Poll Preview: Should More Casinos Enforce an Over-21 Policy?

Poll Preview: Should more casinos enforce an over-21 policy?

Late last month, within a day of each other, Circa opened downtown and the Cromwell reopened on the Strip -- as adults-only properties. The under-21 crowd can go to Giadia on the second floor of the Cromwell and Barry’s Downtown Prime restaurant in the basement of Circa. That's it. They're not allowed anywhere else on the properties.

So we're wondering how y'all feel about this development, which is a first of its kind in the casino world (Bellagio banned strollers for a while 20 years ago, but had to rescind the policy in the face of the blowback).

Initially, we're leaning toward a simple binary Yes/No poll: Do you approve of the over-21-only development in Las Vegas? We would, as usual, relegate the justifications, contentions, and sentiments to the comment boxes.

But there might be an argument for including some choices involving the benefits and/or drawbacks of the adults-only stance, so we're including them here and you can let us know which you prefer.

You can also add your own reasons for lining up on one side or the other on the issue, which we'll also consider including depending on which way the final decision goes.

As always, thanks in advance for your feedback on this poll that'll run next Wednesday. Here are the possible choices:

Given their nature with gambling, drinking, and all the suggestions of sex, casinos are for adults, not kids.

Regardless of the justifications, I go to casinos to get away from a bunch of rugrats running around my feet. Let them go to Disney World.

At adults-only casinos, I don't have to worry about getting carded all the time at the bars and restaurants.

A casino that prohibits children just feels cooler and slicker.

Small adults-only casinos are fine, but there's no way a 4,000-room megaresort can stay in business without a family market.

What's the matter with kids? I was one once. As long as they're supervised, they should be allowed wherever their parents go.

Banning kids from casinos will just make them long to go there more, setting up a possible unhealthy relationship later in their lives.

I like people watching in casino environments and children are naturally entertaining in their responses and playfulness.

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?

Have a Question?

Tomorrow's Question

Has Clark County ever considered legalizing prostitution?

Comments

Jackie Nov-18-2020

I don't get it!

What's wrong with the way it's always been?
Are there some pressing issues I'm unaware of?
Are casinos going to card everyone and stamp the back of your hand if you are 21+?
Oh well, as Gump said "stupid is as stupid does"!

Donzack Nov-18-2020

Future customers

I occasionally see families cheering on daddy at the very familiar video games like the ones at home,as he wins the minimum payout. Very smart on the casino side. Not so good for the kids. I also remember at Arlington race track, seeing moms, maybe nanny’s, leaving babies strapped in the car seat, on the floor,up against a wall, 50 feet  away so she could collect or make her wagers at the window. And you know she wasn’t looking over her shoulder to make sure the kid is okay. 
 At least leave the kids in the room with a sitter,better yet leave em at home.

rokgpsman Nov-18-2020

Kids- yes or no?

Seems ironic to ban kids at casino-hotels when so many of them are !!conceived!! there (smile).
With the dozens of different properties that Vegas has let each one decide if it wants an adults-only rule. That way every type of tourist will have places that fit their lifestyle and situation. Excalibur and Circus-Circus have been extra-friendly to family w/kids for years, adults that don't want to be around kids simply go to other places.

Terence Nov-18-2020

Kids

Taking kids to Las Vegas is like taking a hooker to Disney World.  You can do it, but why would you want to?

Hobbs Nov-18-2020

Being Carded

Casino's for 21 and up? OK. A property the doesn't attract children is the easiest solution and has always been my preference, think MSS.  Actually having you drivers license scanned, and all the sensitive information captured, is simply unacceptable. This is what the new Circa and old Golden Gate tried to do last week. They, and anyone else who tries this, are completely off the list forevermore.

David Nov-18-2020

Yes and No.

I took my boys on a trip west a couple of years ago when they were 14 and 18, starting in the Grand Canyon and ending at Hoover Dam.  For the 2 days we were in Vegas, they were way too old to be interested Circus Circus and Excalibur, but every time they tried to cheer Mom on a slot machine, someone would always approach the 14 year old, ask for id and tell him he couldn't be not moving on the casino floor.  So other than being in the hotel rooms, what's the difference?  There is no good answer that my 18 year old can get a job, drive, smoke, get married, join the military, but can't stand still on a casino floor or have a legal beer.  Go ahead and ban the preteens, but young adults really should be on a case by case basis.

David Miller Nov-18-2020

Leave the kids home

There is ALWAYS a small percentage of the population that spoil a Vegas trip for others by dragging along their children. Vegas is FOR adults - leave your kids home.

Allen Emory Nov-18-2020

Children in a stroller while mom and dad get drunk and party....

... I see that in Vegas all the time.  It is very sad to watch. Vegas is adult entertainment. Parenting is a full-time job. The two don't mix.

jay Nov-18-2020

Kids Space

I have taken my kids to Vegas. By day we did the pinball hall of fame, circus circus, hoover dam (kid friendly stuff). One NYEwe did Fergie. The next night my casino host got the bunch of us in to see David Spade. It was an over 21 show but nothing my 17yr old kids have not heard before. Generally speaking we do dinner, buy the kids a fancy drink like a virgin pina-coladia and set them up with a pay per view movie while we hit the tables. We didn't do any gambling by day while we tended to the kids.

It would strike me that it would be good business if they created a floor or took a couple of the un-used conference rooms and made a supervised playcenter for the kids. Charge the parents $40 or such. If nothing else it would keep the parents on the property. 

Generally speaking Vegas at night is not for kids. I don't really need them seeing the drunk 22yr old with her boobs popping out or hearing the 50yr old next door swearing while banging a hooker.

CLIFFORD Nov-18-2020

WHY

DO PARENTS TAKE CHILDREN INTO A SMOKE FILLED ATMOSPHERE?  EVEN BABIES IN STROLLERS!  I THINK THERE SHOULD ONLY BE  A COUPLE OF CHILDREN FRIENDLY CASINOS AND THOSE SHOULD BE SMOKE FREE.

Dave Nov-18-2020

18-20?

Dave (the other Dave above) makes an interesting point: What about the 18-20 crowd?

The reason they aren't allowed to gamble has nothing to do with gambling and everything to do with alcohol. It's just easier to say 21+ on the casino floor than it is to make sure that any 18-20 year old isn't drinking while gambling.

While there aren't many, there ARE some casinos that don't serve alcohol, and because of that, they allow the 18+ gang to gamble.

But back to the original topic. Frankly, the question is worded poorly. I think the casinos SHOULD be 21+ (or 18+ if they can handle the logistics) but the remainder of the resort is the actual question.

Having a couple upscale resorts be 21+ is nice. But I wouldn't want all resorts to forbid kids. After all, casino resorts are a fine place for a family to stay while doing the tourist stuff at places close to the casino.

Kevin Lewis Nov-18-2020

An environment that's perfect for children

Vegas was built and continues to operate on the business of people who are much younger than 21.

Mentally.

Brian Soper Nov-18-2020

Then go somewhere else

If you have under-21's with you, simply go somewhere else.  Nobody is putting a gun to your head.  There are only 2 casinos requiring 21 and over (so far), plenty of other choices are available.

[email protected] Nov-18-2020

Yes and no

When I lived in California we would go and frequent Las Vegas with my two younger children but would primarily stay at the station casinos and places like gold coast, Sam's town, Orleans where most of the locals go because there are kid play places, movies theaters, bowling alleys, video arcades so most of the places off strip are good for families. The kids all enjoy the pool which are nice, took them to the magic shows there's lots of cool things to do for kids and less not forget the buffets even though that might be a thing of the past now!

Ray Nov-18-2020

consider the LVA audience

It seems from the comments that many of the responders either don't have kids or don't like their kids. Before our kids were of age, we went on vacation together...as a family. And Las Vegas was a place where they could be entertained and we could go to the casinos at night. Actually the yes/no question is the simplest because the answer will come from the casinos number crunchers. Will it increase business or decrease business. You don't need us to answer. It depends on how many rooms are filled and whether or not the casino floor is filled.

Dave Kamsler Nov-18-2020

not far enough

I'll add a suggestion on the other end of the spectrum....I think The Cromwell and Circa didn't go far enough.  Can't they be *entirely* kid-free, and not make an exception for their fanciest restaurant?  Why -- in the middle of a kid-free resort -- do I have to worry about a screaming, misbehaving toddler at the next table when I'm trying to enjoy an expensive dinner?

Pat Roach Nov-18-2020

AP R

The "over 21" in the question should read, "21 and over."

Kevin Rough Nov-18-2020

It's nice not to be near kids

There are times when I don't want to be around children.  I want to blow off steam and sometimes it's hard in front of a preschooler.  Places for adults used to be a thing.

Many casinos outside Nevada don't allow children on the casino floor.  It's not a big deal to card people who look young.

Question of the Day - 18 November 2020

Comments