Is There a Clear definition as to the Extent of the Las Vegas Strip?

Is there a clear definition as to the extent of the Las Vegas Strip? For years I had thought the Strip was defined as the portion of Las Vegas Blvd. between the Stratosphere on the north side and Mandalay Bay on the south end. Now I’ve seen the South Point and M resorts indicating they are on the Strip. Are those casinos counted by the Gaming Commission as being on the Strip? I guess the real question is, what does the Gaming Commission consider to be a Strip resort versus other areas within the Las Vegas Valley?

Before we get to how the Nevada Gaming Control Board defines the Strip, a word from Clark County Director of Communications Erik Pappa.

“There are historic reasons for why the Strip has always existed outside the city of Las Vegas, dating back to when the first casino was built beyond the city limits. The El Rancho Vegas opened south of the city limit at Sahara (across the street from the current Sahara Hotel).

“Guy McAfee actually coined the name the Las Vegas Strip, naming it after the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. So the Strip extends from Sahara Avenue south to the ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign. Some folks argue that the southern terminus should be Russell Road, but the ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign makes more sense, I think.”

Even using the more-liberal Russell Road definition, both South Point and M Resort would be well beyond any reasonable definition of “the Strip.” Both are well isolated from other hotel-casinos, so calling themselves “Strip” properties seems the height of wishful thinking.

When defining “the Strip” for purposes of breaking out monthly gaming revenue, the GCB includes neither South Point nor M. As a sort of consolation prize, South Point owner Michael Gaughan’s tight-holding slot concession at McCarran International Airport is included.

Also, the Control Board defines the Strip both in terms of north to south and east to west. For instance, Silver Sevens, on Paradise Road, is a “Strip” casino. So is Palace Station, several blocks to the west.

“Historically (before my time), a property would have a Strip designation due to its size, competition and amenities,” writes GCB analyst Michael Lawton. “Additionally, some locations are included in the area due to their geographical proximity to the Strip.”

Here, from A to W, are the casinos officially deemed “Strip” properties:

Aria; Bally’s Las Vegas; The Beach (defunct); Bellagio; Caesars Palace; Casino Royale; Circus Circus, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; The Cromwell; Ellis Island; Excalibur; Flamingo Las Vegas; Gold Coast; Hard Rock Hotel (now Virgin Las Vegas); Harrah’s Las Vegas; The Linq; Luxor; Mandalay Bay; MGM Grand; The Mirage; New York-New York; Oyo Hotel (formerly Hooters); Palms Resort; Paris-Las Vegas; Park MGM; Peppermill Coffee Shop & Lounge; Planet Hollywood; The Rio; Sahara; Stage Door; Treasure Island; Tropicana Las Vegas; Tuscany; The Venetian (and Palazzo); Westgate Las Vegas; Days Inn @ Wild Wild West; Wynn Las Vegas (and Encore).

In other words, think of “the Strip” as a box bordered by Sahara Avenue on the north, Sunset Road on the south, Paradise Road on the east, and Arville Street on the west.

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Comments

David Liming Apr-27-2021

Strip Bad definition

The strip should be Las Vegas Blvd where we all can walk from one to another next door and across the Blvd.  Expanding it to include Palace Station, etc. is stupid in my mind.

Edso Apr-27-2021

Dave's Right

The Strip should be those along, or connected to Las Vegas boulevard.  Love the Tuscany and Ellis Island, but pretty sure they're seen as locals casinos, and not strip casinos.  And Days Inn/Wild Wild West, a strip casino, that's really a stretch.

Ray Apr-27-2021

Why does it matter?

I understand that the  Nevada Gaming Control Board organize places under their own terminology, but why should I care? If I say I'm going to Ellis Island or Tuscany or Gold Coast, I'll call them by name, not by I'm going to "strip casino" Gold Coast. I'd like to know why anybody outside the authorities would even care.

Luis Apr-27-2021

then......

If one of the borders of the strip is Arville Street, then "the Orleans, right on the corner of Arville and Tropicana is a Stripp Hotel Casino?,just asking.

Don the Dentist Apr-27-2021

Strange

Yep, when I think of the strip, I always include the Gold Coast, OYO, Stage Door, Tuscany and Ellis Island.

Dave in Seattle. Apr-27-2021

The strip?

Good answer, but complex.
You may be in Summerlin. No,Paradice.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=I6NiNUiI&id=0FE82924B9CAD4493C571FD0715C7B4223CA3B4D&thid=OIP.I6NiNUiIiRfAkKAfmsausgHaEw&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR23a3623548888917c090a01f9ac6aeb2%3frik%3dTTvKI0J7XHHQHw%26riu%3dhttp%253a%252f%252ftravelsfinders.com%252fwp-content%252fuploads%252f2017%252f04%252flas_vegas-city-map.gif%26ehk%3d6ufXof3xK%252b2gKE9B4WfV7CR0mr8JLlSNDc2TmDVWrlg%253d%26risl%3d%26pid%3dImgRaw&exph=759&expw=1183&q=city+map+las+vegas&simid=608048364246079065&ck=498CC3456EF90D4FDE46C209861E6770&selectedIndex=0&FORM=IRPRST&idpp=overlayview&ajaxhist=0

VegasVic Apr-27-2021

Ray's Right

It doesn't matter.  Who cares what the label is on a particular casino?  Between this QOD and tomorrow's slot machine volume question I think they have a low amount of incoming good questions lol. We need to do better and start submitting some good one's.

Stewart Ethier Apr-27-2021

Strat?

I think the Stratosphere deserves Strip status before Silver Sevens or Palace Station.  As you view the Las Vegas skyline from the east, you see a cluster of high rises from MBay to the Strat.  THAT is the Strip as far as I'm concerned.

Sam Glantzow Apr-27-2021

similar

this seems like all the businesses and housing developments that use the name "Princeton" in Jersey for prestige reasons even though they're MILES from the college town.

Bob Apr-27-2021

Mardi Gras

What about the poor little Mardi Gras???  its right next door to Westgate (well kinda)

Eggheaddoggy Apr-27-2021

Agree with Vegas Vic

No one is up in arms about the Red Dragon (formerly BJ’s) behind MGM. Why do we care? 

I can’t wait to see tomorrow’s question. Hopefully the context/background  to the question  is better than the preview. Not going to spoil the answer for anyone, but if you don’t already know the answer ....

Question of the Day - 27 April 2021

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