It looks like the tides are slowly changing in Las Vegas. Slowly but surely, the low-level gamblers are being pushed out to make room for greater profits. Yes, that’s right! Since it’s all about business, I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise. However, the way the casinos on the Strip are doing it might.
Higher Costs and Smaller Wins
It seems like lately, Las Vegas casinos have not only been charging visitors more to gamble, they have also made some adjustments that are reducing their chances of hitting that jackpot.
It’s a very interesting strategy, no doubt and one that might be missed by most. As the gambling and tourism industry in Las Vegas continues to boom, casinos are making it costlier to play and harder to win. The changes are, as expected, far from obvious. However, there’s no denying their existence, no matter how glamorous Sin City may come across.
The Las Vegas Strip is something different
It’s a Different Kind of Blackjack
Blackjack is one of the most popular casino games of all time, as well as my go to game whenever I’m in Vegas. Do you remember how In the good old days scoring a blackjack would pay out at a ratio of 3:2? For every $10 bet, you’d win $15.
Well, apparently things are changing on the Las Vegas strip. Today, many blackjack tables on the have shifted to a 6:5 payout ratio. So with that same $10 bet you would now only win $12. Hmm!
Making money in Vegas is tough enough as is but this makes it even harder for players to come out on top.
Blackjack tables in Las Vegas
More Than 75% of the Tables
According to Vegas Advantage, a Las Vegas data tracking company, has been following the trends since 2011. Recently they figured out aht more than ⅔ of all Blackjack tables on the Strip are offering the much worse 6:5 payout strategy. Fun, huh?
Here’s the Reason Why
Of course the casinos are already coming up with excuses for their sneaky moves. Blaming it on labor costs making table games more expensive to operate, they are reducing low-level bets, leading to fewer opportunities to play.
It’s Not Just Blackjack
If you thought Blackjack was the only game giving that extra squeeze, think again. A new era has begun at the Roulette tables as it is also going through a transformation. You have of course heard about single-zero and double-zero games. How about triple-zero? That’s right, folks!
In this “new and improved” version, the wheel is loaded with an extra slot with as many as 3 zeros. Clearly this has a huge impact on the house advantage, making it even more difficult for players to win.
Vegas player losses
Las Vegas Is All About Money
Like it or not, Las Vegas is all about making money and turning the city into a more upscale destination will bring in even more of it. In order to attract higher-value players, it means getting rid of some of the low-end ones.
Blackjack players lost nearly $1 billion to casinos on the Strip last year, the second-highest loss on record, after 2007, according to data from the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Tom Reeg, Caesars Entertainment CEO said it all in a statement:
“You’re bringing in higher value customers, and we’re already full. So, you’re kicking out the lowest end.”
Circa Las Vegas is one of the new hotels
Everything Is Getting Expensive
The casino floor isn’t the only place that is becoming more costly. Accommodation, concerts and restaurants are all charging more these days. How badly does it affect the numbers? Not at all apparently.
In fact, the casinos along the Strip pulled in close to $8.3 billion in gambling revenue in 2022, setting a record that exceeded pre-pandemic levels by more than 25%.
Visitors Are Starting to Notice
By making these subtle changes, it’s not easy to pick up on what’s going on. However, people are starting to notice that something is different. Lower odds and smaller winnings are being noticed, although it’s not easy to know exactly why.
Formula 1 is coming to Vegas
Las Vegas Is a Playground for All Ages
Despite this new information coming to the surface, Vegas is still Vegas and is an experience on its own, no matter how fortunate you are in the casinos. It’s definitely worth visiting at least once in your life. If you missed my article on what’s on some of the crazy things on the way in Vegas, just click here.
There’s only one Zero in Lightning Roulette
Online Is the Perfect Alternative
Knowing what’s taking place in Vegas, it’s only natural that players are looking for alternatives and what’s better than to play online. It’s as hot as it’s ever been and the payouts and odds are not being messed with.
Let me give you a few reasons why playing online is better:
- A Huge Selection of Quality Games – The variety is sensational so take your pick
- Convenience and Accessibility – Play whenever, wherever!
- Bonuses and Promotions – This speaks for itself
- Bet Levels – You can find games for whatever bet level you are comfortable with
- Stay Anonymous – Nobody needs to know who you are
There’s No Place Like Online
While traveling to Las Vegas will always be appealing for a lot of reasons, if gambling is what you are looking for, an online casino is a way better option.
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