What is the Las Vegas Live Entertainment Tax (LET)?

I recently went to the Australian Bee Gees show. It was very good. Looking at the ticket stub, I discovered I paid an "LET" fee and a hefty Ticketmaster fee. Just what is LET? Does Ticketmaster get a piece of every ticket sold in Vegas?

[Editor's Note: The fascinating evolution of live-event ticketing -- from printed cash-only tickets through Ticketron's first automated ticketing system up to Ticketmaster's current $7-plus billion in annual sales and its unexpected competition from upstart UNLVTickets -- is just one of the scores of stories about the live-music business in Vegas and beyond told in our new book, Rock Vegas--Live Music Explodes in the Desert.]

"LET" is the acronym for Live Entertainment Tax. The state rakes 9% out of every live-event ticket sold and the show passes that on to the fan.

The rest of the "hefty Ticketmaster fee" is a service charge, which is split differently depending on the artist, venue, promoter, and ticketing company. Ticketmaster, owned by Live Nation, is the dominant ticket company in Vegas, but it's not the only one. The other, AXS, is owned by AEG Presents.

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

Deke Castleman Jul-14-2017

Journey

This comment was emailed directly to us:

"Traveled to Vegas back in May and bought 2 tickets on line thru Axis in Dec. to see Journey @ the Hard Rock. Tickets were the premium type 1st row center balcony @ $199 a piece. Followed the ticket price for a while and noted the seats next to me had dropped to $179 each. A month before the show the seats next to those two had dropped to $159 each and so on. Contacted the Hard Rock for an $80 credit and they basically said “tough luck” as the promoter controlled the ticket prices! How’s that for customer service? Just left an overall bad taste – show was excellent but way too loud for a small venue!"

Question of the Day - 12 July 2017

Comments