Will Vegas become a gambling town again?

I agree with fly guy. It will start out more gambling centered, and when things get back to normal or near normal. it will be right back to the old ways . There is simply too much money to be made off of the clubbers and foodies...

 

That’s a certainty, for both staffing and safety reasons. Some may not even communicate that it’s available upon request and only do it if a guest is adamant about it.

 

THIS is NOT the new normal!

By summer 2021, maybe sooner, Vegas will be back to what we remember!

 

Vegas will "return" to whatever it does that makes these corporate giants the max amount of coin. Visitors are simply pawns on their chess boards. We like to convince ourselves that hosts think we're the best thing since sliced bread and of course the folks running it all have no desire to fleece us for all they can. Vegas is a mass delusion and that's a good thing for us who like to go there.

Vegas offers something that every other gambling destination lacks: Vegas. That's it. We've heard the mantra about Native American casinos and gambling going nationwide for a very long time now, and you know what, all that availability did about zero-point-zero to Vegas' visitation ledger. Actually, when you think about it, when gambling went more mainstream it probably opened up Vegas to a lot of folks who previously looked the other way.

 

God I hope not! Too many places around the US have been just gambling joints. IMO, that’s part of the reason Atlantic City hasn’t been able to keep their edge, they needed to adapt like Vegas did. Last I read, only 18% of the city’s casino revenue comes from gambling losses. With casinos and legalized sports betting popping up everywhere, I think it’s critical that LV becomes even more of a diversified tourist destination to keep it going at a high level.

 

Excellent post! Completely agree!

 

I wonder how much will depend on the 'early returns', reviews coming from those heading back first.

I'm a midweek, low-rolling craps player; no hosts in my future. Las Vegas for me is $5 craps with another table 100 yards away.

If I get reports of higher table minimums, reduced space available at the tables (I travel in a group of 4-5), lines at bars and restaurants, widespread mask requirements, I'll save the airfare.

 

I think I speak for many people that when Vegas opens back up if things are more expensive and we're getting less in return, I'll spend my money elsewhere. It would behoove the casino resorts to take more pain now for long term gains when things dissipate rather than, paradoxically, trying to get more out of less people now in order to play catch up. Short sighted thinking by the casinos insofar as being cheap to the few customers who will initially come back will only screw them in the long run, especially given the initial returning customers are gamblers who expect comps and the ability to give action for a reasonable return at a reasonable price.

Remember, this isn't a supply and demand issue where shorter supply makes higher demand and as a consequence, you can pinch the customers with fewer goodies and higher limits. It doesn't work that way when there's substantially less people with disposable income to go in the first place, as well as many people are down right afraid to go. The real unemployment rate is 25%, and underemployment near 30%. Don't you think that a sizeable portion of the casual Vegas-goes is probably within that metric?

 

Not sure how far it will ‚return‘ as gambling isn‘t the revenue bringer it used to be. I remember reading about 30% is from gambling at best nowadays.

To put it in words of a host I spoke to: once they built hotels and restaurants around the gaming pit, nowadays they build casinos around the hotels and entertainment venues and conference centers.

 

I wish that would happen. Bring back great odds, easy comps, sweet action!

 

Thanks.

Now the only question is will I ever see another show at LVCC?

 

I'm going to be welded to the slot machines for 2 weeks in November, so will do my part to make it a gambling town wherever I am. Planning to halve stakes so my bankroll can withstand it, but also double tips so the good guys/girls get their share.

Might mean I have to pay for more of my stay in 2021, but I'll live with that as I never got a comp outside myVegas until 2017/18

 

This is only my opinion, but I think it’s not going to be the Vegas we all know and love till 2022. Even if they open up clubs shows, and sports next year, there will probably be some strict restrictions and it will be hard to get large crowds short term. I do think the tables will shun red chip players, and the higher end casinos shun the green chip players, at least short term. I’m planing a trip June 17-23rd, but I’m going to wait till last minute to see how things go. I’m sure there will be some trip reports by then. It will be interesting to see what happens with football, will it happen at all, will it be empty stadiums? Time will only tell.

 

Elon Musk's Boring Company completes second tunnel in Las Vegas

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-musks-boring-company-completes-115243008.html

 

Hornbuckle (MGM CEO) said on a Today Show interview that they see 3 buckets of visitors for the reopening: 1) those that will come out immediately; 2) a group that they will need to convince & 3) a crowd that will be in “wait & see” mode (probably coming back next year - his words). I think that implies there will be more favorable offers (for group 2 above) but it might not come immediately as they work the reopening kinks out. They don’t need to incentivize group 1.

Edit: there was a thread on updated MGM offers where the large majority of respondents said there was no change from their previous offers. This supports my theory that MGM has no current plans to incentivize group 1. Who knows. I hope I’m wrong.

I think MGM’s approach will be thoughtful & measured. They’ve said they will open casinos 2 at a time. They said that the first two might be Bellagio & the tiny NYNY, which covers a broad spectrum of gamblers. They’ve sent out surveys to MLife members to gauge their likes & dislikes.

I think whatever favorable changes are made will be things that they can easily unwind as business gets back to normal or acceptable levels. After all, these are the folks that brought us 6:5 BJ, paid parking & resort fees because it probably didn’t have any negative impact on their business. We bitched about it but still came back to Vegas. Just random thoughts from a guy on VMB.

 

Vegas WAS a the gambling capital. Then it slowly threw in some entertainment. Then it threw in some more hotels. Then it.....

Do red chip and green chip players matter? Yes.

Every day that goes by....Less and Less.

 

Is Basher running the equipment?

 

I don't think that will be the case the next 18-24 months, when no club goers, foodies, show attendees, convention gatherers and the like show up. At that point, gamblers betting $25-50 a hand at blackjack tables will have some, not much but some, more say in what they want in return for their action and they'll get it or somewhere else will give it to them if Las Vegas does not.