Question of the Day - 30 December 2017

For those not familiar with Brian Christopher and “Vegas Low Roller,” they're guerrilla videographers who film slots in action, sometimes as much as 12 minutes at a time, at a wide range of casinos not confined to Las Vegas. They're pretty brazen and have compiled, on separate YouTube channels, literally hundreds of slot machine video clips.

This behavior doesn't exactly meet with the approval of all casinos.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, for instance, doesn't allow videotaping on its casino floor.

MGM Resorts International takes a slightly more flexible approach, OK’ing personal photos and “short videos within public spaces.” Whether a Vegas Low Roller instructional video qualifies as “short” is a subjective matter, although we think they’re pushing the envelope of what’s permissible. Table games are strictly off-limits. Other restrictions include: “No photos or filming specific to an event. No live broadcasts (Snapchat, etc.). Respect others’ privacy. If someone does not want to be filmed … please stop,” says MGM spokeswoman Yvette Monet. As for conducting a professional shoot, videographers are directed to MGM's Public Relations Office.

MGM’s policy is not nearly as complex as Boyd Gaming’s, which is multifaceted, to say the least. “Generally speaking, we do not allow individual customers to shoot video on the casino floor,” says Boyd spokesman David Strow. “We do allow photography, but only of the patron and their family members. (For example, you can take a picture of yourself, but not of the random customer sitting next to you.) The one exception to this rule is if state gaming regulators don’t permit photographs on the casino floor; if a state doesn’t allow it, we won’t allow it.”

TV programs, movies, and documentaries have to go through Boyd’s marketing department to gain access. They also have to clear several hurdles, including a location agreement that describes how the footage will be used, providing a certificate of insurance and, in some cases, ponying up a location fee. Says Strow, “this depends on how much disruption the filming request would cause, and how much brand exposure comes with it.” 

News crews go through the Media Relations department and don’t have to meet the requirements mentioned above. However, the granting of filming permits “really depends on the context and how disruptive the request would be.” In other words, a news crew descending on The Orleans during a slot tournament would probably not be welcome. And unless you’re just shooting a picture of yourself or a buddy, a company escort is required during all on-site filming. In sum, Vegas Low Roller and Mr. Christopher would probably meet with a frosty reception at a Boyd property.

The same is true at Las Vegas Sands. “Except in rare instances, we do not allow filming on our casino floors,” says LVS spokesman Keith Salwoski.

It's quite a different story across the street at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore. "Guests are allowed to film their own slot play with personal devices," says spokesman Yentl Lieuw.

Not so at Caesars Entertainment properties, where we were told that videotaping is strictly forbidden.

Though constructing a list of the videotaping policy of every property in Las Vegas is way beyond the scope of this answer, generally speaking, you’re taking a risk if you bring a videocamera, cellphone or otherwise, onto a casino floor here.