Bringing my 20 year old son..

Planning a trip later this summer where we'll be bringing our son and his girlfriend along to see a few shows. I know that 21 is the age at which gambling is allowed -- but what about to be on the casino floor, or behind me for a period of time? (NOT that I necessarily want him seeing how I bet sometimes, as then he'll be asking for a new TV, computer, or video card!)

 

I went to Vegas when I was 12 and 20, and then many times when I was of the legal age.

He cannot stand behind you, he can walk through the casino, but must keep going. He will be questioned and asked to keep moving if he stops.

For me, I wasn't much of a drinker at 20, so I didn't mind it. I went to the rides at The STRAT , saw shows, walked outside, took a tour of the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. So I'd suggest that, but if I were to know the Vegas I know now, I'd be pretty upset if I couldn't gamble/drink.

 

As far as standing behind you, I'm young-looking enough to get carded often, and tend to roll through Vegas with some gamblers and some who just like to watch. The watchers usually come and stand behind me when I sit down, and I've seen them carded many times. My impression is that anyone standing around a table game, even if not playing, stands to get carded.

 

Anyone can walk through a casino, but stopping is another issue. Once you stop it is implied you are gambling. (that is the way I interpret it.)

Some places are more stringent than others. Here is what I have seen over the years.

One time 3 young kids (no one older than 9) saying they were looking for their parents and the security guard made them get off the casino floor.

Another time I seen a kid standing by their parent playing a slot machine and no one stated anything.

Even saw other underage kids get in trouble for taking a short-cut through the casino and one of the floor people stated they had to stay on the path and couldn't cut through.

 

Yep, some(if not most most) have different flooring on what is considered the walkway than what is considered the gaming areas(stone/tile vs carpet). My nephew is 22 and can't look at a table/slot machine without getting carded. Here's a link to Vegas.com for more ideas for the under 21 group http://www.vegas.com/traveltips/guide/crowd.html

 

yeah, he won't be able to skate by unless he looks really old. hell, my wife's almost 30 and last trip they actually carded her in the HL room at MGM just sitting next to me watching for a few minutes. i've never seen anything like that before, really. she didn't have her ID on her so she had to go back up to the room and get it.

 

Thanks all! Perhaps I won't be "owing" him an $800 video card (or similar) upon our return!

He's like me... looks younger than his years. You should have seen the looks I used to get working in a liquor store when I was 18... looking all of 16! Though some of the older (relative term here - perhaps 3-5 yrs diff.) girls working there kind of liked that for some reason...

Well, I am sure she was put off a bit by having to go back and get it, but probably at the same time she was somewhat pleased (women)!

 

My 3 nephews have been going to vegas since they were 11,12 and 14.now they are 17,18 and 20.last October the 17 and 18yo went on our trip,and my 18yo nephew basically shadowed me the whole trip while I was playing slots.He was never carded once nor was he told to get off the casino floor.Actually every time the CW came over they always asked him if he wanted a cocktail(of course I said no).

But he has been told he looks older.After he turned 18 we went to an indian casino,and they didnt card him,but they carded my 20yo nephew, I asked the security guard why,and he said he thought he looked at least 24.In vegas every time my 17yo nephew wandered into the casino he was immediately told to stay in the middle walkway.

Also my 18yo nephew was growing out his facial hair at the time,that probably helped.

 

...but was still breaking the rules with the assistance of a family authority figure.

 

Absolutely,I took full responsibility if they would have said something,that would have been the end of it.
I know it can be boring for a teenager whos 18-20,especially when everyone is gambling.

 

He should be able to gamble if he want's, play the slots(or tables), if they ask for ID, he should say he left it in the room, or something like that, they'll just tell him to leave. Drinking is a little dicerer, but if he want's to try the same strategy, it will work until it doesn't.

I know I was gambling in vegas at age 20, way back in the day.

 

Well, he is not interested in drinking - we let him have a Corona and a margarita in Cozumel during a cruise for his 18th B-day. He finished neither of them, and (says at least) that he did not care for it - the feeling or taste... the taste part especially does not surprise me!

On that same cruise he gambled (18 is legal @ sea) and lost, lost, lost. So that does not interest him much either!

So far... so good!

 

I went to Vegas last September on my 21st birthday and would wander through several casinos, the only time I was actually carded is when I sat down and placed a bet.