Question of the Day - 10 March 2025

Everything that used to be good about Vegas is gone, and deliberately so. But that wouldn't have worked if the casinos hadn't worked so diligently to blot out the memory of those good things by a) focusing on the cornhole rubes who just want to get drunk and piss away money and not only don't care about value, but can't even spell the word; b) kicking in the nuts the loyal customers who have been shocked and saddened by the loss of all those good things.

So they now have a clientele that doesn't miss things like no resort fees, free parking, and good value eats. Not to mention decent gambling at moderate stakes. Vegas is now nothing more than a party town for goobers and bozos with too much cash and not enough brain cells.

There may have been quite a few choices in the poll, but the most tragic losses should have dominated the results. The fact that it was spread out so evenly indicates that the vast majority of Vegas visitors, including, sadly, most LVA subscribers, are...rubes.

I was a teenager in the sixties. Recently I was talking to a woman my age,75 and a woman  55 yoa. I commented about women burning their bras in demonstrations. The older woman smiled and nodded in agreement. The younger was confused and asked why would women want to burn their bras. Younger people simply don’t know things were better before their time in Vegas as they pay for parking and resort fees. Eventually I think drinks won’t be free either. The actuaries are watching their casinos in other states charging ridiculous prices for alcohol saying it’s state law forcing them to do so.

Donzack is right. California tribal casinos love to hide behind the California law that doesn't allow free drinks. However I don't think the law states you have to change 10 bucks for a Bud Lite. They also never mention that the casinos were an illegal operation until the voters approved legalizing them.

Judging from my last trip, I'll guess that 'free' drinks in the casino might stay a while, because the prices of cocktails ordered in their restaurants have been raised by at least $1-$2.

As for things missed, though not sure I ever will return to Circus Circus, I remember way back (1978-9) when the overhead acrobatics in there were actually delightful to newby Vegas visitors such as myself.

Candy

OLD AGE , 8 IN THEIR 80S ,ARE CALLING IT QUITS . LEAVE THE STRIP , to the young rich people . We stay downtown , less walking , will try UPPER MICHIGAN FOR CASINO GAMBLING . Will miss seeing  ANTHONY  ,when we picked up our books. gone are - gee joons,b'fast at binions horseshoe , $2 steak dinners , GN breakfast buffet , great moments at LVC, GG DELI, BEFORE DUPARS CAME IN ,SECOND STREET GRILL , WAITER BIG TONY , PASTA PIRATE , daily specials at PALACE STATION , PULLMAN GRILLE MAIN STREET STATION , WESTWARD HO - MGR.BILLY BUCK , GRUB STEAK COOKOUT -SERVING 600 HUMANS , BINIONS HORSESHOE -8-10 CRAP TABLES FULL, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST - LOUIE PRIMA , KEELY SMITH SAM BUTERA --FREE A LOUNGE ACT . WOW .THANK GOD I HAVE MY MEMORIES -- STILL. .

Donzack, so true about young people not knowing what it was like long ago. Bring up the names Fred and Ethel, they just give you a blank stare.

KL: really? "Vegas is now nothing more than a party town for goobers and bozos with too much cash and not enough brain cells." We will make our annual trek the week after NFR, staying downtown at the GN. The Nugget ain't what it used to be, but it's still a nice property. While there, we'll play a ton of nickel VP at the Four Queeens, make an LVA coupon run (or two), get our airfare bonus at the El, and eat good food at Pizza Rock, Binion's cafe', and Viva Las Arepas. We'll have some beers at Atomic Cafe'. We will probably catch a show at Myron's, one of the nicest venues and best deals in town.

Your premise is not completely wrong--plenty of the things I loved about Vegas 25 years ago are gone forever. But I still love the place, and I get good value there for my vacation dollar. And I have the Las Vegas Advisor to thank for much of that value.

Hyperbole has its place. So does the story of Chicken Little. 

I remember thinking how odd the poll results were because, if I remember correctly, we were allowed to vote for as many items as we wished to. I voted for no resort fees, free parking, and buffets along with a dozen other great things from the past. If this is true, no resort fees should have gotten a vote from every person who voted.

I think you may need to redo the math and apply percentages based on total number of voters, not votes.

Rerun the poll restricting everyone to one vote.

This will be a much better picture of what is really missed for days gone by.

I met Jessica Roe years ago when there were actual LVA member "meets" set up someplace, and often at least one staff member would attend.  That was fun.  I think it generated more attendance at those meets, knowing or hoping someone from LVA would be there.

Candy 

Another question ? Are we having fun yet?!!!  You know, I remember going to Disney World when one could book a room in the big 2 or 3 hotel properties for $44 per night. I also remember buying a book of E tickets which were expensive back in the day. Common mid-class families can’t jump up on Thursday night and decide to spend the weekend on the property of Disney World. Most have to budget for 12 months for a short stay nowadays …just like in Vegas. Are some of us “the walking dead” in the comments? Everything changes unless one is dead as a door knob. To die is really the only thing that have to do in life. So you don’t have to go Vegas! Period!

Some people (who must have been burnt by Vegas in their younger years), need to get over themselves, get a life and stop taking up valuable space in the LVA comment section! If only you were as "cute" as you think you are...

 In my 35+ years of visiting Vegas I have seen the changes, most of them negative. I now focus on the few choices left - (1) Downtown - the 4 Queens, (2) South Point - this is the best casino overall in Vegas. I get the MRB annually and use the coupons. I scour the Advisor for tips about values they discover. I have two different Veteran slot cards for Caesars and MGM properties which allow me to park for free. I know the other venues where I can park for free or cheaply when using the valet. I use my slot card(s) whenever I gamble and take advantage of offers. I always rent a car- cheaper then Uber/Lyft or a taxi and I can come and go whenever I want. I know where to eat cheaply and all of my rooms are fully comped because of my long time play. There are many other things I do which allow me to navigate and enjoy what Vegas has left to offer. The newer generations of Vegas visitors have no concept of how they are getting ripped off. Vegas is now a greedy overpriced corporate wasteland

If the poll had taken the percent of VOTERS instead of votes, the percentages would have been higher. There were 5000 votes, but most voters voted multiple times, so there may have only been 1000 total voters.

I would suggest doing another poll taking the top 10 from the results from the just completed poll and have people vote for only their top two choices they would like to see. You will than get a much better idea from the results. 

yes, things have changed.  Just means you need to keep your eyes open and know where to go for value and FUN!!!  it still exists, have been going since 1986--there is really no other place like it---you can make it what you want--just have your MRB handy and keep an eye and mind open to the infinite options that are around.  I do wish it was more like the old days----thee are things I truly miss---- but you can still make a great time.

Now of course it makes total sense that so many choices would result in tiny percentages for all. Maybe next time, break up the poll into four categories, grouping the choices by general similarity (e.g., hotels/businesses, prices/fees, attractions, misc.)… That method would give everyone a chance to vote on everything of interest, while still giving us more interesting percentages. Thanks for doing these polls. I’m always happy to see them. 

If a person has status with the casino they don’t pay for parking or resort fees. It’s hard to miss something you never lost…