something for your underaged children to do. Are they old enough to be left to their own devices and go to a video arcade with a roll of quarters? Are they young enough that you will need babysitting services so you can have some "adult" time? We took my stepson to Vegas with us one year when he was 17 or 18. His grandmother lived there. I felt so bad for him. He was too old to enjoy video arcades and the pools weren't open yet. Poor kid looked bored as could be.

Diamonddog2801 Feb-23-2023

Just waiting at the cage.....

I remember waiting to be served at the cage in the Monte Carlo 15 or so years ago,  with my two young daughters (10 & 8 at the time) and my wife. The line was long enough that we were actually just standing inside a slots area.... not playing just waiting.  The two girls (and my wife) were moved on by security as they were considered to be loitering in a gaming area with a minor. Seemed petty but... rules is rules....

Jetpilotrick Feb-23-2023

Really?

Can’t even believe you would consider that!

O2bnVegas Feb-23-2023

No way no how

Can't think of a worse precedent to set.  What next, breast feeding at the slots?  Diaper aroma?  Glad the casinos are strict about it. 

Candy

jay Feb-23-2023

Keno

When I took my underage kids to Vegas. I used to get some keno forms and let them pick a series of numbers while we were in a restaurant, then I would go to the desk and register the ticket. Long gone are the Keno runners. 

This would keep them busy (quiet) in the restaurants. No one cares if kids are checking tickets as the adult is the one to register the ticket. I never let my kids run amuck, but this also ensured they were not noisy either. Maybe I am old school but kids should be seen and not heard. 

For my 2c - kids don't belong in the casinos period. We would go to Vegas and do kid things by day - Pool, Red Rock, Valley of Fire, Pinball hall of fame, shopping, day trip to Grand Canyon, museums, then at night if we were not taking in a show - we would get the kids Virgin Pina Colada type drinks, set them up with pay per view and head out for the evening to gamble. These were 12 & 14 year olds, not babies.

Bryan Carr Feb-23-2023

South Dakota

South Dakota is a wonderful place to gamble if you want your children with you. Children of all ages can stand next to you, behind you, even sit in your lap. The only thing they can’t do, is press that button or pull that handle. They can even be with you while you play blackjack.

Ray Feb-23-2023

Like jay

We were fortunate that my parents retired to Vegas, so we had a place to stay. We would do many things during the day with the kids. My Mom would research things to do for kids (in addition to Circus Circus and Excalibur). In the evenings Dad would take us to the locals casinos and we'd get our gambling in. We also did the Keno thing, too. 

Another thing, since you all bad-mouth cruise ships and their poor paybacks, but they (at least when our kids were all teenagers and younger) didn't stop ANYONE from playing their slots.

Another thing, I just shake my head and laugh that people immediately jump up and turn it into an anti-smoking rant.

[email protected] Feb-23-2023

Dogs should not be allowed in casinos

Pet dogs shouldn't be allowed in casinos either! Many times I've almost tripped over a dog that was lying on the floor at the blackjack table!

AL Feb-23-2023

Foreigners

At a Las Vegas casino, I once saw a Hispanic family in which the parents were gleefully letting their kid (about 10 years old) play a slot machine.  The impression wasn't that they knew the rules and were intentionally bucking them.  More likely, they were from some country below the border and just didn't know about the casino's (Nevada's?) rules.  I don't know how long that kid had been playing the slot machine, but no casino personnel came by to nix the operation before I left.

mhernandez116 Feb-23-2023

Let's make a deal

I won't bring hookers to Disneyland.
You don't bring kids to Vegas.

Question of the Day - 23 February 2023

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