When Did the Rules Change about Taking Photos in Casinos?

I'm old enough to remember a ban on photography in casinos. Now, everyone has their photo-capable cell phones out wherever they go, taking selfies by slot machines. When did the house rules change from "no photos" to photos allowed, and are there still any photo bans?

Historically, almost all casinos prohibited the taking of photographs and signs at entrances were posted to that effect. It had to do with privacy and the protection of players, especially when gambling was a vice everywhere except Nevada and the mob, notoriously camera-shy, was running the town. It also was a means of preventing casing the casino for a potential robbery and possible cheating -- photographing security, the cage, money movements, and the like.

Thus, up until fairly recently, casinos were extremely sensitive about photography, especially video, anywhere on their property. Las Vegas is a place people escape to, sometimes when they're actually meant to be somewhere else, with someone else, and the casinos didn't want to risk being sued by someone who lost his or her marriage or job over an inadvertent exposure.

In latter years, our impression is that this policy has loosened up somewhat, with casinos being more tolerant of casual snapshots and cell-phone selfies.

These days, there seem to be as many different policies on photos in the casino as there are casino operators. Caesars Palace, for example, has always been notoriously averse to the practice, whereas the Four Queens has allowed photos for years (though no video). The Boyd casinos (Sam's Town, Fremont, California, Gold Coast, etc.) allow photos in the casino, but only selfies (you and/or your family).

Bottom line: You can bring your cell phone or camera, but use it with discretion. In general, it's fine to take a photograph of your buddies drinking at the bar, or eating at the buffet, or posing with an attraction, but it might not be okay to start snapping them playing blackjack, or hitting a slot jackpot, or hanging out in the race and sports book.

If you try it and security shows up, use the old cheater's line, "Oh, excuse me," and put the phone or camera away.

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

How about rundowns on Danny Gans and Bob Anderson?

Comments

Adam Cohen Nov-19-2019

What about you tube

It is hard to tell the casino to casino what they allow.  But I do notice that most Youtube channels on Vegas seem to shy away from videos in the casino and pool but seem fine everywhere else on the property.  I always thought any video or pics in the sportsbook were not allowed.

gaattc2001 Nov-19-2019

Here and there you still see signs...

saying photography is forbidden--Colorado Belle Laughlin, for example--but it would be hard to enforce across the board. I've taken pictures of VP screens at several places in Las Vegas, Laughlin, and Phoenix, and haven't been called on it yet. But then, I don't make a big production out of it.
Bob Dancer points out that lots of folks post pictures on VP fan sites showing the Royals they hit playing 7-5 DDB (for example) so everybody can see how dumb they were to be playing that game in the first place.

Pat Higgins Nov-19-2019

Pat H

What about super large # of security cameras the casinos have all over the place--of course with the exception of in the restrooms and in the hotel rooms.

Derbycity123 Nov-19-2019

Banded from Casino

There was a local guy who vloged about poker at the local riverboat and would video some on the boat. He was warned about it but then he had video on the boat on another of his vlogs and he was band from all Caesars properties. Odd they did not catch him filming but seen it in his vlog. That was about a year ago and he is still band. He played almost everyday, all the other poker players liked him and the poker room people liked him but corporate people band him. Told him he would be arrested if he even came anywhere on the property.

Ray Nov-19-2019

Casino photos

We were at the Isle of Capri in Iowa and they had some smiley face slots for a promotion and my wife wanted a picture. Someone practically tackled me and told us no pictures allowed. The funny thing is, whenever one of us hits a jackpot or a nice 4-of-a-kind in VP, we take a  almost everywhere and rarely has anyone stopped us. One other story, a couple (few) years ago we were at the Plaza and Oscar Goodman passed me going into the men's bathroom as I was coming out. I told my wife and she waited for him to come out and asked if we could take a picture (him and me). He graciously said yes, and by the time we left, dozens of people surrounded him and his entourage asking if THEY could get a picture, too. Right in the middle of the casino. No problem whatsoever.

Jon Anderson Nov-19-2019

photos in a casino

just go on you-tube and there's literally hundreds of videos showing live slot play (ie: the slot lady---new jersey slot guy--
and many, many more) recorded at las vegas and atlantic city casinos. also live craps action by the dozens. not saying it's approved or even legal, just saying it's rampant. there's also tons of walk through videos in numerous hotels/casinos and on occasion the person filming will be asked to stop but that's about all. the old days are long gone and that's both good and bad. such is life my friends. keep up the good work lva.

O2bnVegas Nov-19-2019

you tube videos

Those slot videos I've watched on You Tube are careful to show only the screen, rarely any surroundings, mostly the floor when they are adjusting their camera, etc.  I haven't been able to tell what casino they are filming in.  Otherwise I would think the casino is putting up their money for the shoot.  Maybe they are...does anyone know?

Nov-19-2019

No cameras allowed at this Boyd property

Par-A-Dice (Peoria, Ill) has signage, when entering the boat casino, that prohibits all photography. There is no exception as mentioned in the question's answer.

Nov-20-2019

Extra thoughts

I think the casinos' perspective right now is to protect against two things: (1) losing money to gamblers or other casinos, and (2) losing a lawsuit. On the 1st point, I can see how they would not want someone to photograph the wallboard in the sportsbook that shows all the odds they have posted for all the games in all the sports. That would allow people to compare the different casinos' wallboards, and to share the photos with many other people. It would be especially "dangerous" if a mistake that favors players was made on the board. But a photo of your video poker screen after you got a nice hit doesn't expose the casino to either gambling loss or lawsuit loss. To the contrary: sharing such a photo could only abet the casino's reputation as a place where big hits occur, which would draw more gamblers to play there. But I also have to ask whether anyone has sued a casino (even just to get an injunction for permission) that has forbidden him from taking photos. LVA, can you comment?

Question of the Day - 19 November 2019

Comments