How Is the New Virgin Las Vegas Doing?

Could you bring us up to date on how the new Virgin (former Hard Rock) Casino Hotel is organized and how well it is doing now that tourists are returning to Vegas?

It’s rub-a-dub-dub three men in a tub at Virgin.

The hotel proper is part of Hilton’s Curio collection and managed accordingly. The casino is under the aegis of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, parent of the Mohegan Sun megaresort in Connecticut. What used to be The Joint is managed by Anschutz Entertainment Group. All divisions report to property President Richard Bosworth, Virgin’s ambassador to Las Vegas.

Were Virgin Las Vegas a typical Strip casino, it would be doing 25%-30% better than two years ago, despite 10% fewer customers. That’s what the statistics say. But because Virgin is privately owned (and tribally managed), it doesn't have to disclose its operating results.

Also, it's not a Strip casino. It's a bit off the beaten track, which renders it more of a destination casino than one patrons can stay at to be in the thick of the action or duck into on the way to other places on the Strip or downtown.

Which is why, in our visits to the place, we've found it -- the casino, especially -- to be mostly quiet. Noticeably absent, for example, is a sports book. The planned operator, UK-based Betfred, isn't licensed to operate in Nevada, and with Nevada casinos reporting an all-time record handle of $1.1 billion in October, Virgin management is on the outside, looking sadly in.

For another anecdotal impression we turned to VitalVegas blogger Scott Roeben, who has been on the Virgin saga like white on rice.

“Well, there's a definite disconnect between what the resort says and what people observe when they visit. A top executive reports that business is strong and Virgin has booked more rooms and events for 2022 than ‘the best year of Hard Rock.’ I take them at their word, but that doesn't speak to soft business in 2021, which appears to be the case anecdotally,” Roeben writes.

“A lot of hopes were pinned on convention business (with a particular interest in female business travelers), but that's yet to return full strength. As with many things during the pandemic, it's difficult to differentiate COVID challenges from ongoing ones.

“The theater is open. Can't say they're really knocking the talent out of the park, though. Bigger names could help draw more gamblers. The restaurants are fairly strong. I've been told the sports book should be licensed in January.”

It seems to us that, unlike Hard Rock, which had a built-in customer base, Virgin will have to find its market. It's also likely that it will, eventually. But again, since it's private and results are proprietary, whatever "evidence" is out there will be based on hearsay.

Get a good look at the casino from our YouTube Channel walking tour.

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

Luis Dec-17-2021

I don't think so...

Void of all theming, every thing that made Hard Rock fun, Virgin is trying for a more "modern take", but with higher prices, less fun, and a not so good surroundings, I don't think this place is what it has to be to bring patrons to their place. more de theming, more greed, less fun, just sterile, gambling places with no other  entertainment value ( and I'm not talking about star entertainment). That's the tendency in most "modern resorts", and that's the problem I see in the future and that's what the corporate guys see, that's why they are selling of their properties and just managing them, when the money runs out, they run away with no properties to hold them down. There has to be a change on that tendency, bring back buffets, theming, fun for all, not just the "hip, young crowd", don't destroy the resorts.

Dave_Miller_DJTB Dec-17-2021

weird marketing

I recently got a mailer from Mohegan Sun. The return address was Vegas. The player ID number above my name was from the Hard Rock's Backstage Pass (player club) database.

The only message/caption on the 'cover' of this fold out was "The Thrills of Vegas, Closer to Home!" I live in New Jersey, so, yeah, their locations in Connecticut and Pennsylvania are indeed closer to home than their new Las Vegas location.

But the inside photos and captions discuss the CT and PA locations in a manner that suggests I love their Vegas location, but am unaware that the other locations even exist.

The reality is, I love the CT location, am unimpressed with the PA location, but have not been to the Las Vegas location since it opened. In fact, I only knew that they have a location in Vegas because I'm a Vegas nerd. My wife was unaware at the time.

Why not use their CT database to let me know that they have a new Vegas location?

It's as if they're saying there is no reason to come to Vegas.

Jetpilotrick Dec-17-2021

Bartop gaming

I miss the bartop gaming like they had at t to he Hard Rock. They only have one bar that has about six video poker machines in it and it’s always full.  They’re Mexican restaurant that I replaced the famous Pink Taco Mexican restaurant is now Casa Calavera. They have a large bar area but, no video poker machines.  Makes it pretty boring to sit at the bar.  It used to be very fun at the Pink Taco. You could eat, drink and gamble at the bar. Apparently it’s owned by the Lavo Group that doesn’t have a gaming license. They need to get that fixed if they want to get any of they’re old patrons back.  Miss the “Rock & Roll” vibe that the Hard Rock certainly had. The Virgin is a bit sterile and boring.

Larry Stone Dec-17-2021

Boring

I visited this casino last October.  I agree with the other comments that this place is boring and has very little appeal.

Sean Lowery Dec-17-2021

Virgin Casino

It's not as fun as Hard Rock was. Hard Rock was able to generate loyalty with some of us who love the 70's and 80's rock music.  It's a decent place to stay and hang out at - but nothing spectacular.  That's the problem for a place off the strip with poor gambling opportunities. Without a great difference maker, an off-strip place needs to find a way to cater to the locals.  Virgin is caught between a rock and hard place because it doesn't have enough going for it to be a destination place for any large demographic.

[email protected] Dec-17-2021

stay away

Virgins which runs the operations of the casino is horrible at doing it.For one Mohegan Sun(Pocono)in Pennsylvania which is run by the same outfit is really badly run,they are backwards and don't know the first thing about how to run a casino..The place is dirty and if you even think about winning look elsewhere cause its really bad.They have a sportsbook run by Unibet and it is as big as some living rooms in peoples houses.Earning rewards for comps are bad,and takes forever to build up.They barly have a lot of table games going and if they do they put the limits up high,making the smaller players left out.Of course all they have is 6 and 8 deck shoes for blackjack,but basically its a outfit to avoid.I can't speak for the one in Vegas,but from what i hear from friends they say stay awayfrom there

Ray Dec-17-2021

Our experience

Shortly after they opened, we were offered free room (The rooms are really nice), some food and free play. A few months later our offers are no longer free, in fact a bit higher than I'd like, with less incentive. This all tells me that they are doing okay. BUT, since they are run by separate entities, maybe the hotel is doing good, but who knows about the casino.

James Rupert Dec-17-2021

I misread the QOD

I thought the QOD said "How is the new Las Vegas virgin doing"? I wondered what happened to the old one and where this new girl had been living.  My bad.

Roy Furukawa Dec-17-2021

Not a Good Mix

Everyone knows Vegas is the last place to find a Virgin. 😜

rokgpsman Dec-17-2021

Virgin needs excitement

If you're a casino-hotel located off the Strip you'd better have something to attract people to go to the trouble to visit. That means something like good entertainment or loose slots or a popular dance club, maybe a nice bargain priced buffet. In short, you can't be a mediocre place and expect crowds to travel far to you. Either you're a locals place or you're a touristy Strip place.

Mel Rains Dec-22-2021

SLOOOOOW

Spent last Sunday night at the Virgin.  Rooms are very nice, but the casino is very slow!  All BJ is 3-2!!  2 Deck up to 8 deck shoes.  Restaurants are also very slow.  Nice place, but not many people.

Robert Hirst Dec-22-2021

I don't think so two

What makes you think it is likely it will find its market?  I'm a local with lots of time and never thought about visiting since Virgin opened.  We had low-level status at Hard Rock, but got barely an offer when the new property opened.  We went to Circa because of the novelty, to Resorts World because of the experience and very much look forward to the re-opening of the Palms.  Absolutely no reason to visit Virgin especially without Pink Taco and a sportsbook.

Question of the Day - 17 December 2021

Comments