Question of the Day - 24 March 2021

All of the above combines to the giant spike, not a nail, called corporate greed. But for me the worst is low pay tables on video poker. I’m surprised your list doesn’t mention legalized gambling in other states.

Probably one or a few of these items are unimportant to one person, and a different few to another. For example, I don't get excited about  the lack of $50 buffets or de-theming; and somebody else might not care much about 6-5 Blackjack. But most long-time Las Vegas visitors probably feel strongly about several items on the list, even if not everyone would pick the same ones. And if the biggest nail were identified and eliminated, the others would still be there. 
It's more like the death of a thousand carpet tacks.
 

I'll add conventions and trade shows to the list.  If they don't return, and actually increase in volume and attendance, to above the pre-pandemic figures, you can stick a fork in Vegas.  Hard to support the casinos and their necessary greed, if half the visitors don't have an expense account.

I agree with thebeachbum concerning trade shows/events. Plus, and I know this falls under "Comp cutbacks," but more specifically: the tightening of free drinks to players.

Several of the selections allude to, and revolve around the biggest nail, but nobody has called out the 2000 pound gorilla in the room, corporate takeover of Las Vegas.  I know that the corporations are present everywhere in the gambling industry, but they are concentrated in Vegas and develop and perfect most of their schemes here.  The end of the "Mob Era", resort fees, paid parking, tightening pay schedules and almost everything else detrimental to traditional Las Vegas begins, revolves around and ends with corporate management.  At least the mob wanted that everybody should be happy.  Call it like it is and add a choice for corporate takeover of Las Vegas.

" I'm not dead Yet...  I feel Happy"     

Let us not blame all for the evils of a few.  One corporation owns the three major casinos in Pahrump but none of the shenanigans going on in Las Vegas are happening here.  The same for all Indian casinos.  I'm sure the strip casinos will get ripped by Mohegan Sun when it opens in Las Vegas and will have to reevaluate their greed tactics. BTW, the majority of the poll "choices" fall into the greed category as a catch all.
The real problem with Las Vegas is what was said in a recent QOD, "It ain't Vegas anymore". The strip has turned Vegas into something no one recognizes anymore. That is the biggest nail! All of the greed things people complain about is nothing more than the corporations "cover charge" for just showing up in Las Vegas.
But the problem is that they are not giving people anything in return for the cover charge but even more greed.  But don't worry as when the strip corporations crash and burn new management will come to the rescue.

Resort fees, Parking charges, Comp cutbacks
The old perception - going to Vegas was a vacation that had real value. Cheap rooms, buffets, etc.
The new perception - the local casinos are just as good and none of the bulls**t charges.

Add to the above noted airline policies, "Green new deal" ideas of eliminating fossil fuels and the sudden rise of airline costs will kill the annual 40 million or so tourists that visit via air.

I think the addition of the 30 CVS and Walgreens along with Ross, Target and the myriad of all the other non-gaming along the strip has killed it for me.

I like Donzack's summary of "corporate greed." Put differently, somewhere recently I saw a piece that said "Vegas is now only fun if you're already rich."

A thing I loved about Vegas when I started going in the early 90's was that it had the whole range. I could play $2 craps for a couple hours with just like $40 (with free drinks), I could snag cheap or free tickets to shows (maybe not the best ones, but they're still shows), I could get steak & eggs at the Rio at 2 AM for $1.99. I could play Let It Ride and have the hope, however small, of a relatively big score. If and when I could afford it, I could also splurge on a Cirque show or drop a couple hundred bucks on a meal. Now, there's so many fees, the house edge has been bumped up as much as possible, and there's so much emphasis on high end restaurants, clubs, and bottle service that the "low roller" isn't welcome anymore.

this is a good list and i agree that, collectively, there's something here for everybody to hate. so why choose just one? 

different people come to las vegas for very different reasons... i may be offended by the horrible VP pay tables, but your average ploppy isn't. the person who comes to vegas for shows and fine dining, doesn't care about the reduction in comps because s/he doesn't earn many. but they care tremendously about resort fees and parking fees. your medium and high rollers don't care about resort fees because they generally don't pay them, but they do care about comp cutbacks.

you're smart to include the smell of marijuana smoke everywhere in your list.... that is a contributing factor to las vegas' decline, for sure... but you left off the failure to ban cigarette smoking. huge demand for that, as evidenced by your own polling.

Good Grief!! Are you all at awake already? Vegas is great at re-inventing itself. You guys are acting as if it become a ghost town. Actually, to me, the worst thing tha happened to Vegas is the proliferation of all forms of gambling elsewhere. Vegas survived the massive increase in casinos in the country, but now the large increase in sports betting is the next challenge. The real answer (if there IS an answer) is if they don't find a way to convince gamblers that they will have a better time in Vegas than at gambling choices closer to home. None of the above answers will kill Vegas any more than those answers would hurt  or kill other venues. So my submission is NOTHING. There aren't enough nails to close the coffin.

I don't see Las Vegas returning to its heyday any time soon. It was going downhill way before the pandemic with resort fees, parking charges, tightening of game odds and holds, comp cuts, usurious car rental charges...etc. I for one stopped staying anywhere near the strip because of the crowds and the ridiculous prices the casinos charged. I started varying my travel and started to go to Reno and Lake Tahoe where one got more bang for their buck and the atmosphere was genuinely friendlier. If and when I return to Vegas it will be to stay way off-strip (The M, The Rampart,The Suncoast...etc) and also as a hub to get me to Reno or Palm Springs which is also a fun destination.

That they found out they can STILL make $$ by squeezing the marks..no matter how few show up. When business improves...there's even LESS incentive to loosen up. That horse has left the barn..and the barn has BURNED.  What little leverage the public had, has been shown to be no leverage at all. "You'll take it and like it"  Is Vegas now.  

Online gaming and sports betting - We have previously came to Vegas for March Madness every year for about 20 years. This year since Indiana has sports betting we stayed home and made far more bets they during Vegas trips as there is no line to bet on my computer or phone. We still love coming to Vegas but probably won't come for March Madness again.

This has been a theme for a while, but Vegas doesn't care about the low-rollers anymore.  It was heading that direction that before the pandemic hit, but now it's completely in the endgame.

I used to get comps for free rooms during off-times in the year (summers, pre-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas), but this year, nothing, zero.

I used to come to Vegas roughly 4-6 times a year, but these lack of comps tells me Boyd doesn't give half a crap about my business, and when you combine it with all the other factors already mentioned above, my trips to Vegas will essentially be a thing of the past.

Instead of driving 3 hours to Vegas, I can just drive an hour to any number of Indian casinos near me if I need a quick gambling fix.

Vegas used to have it all Food, Booze, Gambling and Entertainment. If you want to know why Atlantic City was never the destination that Vegas was - it was because the food sucked, and lack of Entertainment. I expected AC to dry up once PA and other NY locations introduced gambling. 

Slots are the real money maker for Vegas. The younger generation grew up playing Xbox and Playstation, spinning symbols generate little interest to the GEN21 crowd. Its mom and dad motorhome that is the bread and butter, its the 30 something escaping midweek with his mistress dejour on a "business trip" - pricing rooms, food, clubs, etc sky high is going to drive business elsewhere. For the gamblers practically every state has a casino. At $250 plus for good tickets you have to really want to see a show. For the partiers you can head off to NewOrleans, eat drink and party in the french quarter with free street music, a couple of casinos in the area if you must gamble. 

The nail in the coffin is found in the answer to this question: “Are we having fun, yet?” Newcomers who never experienced Vegas like the majority of us have over the years can enjoy themselves; however, Vegas has lost it flavor and favor for many of us because of all of the above. Personally, “The Thrill Is Gone!” 

All is true and have been present for decades. The nail in your coffin is the corona virus with the masks and social distancing. There is no scientific evidence that masks prevents viral disease. They originated 100 years ago in hope of preventing TB. People are tired of mask inconvenient etc ex on bank of 8 machines only 1/2 are playable due to social distancing. Your problem is corona and ignorant governors who enjoy their power. I live Vegas   I came there every 2?months before the corona viral outbreak that is equilevent to annual flu virus. Yes corona kills people. So does flu. Our federal health agency got 960 mil for corona research. You ask when Vegas would return to normal. Liberals in power talk of new normal. Is this the new normal for Vegas? If it is start putting nails in. Some states push back namely fl and Texas  does gov live Vegas??no!!!! Your answer is there.  

The biggest threat to Vegas?
Kevin Lewis
LOL
Sorry Kevin, Just joking.

The biggest threat is casino consolidation that brings an end to the competition that has given visitors so many bargains.
That;s my answer, and I'm sticking with it.

Las Vegas was built on the premise that being the only place to gamble would mean they could base nearly everything around people coming from all over to leave a lot of money there. Those people, often mocked for it, have now learned they don't have to do that. Your list shows why. Means that NV has to be able to find other business that will come here and support the revenue and job loss that the casinos generated. Good Luck with that. 

I have to say Dr. Jerry is really learning how to eloquently put his thoughts to words: “Some states push back namely fl and Texas does gov live Vegas??  no!!!! Your answer is there.” He’s graduated to 3rd grade level. 

Will the younger generations find Vegas as exciting as we Baby Boomers did back then, and still do (though angry about the aforementioned issues)?  We BB's didn't exit the womb clutching smart phones, hypnotized by social media.  Vegas is familiar to us; mob lore (we roam where Lefty once did--ooh); the 'offer' game (comps); mind-numbing machine or table game play.  In our day we couldn't wait to come back after that first visit.  Will Gen Z'ers feel this way after their first?  Will Vegas have to become LA to sustain that traffic?  Or will they "become your parents" as in that insurance add on TV?

Candy

Once upon a time, you had a budget for Las Vegas. You could (generally) fly in cheaply (and I'm from the UK, and I did it from here too). Room rates were low - in some cases, inconceivably low. There were no resort fees. The food was very cheap - unless you wanted high end. Buffets were amazing value - for $10-15 for the evening meal.  You could play at low rates - and did. You were comped drinks. You left thinking you'd been treated well, had a great stay, and promised to yourself you were  booking your next stay as soon as you got home. NOW - flights aren't so cheap. Room rates are off the charts. And then you get  resort fee on top (the resort fee often being more than you use to pay for that very same room).  It's much harder to get free drinks for play. Eating is now the same as in any high end restaurant elsewhere. Buffets are now as expensive as a room once was. You end up going home feeling you've been nickel and dimed. THAT'S Las Vegas' nail in the coffin. Your perception. 

since everything has been mentioned,  for me to stop going, will be the lack of low minimum BJ tables ($5) plus the move to 6:5 on those tables.  
for 3:2 odds at $15 I can stay at home and play locally.  corporate greed is just so evident in everything that is happening in Vegas.  The days of an entertaining vacation for a good value are gone

Even with a new New Deal promised, the war on the middle class has created a population in deep debt, increasingly homeless, and with few prospects for the younger generations. Maybe they should trade out casino chips for Soylent Green crackers.

Personally I don't think Vegas will ever not be a destination that people want to go to. There's so many different forms of entertainment and types of lodging/relaxation, plus conventions and meetings that even if people don't come primarily for the gambling they will still come. I've been coming to Vegas since the early 90's, and yes it has changed beyond comprehension, and lots of good things are no longer there. But there are and will always be plenty of reasons why Vegas is my number 1 destination for multiple trips per year. My additive would be "There are not enough nails to ever make Las Vegas be a non-destination for the masses to fulfill some fantasy".

Nothing (not even a pin) will end the Vegas mystique.  Where else can you go that you don't have to bend over to get goosed ?  

It has already been mentioned in one form or another but let’s just call it what it is....CORPORATE GREED !!!

I agree with Donzak.  A lot of the listed items can be put under that “umbrella”.  “Greed” could be its own category on the list and encompass quite a few items

First ease of gamboling in other stats as some have mentioned. But I would say it is not one thing it is a combo.  You can loose a little but when the whole thing is gone and it is just another place to go and spend money you have a problem.  

Resort feeze and paid parking.

Before i retired one of the responsibilities of my job was National sales meetings and trade show management.  Published" rates used to go out the door if you were guaranteeing 100 - 300 room nights (bringing 75 attendees to a hotel for 4 nights = 300 room nights.)  Even 50 room night commitment gave you leverage, particularly in the low and mid range properties.  you could negotiate a LOT, very discounted room rates, food and beverage discounts,etc. Most of this was before resort fees kicked in.  

If the large corporations start to play hardball on these extras, trade association members will raise a stink.While trade shows are UP TO couple years out, I can guarantee that the association will take action and not go back.  I HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN..  There are WAY too many alternatives.  Likewise in the case of company sales meetings, management will do the same, except a lot faster.  Often in a matter of weeks, a new venue can be set up, particularly if you are working 6-9 months out 

I kind of lean toward de-theming, but I don't think that it's quite accurate.

It's more just general blandness. Derek Stevens is the primary culprit. The D was the first step in blandness, but Circa is a whole level of boring.

Aria, Cosmopolitan, Wynn, Encore---none of them ever had themes but they stunning in their attention to detail and impressive scope.

Lucky Dragon was themed but stunningly drab.

I'm afraid that Resorts World will fall more on the side of The D, Circa, and Downtown Grand.

My pet peeve is by far is charging for parking.  If I am staying at one casino hotel, but I want to go to another one, then I have to pay again at the other casino.  Even though I would be considered a low-roller, I still played table games and VP (and Video BJ with good rules).  Pulling up to the valet parking at no charge (except the tip) made me feel like a king.  That's all gone now.  My next biggest turn-off is resort fees.  I wouldn't mind it it was optional in exchange for the services it supposedly covers, but I don't use them.  In my opinion, what resort fees are really all about false or misleading advertising.  The advertised room rates can't be had unless the resort fees are paid,  so any advertisement of room rates should include the resort fees instead of listing them as a separate charge.  The lack of $50 buffets doesn't really affect me, but the lack of moderately priced restaurants and meal deals does. Now I can't afford to go 4X per year like I used to do...

This all began some time ago. When most casinos were sole proprietorships, the owners understood one basic concept: all that matters is that the joint makes money. The bean counters, however, insist that every "department" turns a profit--down to and including the restrooms. The corporate suits don't understand that providing good deals is actually the optimal strategy.

Thus, the consolidation of Vegas casinos into four or five megatoilet corporations is the nail in the coffin.

My only vote is for Caesars Entertainment or whatever the current alias is and their unregulated Diamond Lounge carrot. It looks good but it is a carrot on a stick with a string attached. You can never get to the carrot!

I agree with the many others. The overall price/corporate greed will be the end of Vegas.

Beside the nickel and diming, without the themes Vegas does not offer much I can't get at my local casinos beside the vibe. And even the vibe is dying with the other issues on the list.