You are absolutely correct..I went for my first time last month and it didn’t felt like a vacation at all..horrible experience..Barely had any money to get home
Resort fees are there to lower kickbacks to third party booking sites. The room price comes out the same. If you're going to rip on them, please at least explain them.
I’m sick of being hassled by drug addicts and homeless people. I was just there 2 days ago and was asked countless times for money while playing a slot machine. It’s not sad , it’s annoying
The fact that I paid $5 for a glass of iced tea and the waitress never even came by to offer a refill clued me in right quick to the fact that Vegas has priced me out.
Just returned from a business trip. Stayed at TI, I would normally have several coupons and I would take advantage of a couple of them, only had one "yard drink " coupon from senior frogs. Like bruh, I'm from L.A. I'm not gonna ever walk around with one of those drinks anywhere. I don't want to look like a dip ****. I normally stay in downtown Fremont area when I go for personal Vegas gambling trips. But at the same time, I prefer Tahoe for a trip as in the winter during the day I can hit slopes and summer time do hikes and boating stuff and enjoy the gaming in the night time.
I'm Canadian and love Vegas and used to visit 2 to 3 times a year pre pandemic. Went back in Sept 2022 and I don't see myself going back anytime soon. Everything's become overpriced and overly marketed. When for about the same price or maybe 10% more (with everything in, flights, hotels, resort fees, cover charges, meals, entertainment, cab / uber rides, etc) you can travel overseas and visit a major European city (and not do it on the cheap but pretty much the same level). Only advantage to Vegas now is that it's a quick flight and easy weekend trip, but I can't justify the value any more. I see most of my trips will be overseas in the future.
It wasnt great 14 years ago after the recession in 2008 since the Chinese started going more and more to Macau while Vegas hotels were begging for them to come back with deals. I was dating a Chinese girl and got a decent deal at the time. Got flights, massive hotel room at Venetian for 3 nights at 500USD. Customer service was horrendous then. I cant imagine it now. Lineups everywhere but the hotels were empty. I wont even try to go back there. You can still fly cheap to Asia on Zip Air at less than 400$ from LAX.
I worked in Vegas for many years. Nowadays they bank on “Virgin tourists” meaning they prey on new customers and don’t care if you come back. It’s awful.
Why don't you go to other places in the states instead of Vegas if you have that kind of money? You feel like you have to leave North America just because Las Vegas sucks? I don't get it. Many of the typical places in Europe most people travel to have huge overtourism problems in the first place.
Was driving through Vegas a few days ago and was going to stay for the weekend until I tried booking a room. YIKES!! Doubled prices in less than one year. Hotels are usually cheap because they want you to spend money at the casino. In 2022, it’s pretty ridiculous and we will see it eventually humble. I skipped out on Vegas and went to AZ instead.
My sister goes to Wendover, NV with her husband. They always get a special package deal when they go. It's not Vegas, but they always have a good relaxing time. I'll have to ask her what her last trip was like.
Just returned from Vegas a few days ago. I can give a pass to the lack of employees because that is not a Vegas problem, it is occurring in most cities. The aggression of the criminals selling downloads of their music (formerly the cd sellers), ladies of the evening, drug dealers and even the limo drivers to strip clubs is the worst I've ever experienced. If you politely ignore them you are guaranteed to get followed and harassed way more aggressively than in past years. This was the first year I did not feel safe on the strip in certain areas at night. The increasing house edge, grossly increased table minimums and extra fees are exactly as Jacob describes--a way for the casinos to extract every penny you bring as quickly as possible. It is so obvious, the casino doesn't even try to hide its greed. I had a blast and came home with more money than I left with, but Vegas is definitely on the decline. Great analysis Jacob!!
People need to stop feeding the bums. I get that some folks just have this weird tendency to feel guilty about staying in a decent hotel and eating well, then seeing those guys in the streets, but that is life. Suck it up and move on. Don't encourage bad behavior.
The worst infestation on the strip imo is the photo models, coming up to you, trying to put you in handcuffs, trying to get you to take a picture with them and then guilt you into a big tip. They're SOOOOO aggressive. Not the guy models mind you, but the ladies. Coming right up to you and touching you, it's gross and borderline assault.
When I moved to Vegas in the early 90's the casinos were practically giving away food and drinks to get you in the door. The idea back then was to get you in the casino with cheap prices and they would make up for it in the casino. No parking fees, no resort fees, cheap rooms etc. back then. Someone in these big corporations keeps finding new ways of haggling money out of guests to pad their profit margin.
Yep, and the last time I went in November I didn't gamble at all, because prices had gotten so expensive I decided I'd be better off spending my $$ on food.
Yes In the 90's Vegas was kool very affordable 75 cent beers!..huge breakfast for real cheap steak dinners were cheap you could do a lot back then and have a lot of fun I lived it!.. 👍🏼
I have an uncle who lives in Vegas and he noticed the changes. They are not only screwing over and scaring away out of town tourists, they are turning off the locals too. He noticed the slots being very tight and comps are almost non-existent now. He no longer patronizes the casinos as a result.
@@Cmoney12m It doesn't mean people aren't winning. The games have been tightened up so fewer wins are happening. The casinos lost a lot of money during the Covid mess being forced to close for the first time ever so they are taking more and giving less back to the customers to make up for it.
As someone who's visited three times, once in 2015, 2019, and then this past October 2022, I was astonished at how much its changed. Not only unbelievably expensive but seeing how badly the pandemic wiped out all the smaller shop owners. The homeless, the drugs, the empty casino floors, it was a slap in the face for sure. Didn't go to any shows because they were astronomical in price, no deals to be seen for shows or tourist activities. The food prices was insane. Maybe will go back one day but not anytime soon unfortunately.
@@oldgoat50 I dont see an issue with someone having a sign like that other than parents who dont wnat to expose their children to nonsense like it. Certainly wouldnt cause me any issues.
@@oldgoat50 im 54 and not a snowflake. Signs with words on them dont make me think of the 'good ol days' when people were dragged out to the desert. As far as the way things are in the world right now, if I had a button that erased every human from the planet I wouldnt hesitate to push it.
@@donovanchildress6963 I agree. Last year was the first time I visited Vegas was last year. We stayed at the Luxor and from the top of the parking garage I looked west at the mountains. So I started looking on Google maps and saw Mt Charleston so I started looking on RUclips for videos about Mt Charleston. We came back at Christmas and drove up to the Spring Mountain Visitor Center where it was snowing. I think it's just over 6000 ft there. Now I went down the Kenny Veach rabbit hole and want to visit Desert National Wildlife Refuge. I find the desert a nice contrast to the mosquito filled swamps in my area.
I used to live in Vegas. I got out in 95. It was horrible when I left. I can only imagine all the nickel and dimming out there now. The big rip-off with the locals back then was getting repair work on your car. The mechanics would add on things and actually mess up your car to make you pay $100’s of dollars for car repairs. One guy who was a local pulled up with his sporty car and refused to let the mechanic work on his car unless he could watch them in the actual garage. They said to him, the customers can’t stay in the actual garage for insurance purposes. He got in his car and took off. There were gangs back then, along with homeless people and many crazy people. I met some really cool friends who worked with me in the casino but I’m glad I left. Vegas is one big ripoff. Most of the friends I made, moved back to their hometowns just like me. It’s very transit. Many times, a husband and wife would move to Vegas, only to have one stay and the other one go back home. I don’t recommend even vacationing there.
In the 2000s, the prevalent scam to new residents was the "AC Scam". Most people never run their AC outside of a few hours a month in other states. When you move to Vegas you basically run it any time you're in the car. This makes the condenser drain when you switch off your car after a while and a lot of new residents then panic seeing pools of fluid under their engine, thinking something blew. Many shady places will charge you hundreds if not thousands to "fix" it when it's normal operation of the AC system. They almost got me when I moved there but I was thankfully saved by a friendly email after I posted about it on CL.
I lived there from '91 to '96 and couldn't leave fast enough. That breakfast that costs you $50 nowadays back then cost $.99. And it was a good and filling breakfast.
Yeah, I was drawn there for the affordability and steady hotel jobs but learned so enough, Vegas is different when living there than vacationing for a weekend.
@@DrSchor Firstly, gambling is optional. Secondly, people who do gamble, would feel better about losing money gambling if they also weren't getting ripped off everywhere else and, maybe even got a good deal on meals, entertainment and accommodations.
@@DrSchor because gambling is a form of entertainment. I enjoy time spent at a good table with other folks and have met interesting people that way. As long as I lose money slowly enough, it doesn’t bother me because I specifically budget what I gamble. If you shaft me for $50/day in fees before I can even get to my room, that significantly cuts into what I’d be willing to play. A typical budget for me would be $150-$200/day, but now it’s closer to $80-$100 because of fees, which isn’t worth sitting down with $25 table minimums (vs $5 or $10 in days past).
@@DrSchor controlled dice shooter. they aren't ripping me off. the resort fee is a charge for stuff most if not all the people never use. that's the very definition of a ripped off.
I used to visit Vegas for sports betting. Now my home state offers sports betting. There really is no reason for me to visit Vegas. Whatever I can do in Vegas I can do at home now. And I don't have to pay those stupid fees.
Yeah, I just came back from Vegas a few months ago, and I was blown away by how expensive it is now. A cheeseburger cost me $18 at the Casino cafeteria. The CAFETERIA. A burger with the lot was $24. Last time I went, I could get a decent meal for $12. This story is repeated with just about everything else this time round.
Was there last month as well for my kids spring break. I couldn’t believe the costs. We stayed at the Mandalay Bay and two Icey drinks for my kids and one beer was 44.00. We did t go out to eat one time at the restaurants in the resort that didn’t come to 100 for the three of us. As a single dad I was thinking I might as well have went to Disneyland.
The travel industry as a whole is bad, not just Vegas...Look at what Disney has done, and people still pay, National Parks have gone self service and people go to them to dump trash...Vacations are tricky these days! There isn't a good answer to this, other then,book a hotel, go eat, swim, go home. God forbid if you attend a baseball game, concert etc, those people want All you Money! The Old Days are gone....
Not only is it a giant ripoff now in terms of pricing, its more dangerous outside of the hotels with the army of meth head homeless outside of every hotel demanding money the police can't contain... walking around outside of Cancun is a safer option.
Bro I live in Ireland. We are now the NO.1 most expensive country in EUROPE. 2 nights in a hotel in Ireland would cost 980 euro. 2 nights in Paris is 520. This country is ridiculous. I can only imagine what Vegas is like. The 100k Ukrainians that just landed definitely doesn't help as we are also in a housing crisis.
So sad to confirm that everything in Vegas now is a complete shameless ripoff. I have some great memories of epic fun trips from years ago. But now, it's all over. DO NOT GO TO LAS VEGAS. 😞
Atlantic City NJ 2006 (Tropicana and Caesar's) Boardwalk the "Projects" is worse than Vegas, with serial killer in the news, dumping hookers' bodies along main highway creek into A.C.
@@player6970 I first went in 1988. My best memories from probably from the late 90’s through until 2013. I last went in 2018 and still had a brilliant time even though it cost me more money. Quite a bit of that was down to the exchange rate. However, I figure out that you only live once
Went to vegas first time in 5 years last week. Everything in this video is true. - Parking your car at casino went from free to as much as $40 - Cocktail waitress drinks now half the size as before, in order to generate multiple orders for multiple tips - Resort Fees were higher than the hotel rate where i stayed - At resort pools about 90% of space is for cabana and daybed rentals which cost $40 - $100+ . Very few free loungers to lay down on, which all get taken quick and farther from pools. This used to be FREE now its a hustle. Shouldnt a lounger by pool be part of the RESORT FEES????? - Hustlers along the strip trying to get you to take their music CD's then pressure (or intimidate) you into giving them a donation for it - Costs for food are crazy everywhere along the strip, even the not so high end places. Example : A simple ham and cheese wonder bread sandwich plastic wrapped in the Flamingo sundry shop was $14!!!!! - Tips expected everywhere, even at counters where you order through a machine yourself and pick up your own food to sit in a food court. - Comps non-existant for mid-rollers now. Used to be easy to get a free lunch buffet or basic show tickets for someone playing regular $15-25 per hand blackjack. You mean squat now. - While not everywhere the pit boss and dealers I was playing at Harrahs and Linq were much less friendly than before. Seemed annoyed i asked for a player card to be generated and after waiting 25 minutes while playing and losing my bankroll doing so I asked how long the card would take and he got upset with me, and whole time the dealer barely said word to me ( i was only player at table). I didnt feel like waiting for that card and decided it doesnt matter Im not putting another nickel into that place so it doesnt matter. To be fair some of the higher end places did still have better atmosphere and value if you can afford it (Aria, Bellagio), but the Ceasars resorts were absolutely terrible (Harrahs, Linq, Flamingo)
I've got a trip planned and checked parking at my hotel. If I'd booked for a month later I'd have been hit with parking fees. Insane. I have a feeling this'll be my last trip to LV given that I don't like having to guard against being fleeced.
Because of war the prices are high everywhere , and those who were supporting the war are now paying for it. In UK in winter time the max one would pay for gas for 24 hours none stop heating for a single bed flat for a month around 50 pounds but when the war started it reached 250 pound per month.
Watch the CD salesmen, they have the same hustle in N.Y., figuring that a tourist won't listen to it until after he/she has flown home. Could be blank or just full of gobbledygook. 😁
Yes the ordering through a kiosk thing annoys the hell out of me. At some places now you can't use a credit card and talk to a cashier, you have to order through a kiosk. Then you are still expected to tip!
Truer words have never been spoken. Went in Oct 2020, free parking everywhere and everything was still obtainable. Returned in April ‘23 & couldn’t believe how expensive everything is. $25-$30 parking, no more free valet, food is up 3-4x the price and drinks, I’ll stay sober. My son chose the wrong time to move there bc now I’m stuck paying all this when I visit 😞
Sad but true. I've been to Vegas about 15 times over my 35 years on this planet. After my April 2022 trip I'm tapping out, I'm done. Spent about $3000 on meals and drinks for a 4 night trip. Adios Vegas!
Tienes razon amigo es un robo y la Fremont ni hablar ESO una de marguana q te duermen y los ladrones baratos en las calles yo no recomiendo ESTA calle yo vivo en las Vegas hace mucho tiempo y es una porqueria la drogas q hay y lo peor q los casino's como California, Fremont son unos ladrones y descriminan a los hispanos por no hablar Ingles
Jeezus I just went for a month and spent about $1000 on food and drinks, eating well and drinking more that I should have. That's on you, not Las Vegas.
@@MeMe-in8tj there's not a chance that you went out every night and ate at a restaurant for a month on $1,000... You're also not realizing I counted hotel and flights for 2 in my price lol. Even subway cost my wife and I 40 bucks there
You sure hit the nail on the head. I used to absolutely love going to Vegas. That was back in the day when the rooms, food, night clubs, and shows were very affordable and the streets weren't overgrown with tacky kiosks, food vendors, and homeless people. The resorts were well maintained and gorgeous, unlike today with countless homeless everywhere, cracked sidewalks, and paintless, dirty, worn down resorts. I now prefer staying off the strip and just go to the strip once or twice to see any new changes. I just feel that if I pay a ton of money I should get a clean room, well maintained resort, good customer service, a sense of security, and a homeless free entrance to my resort.
OFF THE STRIP is my mantra! You show me a person who likes (loves) Vegas off the strip and I'll show you a Vegas Veteran. I hang out at Gordon Biersch's (religiously), Bahama Breeze and Silver Sevens. Ellis Island too. Most of the time, I can't wait to get the hell off the strip. That's how we roll!!
@@MegaMkmiller same here. Eat, gamble and stay off the strip. Last 10 years I’ve stayed at the Platinum which is literally on the doorstep of Ellis Island. I can usually get a suite there for around the price of a regular room on the strip
I was there this year and it was a homeless dude laying on the corner, on top of a blanket, naked, eating chips… that shit is forever stuck in my head 🫣🤦🏾♂️😓
I'm in vegas right now and I totally agree with the increased prices, resort fees, and squeezing every penny out the tourist. Those girls that dress up in costumes on the street had asked me to take a picture then, told me a picture is based on donation and what ever you can give. After using my phone to take the picture, they tell me it was $90 for me and my two kids. I was pressured by the girls for $90, which I couldn't give anyway, but they ended out getting $25 from me. The girls said its unfair that only one girl gets 20 and the other gets 5 and they cant split the money in half or get change. The way they cornered me and constantly begged for an additional $20 i was caught off guard and didn't know what to say, i wasn't expecting this at all and definitely felt dumb. But the resort fee was $44.22 daily & that is ridiculous! Im here for 7 days and the hotel fee is almost 90% of the total of my room bill
That sort of aggressive panhandling is not only illegal, but it ruined the concept of costumed character photo posing on the Hollywood Boulevard sidewalks, not to mention Times Square, and of course the Vegas Strip. It was originally just a concept for those looking to make a little extra money by posing for tips, done typically by out of work actors, dancers, models, etc. But it was ruined by the trouble makers.
What a miserable police officer. They seem to forget that unless they are actively dealing with a threat, they should be friendly and helpful to everyone they come into contact with.
The fact that majority of restaurants and bars automatically add 15% "Gratuity" then tell you to tip on top of the tip they automatically add to your bill. That shit pisses me off
From 2004-2012 we would visit Vegas from SoCal once or twice every month. More in the summer months. Right around 2013 we noticed the corporate greed really begin to takeover. By then nearly every hotel on the strip was charging the resort fees. Yet, from 2013-2016 we still would make the drive 10-15 times every year because you could just refuse to pay the resort fees, and the desks usually waived them for you. Especially when they saw your players' card status. We'd still hit the $5-$10 mins blackjack tables, win, lose, get comped and it was a great time. Our friends that didn't play would stand behind us for many hands, cheering. Yet, that all began to really change right around 2016. Resorts started charging ridiculous parking fees. Spas and gyms no longer let you visit unless you were staying at that particular hotel. The attractiveness level of the staff significantly plummeted (Sorry woke ppl, but Vegas is unique. Visitors expect the best looking women and men at the casinos. Losing or winning, with something pleasing to the eyes, it keeps us in our seats spending money) to near Laughlin levels of unattractiveness. After the pandemic, we went a few times in 2021 and now 2022. Sadly, we don't desire to go back. Players' Clubs are meaningless now. Comps are non-existent. Attractive waitresses that are funny and talkative for that extra tip are gone. Good luck getting more than 3 drinks now even within a 30 minute span of consistent playing at the tables. Worst of all, I think they told all the dealers to no longer be as talkative or helpful. In the past, when newbies would sit at the table, some aholes would scoff and leave, but the dealers would be welcoming, talkative and give them pointers time-to-time. Or even let us vets help them. Now it's like a Nazi assembly line almost. Good luck finding a $10 min table at the nicer casinos as well. Those are gone forever. And if your non-playing friends stand behind you, the pit bosses really hate that now. Ruins the fun. We don't plan on ever entering the WSOP so calm the F down and let us have fun again, please. The thing is we always went knowing we would more than likely end up losing. So we'd always take that amount with us prepared to lose. Spend hours upon hours at the $5-$10 min tables having a blast even if we lost. Can't do that anymore, and unless there's a major takeover of all the Strip casinos by Individuals that actually get back to the roots, those days are gone forever, and Vegas will be left for the 1% only. Sadly, i think this is the goal though. Covid was the excuse many casinos needed to get rid of the Buffets. Which also gets rid of clientele the casinos hate. People that only come for the buffet and don't gamble at all. It's really sad more than anything....extremely sad.
The most honest video I have seen from a Vegas RUclipsr! Thank you! I’m 23 and remember the first time I came to Vegas when it first opened up. I was walking around with 10k in my pocket . I would never do this now a days. When I stayed in August I went down to breakfast and left to do not disturb sign on my door. I mistakenly left my money out came back up to the room to find a housekeeper standing there right over my money. Luckily I counted it and it was all there but i definitely learned my lesson.
High Five to Jacob for this video. It should be required viewing for anyone wanting to visit Las Vegas. Specifically the resort fees and the strip restaurant CNF fees. Shame on Nevada authorities for allowing the rip off fees. With CNF fees, customers can legally refuse to pay them, you can fight back, but it's a joykill when you're on vacation.
@@otrebla8944 Per the LA Times: A new, sneakier fee is creeping onto Las Vegas restaurant menus at an alarming rate. The CNF fee or “Concession and Franchise Fee” amounts to a 4.7-5% fee tacked onto your final bill… for nothing. Frustratingly, there is barely a mention of this fee as it typically gets buried in the fine print of a menu.
@@emailuser8668 I wouldn't know: I haven't had a dinner (of significance) on the strip in about 15 years or so. Dinner on the Las Vegas strip is for fools. Unless it is one HELL of a bargain. The top of the Strat or whatever. 😁
I went to Las Vegas in June and was astonished how crappy it has become. I went to Fremont Street and felt so unsafe. Homeless, drug addicts, and people asking for money. It looked somewhat run down too. Another thing I noticed was there use to be deals on drinks and food. Those are all gone. The hotel that I stayed at charged me a daily parking fee and of course a resort fee. Our room didn't even have a mini fridge. I'm sure that was done to discourage us from bringing our own food. The food too was incredibly expensive. I bought a 10oz. piña colada for $10. Rip-off! The only reason I went to Las Vegas was for my wife. I never want to go back. Total rip-off.
I’m sorry but when has Fremont ever not been run down? I was born & raised in Vegas and have never known it to be anything other than a dump lol I’m genuinely amazed that this is surprising for tourists. Y’all were always in danger 💀
Now Fremont Street is full of drunk idiots who just want to listen to those stupid concerts. I'm sure there are lots of pickpockets in those crowds too.
Honestly Fremont in 2019 was just okay. It was fun enough back then to make up for its dirtiness. Now, the homelessness and crime is just no where worth it to me. Yes it’s changed since Covid!
I've only been to Vegas once in 2009. I stayed at the Four Queens for $17/night and free parking was everywhere. I was trying to plan a trip right before the pandemic started and I couldn't believe the prices at that time. I decided not to go, then the pandemic started. I kind of thought about planning another trip, but I guess I'll wait a few years if this is the state of things. Honestly, I was quite surprised how expensive it was in 2009 and I couldn't believe a beer was $10 included taxes and tip at a bar in the MGM. I think Vegas was better when the mob ran everything rather than the corporations that run it now. I have no interest in going to Vegas currently.
May 1073, I stayed at The Mint downtown. Breakfast buffet was 49 cents. Lunch buffet was 79 cents. Dinner buffet was 99 cents. Steak and eggs in the coffee shop was $1.49. Just sayin....
When I was a child growing up in the Vegas area during the 1960's-70's I was in no danger of being harmed, there were no gangs and any "riff raff" that caused any trouble, it was dealt with by a certain "Security" Until the feds showed up and removed this necessary evil.
I am from Italy and visited Las Vegas in June 2022. I prepared 1 year in advance and was shocked what I saw when I got there. Love Las Vegas but every you mentioned in this video I experienced 1st hand. It's time the tourists speak up about it so changes can be made. Change is good!
Like they say vote with your feet. As long as people keep coming the casino owners will continue to rip everyone off. I remember seeing Dion Warwick at a dinner show in the 80s for $25. Now they don't have dinner shows and a ticket would cost$175. Las Vegas used to be a great bargain now it is a great ripoff.
@@nechelberryjr it is a term that you will be lucky to have that when you leave. You will be broke. It is almost impossible to win. How do you think that pay for all that glitz & luxury. Nothing personal. It is the environment. It is o.k. all long as you gamble responsible. All vacations cost. e.g taking a cruise on a environmentally destructive floating toilet. disney. Superbowl. Whatever floats your boat. What you enjoy.
I work for the biggest food company on the planet and I can honestly say that even they are digging their own graves. Box tickers are destroying the world
Thank you so much for this! I've been a regular visitor since the '80s. I know the city well enough to understand the ins and outs of the Strip and the history of it all, but not well enough to track the details you describe. This information is invaluable - again, thanks!!
Last summer I took my family and a friend with their family. We walked the strip the first night and couldn't believe all the homelessness and how dirty everything was. There were bums having absolute screaming breakdowns in front of the thousands of tourists walking by. WTF. We won't be going back for a LONG time.
Great video! I totally agree with everything you said. I live in Chicago and have been going to Vegas every year for the past 31 years, but I don't think I'll be going to Vegas this year or next. I can't believe casinos are charging for parking. If it wasn't for Ellis Island, I don't think I would've gone the past few years. E.I. has great food and drink at very reasonable prices.
THANK YOU for this honesty!! Homelessness, mental illness and drug addiction are real world problems that need empathy and action. But when did camping in tents on the sidewalk in front of The Flamingo Hotel become acceptable?!?!
Well, we are getting that same problem in Atlantic Canada as well: tent people, an increase in bums, drug problems, an increase in panhandling, and unsanitized parts of town. I was in Vegas last year, and compared to here, the fast food places were terribly dirty, staffed by illegals who spoke poor English. Most everywhere was, including the hotels. It wasn't unlike here at all in that regard, just more overt.
I took my son to Vegas for his 21st birthday 2 weeks ago, it was far more expensive than when I last went 9 years before. So many fees, the casinos didn't have the same sound or feel. I won't be going back for quite a while, if ever.
Dad of The Year Award. For introducing his newly adult son to gambling, drinking, strip clubs and girls to your room. Were you really surprised that becomes expensive?
It used to be that Vegas gave visitors great value in terms of food and entertainment, in order to entice people to gamble. If they've taken that aspect away then I have to agree, that there is no reason to go there.
We're frome New Zealand and visited Vegas for the first time in 2019. I see people commenting here about homeless people hassling for money on the streets, but we encountered scammers inside the shopping areas of the Venetian, Caesars Palace etc. If we politely ignore them and carried on walking, some would start shouting abuse at us (I think to try and get a reaction). I felt really stupid on our first morning in Vegas, we were staying at the Palazzo and wandered through the Venetian shops looking for a place for breakfast. We passed a make-up shop and one of the sales assistants was in the doorway and seemed friendly as she made a few suggestions on where to eat. Next minute I was in one of her chairs having product slapped over my face 😂 I quickly realized that something was dodgy, as there were around 4 guys hanging around behind the counter offering their opinions, with absolutely no other customers around at all. I managed to extricate myself from the situation and as soon as the sales girl realized she wasn't going to make a sale, her attitude quickly became pretty salty. We spent 4 nights in Vegas altogether and it was 3 nights too many..... never again.
Yea the aggressive sales tactics and scams on the strip has gotten completely out of hand. During my recent three day weekend there, I did not encounter one uniformed cop on the strip or in any of the shopping areas. And we were out and about non stop. They need to have visible police presence to deter all the aggressive scammers.
Greedy corporations and shareholders raise praises and squeeze (number of) employees. Eventually this will backfire and people just stop coming. Love your channel by the way.
I visited in April, 2022. I can confirm, the luster has definitely worn off. Gangsters/homeless are seemingly hanging around every street corner on the strip. Nearly every meal was over $100 for two people. Casinos nickle and diming, squeezing customers as much as possible and not comping like they used to. It just was not enjoyable this time. It's a sad reality, but no problem, plenty of other places to go.
The luster is still there if you don’t expect to get a steak meal for 5.99. Days when the MOB stole from and created venders so people could get fat on $10 buffet is over. Nothing worse that whiny people complaining about the GOOD OLD DAYS. The exact same complaints were said in the 90s.
I live in LV and have for almost 30 years. You have hit on everything wrong with this city. I’m embarrassed to live here. The homeless situation is beyond anything I could have ever imagined and the city does nothing.
The city is protecting the American Way, just like Superman does. Everyone is free to do nothing and be homeless. Said The Most Popular Amercian Singer ever, Bing Crosby: "Every one is free to roam and not be fenced in." You should be embarrassed to demand that others lock themselves in at night.
The homeless situation was bad last year, but even downtown in my home Staye has got worse and we never go down there. Governors don't realise, do nothing lose money
Your video was right on point, but it left out a few things that are rip-offs and have changed from years ago. I used to go to Vegas 2, 3, or 4 times a year back in the 1990's to about 2003/4 and back then the shows were cheaper, and you could win just a little bit of money. A little bit would be maybe $2-300. to $500. My last trip there was 4 yrs. ago and I swore that I will never go again. Its no longer anywhere near as nice as it once was. From the street vendors, the time-share sellers hounding you, the resort fees, higher prices for buffets and even higher on weekends, outrageous prices for show tickets, rip-offs on rental cars and parking, and a general feeling that you are not safe walking the Strip day or night. Vegas was much nicer before the corporations took over from the mob.
To be fair, if you’re looking for an affordable vacation to a casino just go to a local casino near you. Time & place for everything, Vegas hasn’t been known as an affordable vacation destination for years unless you’re planning to stay at lower end properties.
This guy is 100 percent right! IThe last 3 decades I have travelled to the strip multiple times and It is not what it once was. My last visit was just before the pandemic and I was quite shocked how much change and overly expensive it has become. Prepare yourself if you go there and if the financials do not bother you, then best of luck to you. Once again great and accurate depiction.
I worked in a casino about a quarter century ago, owned by one of the old timers in the industry. The policy was that casinos could lose money on hotel rooms, food, beverage and even shows -- just to keep people on their premises to gamble. Gaming profits were the focus while everything else was pretty much promotion. Now that bean counters have taken over the industry, look for a gradual but steep decline in Nevada's gaming tourism and a rise in legalized, non-resort casinos in other states.
We have casinos here in Minnesota. You are given comps when you join the club. They also offer bowling, golf, and bingo. There is also a cruise around the lake. Wish I had looked into this before going to Vegas.
@@lucretiaelliott155 Yes, Nevada gaming establishments have changed drastically over the last quarter century from the perspective of inexpensive rooms, inexpensive food and comps. It's only a question of greed; when they stay busy the money they make on gambling is huge. By taking away the incentives for going there they are likely losing more in lost gaming revenues than they are bringing in by making people's stay much more expensive. Today, you probably get a better deal in Minnesota or other states where casinos are legal than in Vegas, Reno or Tahoe and if you live in the state, it's even cheaper because you don't have to fly there.
On our last visit to Vegas and we have been going to Vegas for over 20 years, we felt everything you talked about. We decided to remove Vegas from our list of places to visit and no longer go to Vegas. There are 100's of places to visit in the good old USA that afford you a much better value.
Why would you continue to keep going to THE SAME tourist trap when there's 100's of places to visit right here in the USA?! Must be one of them gambler's that are like a moth to a Flame
Probably your best video to date, and spot on. I came to Vegas 5 times last year, and have pretty decent earned status with the two major players. This year, just one stay and just cancelled our November trip. Overall, the value just isn't worth it - and the weed smell and the overwhelming homeless/scammers really is a downer. I don't know if anyone else notices, but the amount of trash on the sidewalks and overall cleanliness is just bad. I absolutely love Vegas, but it doesn't seem like a fun vacation anymore - more bad than good
I stayed in Las Vegas last Xmas. The resort fees, parking fees, high prices for food, shows, etc, had me muttering I wont be back till everythings remedied. And I was Pro Vegas.
Totally agree. Our average visit is 3-5 days ; we used to enjoy a few upscale dinners each visit but have cut back to 1-2 per visit. I get comp rooms and don’t pay resort fees or parking- thank god. My biggest issue is crime and customer service. The gambling is ridiculous- lost the most money ever last year. Thank you for speaking out loud about these issues
@@RogueStatusX I have spent maybe $2500 in actual cash. I have gotten thousands back in comps. When gambling, your losses aren't how many dollars rotated through. Just the actual cash invested. Get a few good hits and that money is the same as real money, but isn't a loss to you if you then use those winnings to play. Sometimes something hits, sometimes you just stop at break even and try again another day. I am only out $2500 from initial investment this year and a couple times I decided to risk more on a machine that didn't pan out for the given visit. $2500 is far less than a timeshare. But for MGM and Ceasars alone, I have many destination options, not just Vegas., and most are comped for at least 4 nights, zero resort fee, and often a nice set of freeplay and resort credit.
@@jayce8001 dude im a Noir member, you aint getting SHIT for freeplay with mgm at gold. 150 a visit max. the only way you've gotten 'thousands back' in comps outside of rooms is if youve put over 150,000+ coin in/coin out mgm rewards are based off that now lol and have been since beginning of the year
Just left Vegas. First time visiting. This video is 100% accurate. It was SO EXPENSIVE! Homeless people everywhere. The smoking did it for me. Got sick from the constant cigarette smells . Not planning to visit again.
"Make little people feel like big people." I remember walking into a St. Louis region casino. They checked my driver's license-ID, then twenty steps later they greeted me by my name and said how wonderful it was to have me here. It works for all people - big and little.
I also went during the " Covid" scare days.. ( 4 trips actually ) Vegas was awesome! 3 nts, comped ( all trips ), parking Comped, air was cheap and airport was DEAD. no crowds anywhere :o), I will never go back now. Bye Bye Vegas....
@@tara607 I also enjoyed Las Vegas even with the restrictions and the lack of shows. There is always something fun and unique to do in Vegas. I’m glad that you didn’t let fear stop you from enjoying yourself.
The main reason they leave up the Now Hiring signs up is to head off the customers irritation, even though the business has no intention of Hiring. They want to do more with less.
Great video Jacob. Vegas resident since 1998. My Jeep is packed. My belongings are in storage. I'm heading to north Nevada to go camping and find my piece of "middle of nowhere" Vegas sucks now. I wouldn't work for any of these greedy corporate assholes if they paid me 100k a year. Not knowing it came from duped tourists. This place is evil 🙏🇺🇸
I was randomly looking up “Vegas vacation” movies scenes and saw this video. Oddly enough I just went to Vegas for EDC earlier this year. And you’re not kidding on any of the stuff you have said. Absolutely mind blowing.
When I visited Vegas for the first time 15 years ago on a family trip I felt so safe! I was a 25 year old woman and the security guards at the hotel we stayed at took it upon themselves to look out for me anytime I was alone, walking me to elevators, giving me tips and pointers. This June I wanted to take a trip alone to see a comedian touring and picked Vegas assuming I would have the same sense of security and MAN I WAS WRONG. I stayed at the Plaza downtown and knew downtown could be dangerous but still assumed there would be good security at least in the hotel. On my 3rd night the room adjoining mine had an angry violent man in it who was smoking what I assume was crack or meth (didn't recognize the smell so it wasn't pot or cigarettes). Clouds of smoke poured into my room from our adjoining door as he ranted and banged on things. I started to get scared cuz I was alone with only a push lock between us. So I called security and instead of reassuring me or asking for details the guy mocked me. He demanded to know which room I was in and I said I didn't want the angry guy to turn on me for reporting him so if they went and gave him a warning I would be more at risk cuz he'd figure out the adjoining room complained. Security guy got mad at me for saying this. I asked to speak to someone else and he threw the phone in anger at someone. I asked why he was so upset at me just cuz I am scared. The security woman said he wasn't upset and it was all in my head. She then said they can see my room # on the phone and were sending police up to give the guy a warning whether I like it or not. So why did the first guy get so upset that I wouldn't give my room # if you can see it? Anyways I waited and didn't hear anything...the guy seemed to calm down although my whole room smelled like god knows what he was smoking. After 30 mins of nothing I phoned down to followup. The first guy answered again and told me they came up and didn't hear or smell anything. I said my whole room stinks so could I change rooms? He said to ask front desk. Front desk wouldn't answer for like an hour and once I got through they were like "we have no empty rooms and it's 11pm so nobody would be available to clean your current room if we moved you." The first part was a clear lie...they definitely didn't have a packed house and not sure what the second part has to do with anything. They could have cleaned my room the next day before the next people checked in. I told her I felt unsafe and my whole room smells like crack or meth or something so what am I supposed to do? She replied "whatever you want to do". What the actual fuck! So yea....don't go to Vegas alone or maybe even at all. Security and hotel workers no longer give an eff about your safety and comfort!! Never felt so unsafe and uncomfortable in my life.
@@dannythemedic Less expensive than the Venetian but not the cheapest hotel on offer at all. I picked it because it was where the comedy show was held and it had historic charm. The price was comparable to The Mirage which is where we stayed 15 years ago.
Can you imagine an old-time hotel/casino manager putting up with homeless people sleeping on the sidewalk or begging right outside their establishment? I can’t imagine that either.
But back then there were very little homeless around. And they were called "bums". But word would get around that you get beat up if you hang around Lefty's place so they'd avoid the area.
I was talking to another local about how things are getting so expensive. He was telling me this is a sports town now that's why everything is so high lol. Living in Vegas has always been a joke, now it's just being exposed more than ever before. You should do a video on the leaky roofs in the casinos 😂
I have to agree. I visited just before the pandemic. Even then I felt that I had to be super careful all the time. I will not be going back. To me it just seemed sad. A city that could have been a real amazing spectacle, just turned out to be a place for lost souls getting ripped off.
I was just there earlier this month, and while it was an interesting experience, some of the best value I got out of Vegas was renting a car and driving to Zion National Park. I wanted to see Silk Sonic, but shitty tickets were going to run us thousands of dollars per person.
Excellent piece (and appreciate the honesty). Have been to LV several times (from the UK) but the last trip earlier this year will probably be the last. Felt totally 'nickel and dimed' at every turn. Want a lounger by the pool for you and partner? That'll be $100 please. Want to access internet and use the pool? That'll be $40+ per night as a 'resort fee' (even though elsewhere these basics are included in the room rate). It just wasn't *fun*. Who wants to feel like a big corporation has their hand in their pockets the entire time? Made to feel like we should be grateful for being allowed to be there. Well, no thanks from me. I don't know if I'll ever go back, tbh. Maybe I should be grateful I witnessed 'classic Vegas' back in '92. Hope the city bounces back...
I've lived here over 30 years. I tell people don't bother coming here. It will take decades for Vegas to recover from 2020. Plus buffets are pretty much a thing of the past. A majority of them will never reopen.
This video is completely accurate. I’ve been visiting Vegas since 2013. My visit in 2021 and 2022 have been the most expensive. The slots are definitely tighter, food’s more expensive, people are more aggressive (visitors and employees), I could go on. So much has changed. BUT I still love Vegas. I just won’t be visiting as often as I’d like.
Thank you for your honesty and for this video. It is so refreshing to hear the truth and at the same time a real eye opener and I hope this message get's out to the masses. maybe then only then will they get their prices under control if everyone uniformly boycotts places that rip them off.
Great video Jacob! We were at the Cosmo in June for 5 nights, by far the most expensive trip we ever experienced, plus the service was not very good. Prices are out of control, we normally go to Vegas 3 times a year, we decided we are going to take a break for a little while.
Honestly, I am astounded people are still coming. Unless that changes, there will be no improvement. I would never accept having to pay for parking to visit a casino. Yet, despite the complaints, it did not seem to have made a dent in their business. So of course the parking fees are staying. Same with resort fees.
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If hotels do away with resort fees they will just raise the room rates so you'll be paying the same thing. In Vegas I can almost always get a room, on the Strip, for less than $150 a night with my Caesars or MGM reward status. That is MUCH cheaper than getting a hotel room at other U.S. tourist destinations. Granted, I am staying mid range properties, not luxury, but in Vegas I don't spend much time in my room.
@@TalkinnGrubbinMedia rent is through the roof, as well as houses, we went from 98% water in lake mead down to 25%, crime, the homeless... too many people not enough resources.
Also, the reduced hours of operation of so many of the stores and restaurants since the pandemic is just ridiculous! I arrived to T.I. late after 10pm last year and if it weren't for the vending machines I would've starved to death.
Excellent and accurate video Jacob. I think the MBA's calling the shots for all the price gouging do not realize that Vegas is rapidly approaching a point where a majority of tourist would rather visit their own local casino rather than being abused in Vegas. A good friend of mine just returned and basically reinforced everything in your video. High fees, crappy service and changes to the rules in almost all the table games that make it impossible to win. His spouse played the slots and confirmed that they simply don't pay anymore and just take your funds.
My last trip (3 months ago) - I found that if you left your hotel to walk the strip, it was very depressing. There was a HUGE population of homeless and mentally afflicted folks. I would say on average, you could not walk 100 yards without encountering 1 or 2 of these unfortunates. We stepped in to TI one afternoon, and there was many degenerate gamblers. We would be approached about every 10-15 minutes by people asking for money. Hotel security seemed to condone these actions, as they stood by and took no action. Our hotel was also very distressed (MGM Grand). - The rooms (we had 3 rooms) were all very worn and dirty. The water was turned off one night for about 6 hours. (No compensation to the guests...We called the desk to request different rooms, and they said the best they could do was waive the resort fee for that night. They of course refused to do this when it came time to check out) Overall, a huge disappointment on the trip. I spent over $16k on this trip in total for air, rooms, food, shows and gambling. (I treated for 6 other family members to go) and feel like the value and fun was not worth anywhere near this. I have a couple of casinos about an hour and a half drive from us in Oklahoma that provide more value for the money. - While they do comp my room and include a couple hundred for food, the free play is not as good as Vegas. (I only get about $200 per week at these) With that said, I will spend my money on these more local casinos, and will reduce my Vegas visits to once every 2-3 years. Now, if they clean up the strip and remodel some properties, perhaps I would switch back....Otherwise, I will stick with the Bellagio every couple-three years.
I went to Vegas not all that long ago. One thing I will say about some of the homeless I saw is at least they were honest. I saw more than one sign asking for money because they desperately wanted a beer.
The homeless were most likely residents who came to Vegas from out of state with promises of a better future only to encounter the stark realities of this desert mirage. I've also noticed the rise in the mental state of the afflicted in Vegas and find it alarming. If these folks were mentally challenged even somewhat before moving to Vegas, this town will only accelerate their mental state to spiral further out of control as you have clearly seen.
Jacob's way of telling why inflation is how it is now, was offputting. Vegas is dealing with 2 sets of inflation, while every where else in america is dealing with really one. Everyone is dealing with the covid inflation, the world is feeling that one, but what has been failed to mention is what is destroying vegas completely. There was a reason Vegas never had professional sports teams before 2017, a very simple reason, vegas is a really small city. We NEVER had any room or housing for a large amount of people to move here at one time. Somebody in the city hall decided, to hell with people who are under middle class and started to approve these sports teams to come to the city. Major problem with that, is that brings thousands and thousands of people to move here from other cities which it did, and all this is happening when we dont have enough housing. And guess what, rent has quadrupled, prices have even more skyrocketed. Vegas is the smallest city that has pro sports housing wise, and that small little sentence means everything. Vegas has been completetly destroyed by this very certain thing. The covid inflation , and the sports inflation hit around the same time ( as it took about 1 in a half years from when the knights got here for the inflation to get to a high point, and then of course in 2019 when the covid one hit). The raiders came a little later, and streets are now stacked with homeless. Now of course, the only people who this doesnt effect, are the people who can afford those sports tickets, and afford the quadruple rent, and thats the middle class. Theres more people in poverty which is why this is such a big issue. Vegas will never make effort to get more housing to balance it out, and they wont shut these teams down, but guess what? Planning on bringing in 2 more pro sports teams, you can only IMAGINE whats going to happen.
Went to Vegas this past October, hotel rates were insane. Midweek The Strat advertised $45 rooms, when you go to book it after all the fees it was $160 ! We stayed on the strip south of the airport for $250 a night at a corporate hotel, no pool or amenities to speak of. Not a lot of value there.
Definitely agree with everything you said! I went in 2021 and this year and even the difference between 1 year in costs, street harassment, and just the feeling like you’re being swindled was insane. I LOVE Vegas and will be back next year but I really hope to see some changes. I could not believe how many street performers and homeless people are allowed to follow/yell at/harass guests. It was extremely frustrating. I also think if you do your research and go to some of the hidden gems (both off and on strip) for entertainment/food you can have an amazing time and save some coin.
Jacob, would you be open to making a video on how Vegas became what it is today? Essentially the rise of corporate Vegas. Thanks again for the awesome videos!
Vegas was always a popular destination due to the fact it had the reputation as a cheap, fun place to go. If they continue this apparent price gouging, they will lose the majority of their potential visitors. Unless they ease up on these out of control prices soon, the loss of future visitors will drive prices up even higher to the point where many of these resorts will have to eventually shut down.
The room prices are not too bad. Especially if you visit during the weekdays. My only issue is the resort fees!!! So expensive!!Especially if your hotel is not the best lol
I was initially under the impression that capacity was lower than normal. I guess if they are back to normal capacity and people are willing to pay these prices, if you can deal with the lack of service. good luck to them. I am certainly never going back due to the prices.
I’ve been to Vegas twice. The first was back in 1983, had a wonderful time. The service was great, the food was delicious and a bargain. The shows were very affordable. I returned in 2011, and the city had completely transformed for the worse. The service was not just bad, it was horrible. The prices had become preposterous. Every aspect of the city had morphed into this monstrous apparatus designed to soullessly take your money the moment you got off the plane. People seem to think that their is something unique or special about Vegas. The only only thing “special” about it now is their unparalleled ability to rip you off and treat you shabbily while doing so. 12 years ago I resolved to never come back, thinking it couldn’t get any worse. Clearly I was wrong.
I watched just to see if you mentioned "resort fees"....yep, #2. I went to Vegas in 2019 to visit my dying grandmother and had to stay way outside of town to find a hotel without a resort fee. And the rental cars were outrageous. I visited the strip one night with family and was blown away about the prices. Long gone are the all you can eat breakfast buffet for 9 bucks. This place is an absolute rip off now
@@Acreyman Since you know that some people love vegas, and you know vegas is an absolute ripoff now, is it not fascinating that some people love to be ripped off?
The gambling value has gone so far downhill. $50+ to get actual 3:2 blackjack. Triple zero roulette. Tight slots and video poker. And that’s not to mention how stingy the comps are now. Not too long ago I played blackjack for about 4 hours at $85 average per hand. They gave me a buy 1 get 1 buffet. In other casino towns I would be pampered like a king for that action.
Thank you Jacob, for being real about Vegas! ! We were there last year, stayed at the Palazzo and it didn’t seem like the Vegas we used to love! Homeless people and the annoying smell of weed 🤮 was everywhere on the strip! Sadly, Hubby and I may not be back for awhile! We’re happy staycationing here locally in AZ ! Have a wonderful day, Jacob! You are awesome!
Way to go Jacob, the style of your videos is engaging, informative and at the end, uplifting. After all these years, you keep working your channel always, in all ways. The corporations, aka The Mob, will not be doing anything different because the people are still coming. They will continue with the "nickle and diming" in even more ways. It is part of your job to inform us of the next fee, better entertainment options, safety concerns and more. Love your style, your smile and "My Life in Vegas" motto. WOO HOO, give me more! 🤩
Jacob, I love your videos. I have been to Las Vegas several times over the past 20 years. Now with the high fees and increased minimum bets I feel fine staying away. One way to maybe bring some concern about the ridiculous fees is to stop, or cut down, on tipping. The higher fees and food prices result in larger tips. It is like rubbing salt in the wound. The hotels might respond to their workers getting less tips because of their bogus pricing policies. The resort fee is the one that I feel is the worst. They keep going up for the same service. (Service???) At least hold back enough in tips to cover the resort fee. Make sure the server, maid, dealer or any resort employee knows why the tip is less. This might get back to the hotel.
Great video. I do live in Las Vegas, my wife works for over 25 years at Caesars and I personally think it is a shit hole right now. It lost all of it's personality, way to corporate, no room for fun and greed is just so rampant that it lost it's status.
Agreed. Not that long ago, it used to be kinda loose, easy and fun, with bargains, if you were flexible and willing to look around for them. For quite a while now, it feels more like a tourist trap with everything scientifically designed to pick your pocket. There isn't really the range for people of all budgets anymore. That with the crime and corruption has eliminated it as a destination for me, unless I'm attending a trade show or conference or specific event.
I hope Vegas don't solely depend on the convention and sports people. They, too, will cut back if Vegas don't do something with drowning people with these fees.
I will be there September 7-14. I know things are different and more expensive but I got my Vegas routine. I know where to go, where to eat, and what to do. The only gambling I do is poker. Yeah, the rakes suck but that is pretty much everywhere.
I work in a store on the strip. And I gotta say things are brutal on the front lines. Between being short staffed and busy most days. I'm a part time employee that's working practically full time hours. And it doesn't show signs of improving anytime soon.
Real inflation, measured as it was 40 years ago, now is 37.2%, not 9%. The rate does not measure gas & food anymore! So it's the highest inflation in U.S. history.
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This is why we love you Jacob you don't sugar coat no bs
You are absolutely correct..I went for my first time last month and it didn’t felt like a vacation at all..horrible experience..Barely had any money to get home
I agree America is in some trouble .lucky that this country always lands on its feet.
Resort fees are there to lower kickbacks to third party booking sites. The room price comes out the same. If you're going to rip on them, please at least explain them.
@@damsbaug33 Plus they're not new. Resort fees are the norm in Vegas.
I’m sick of being hassled by drug addicts and homeless people. I was just there 2 days ago and was asked countless times for money while playing a slot machine. It’s not sad , it’s annoying
What casino? I will avoid it.
Yea lol it's probably the casino you were in... there is a correlation with between room prices and what you get
Strip or downtown?
And they cus you out and do their whole shpeel on why we suck cause we won’t give them money. Like , take yourself to job core and get back on track
Fremont homeless district
The massive resort fees remain the greatest deterrent to my revisiting Las Vegas.
The fact that I paid $5 for a glass of iced tea and the waitress never even came by to offer a refill clued me in right quick to the fact that Vegas has priced me out.
Did you tip her?
Just returned from a business trip. Stayed at TI, I would normally have several coupons and I would take advantage of a couple of them, only had one "yard drink " coupon from senior frogs. Like bruh, I'm from L.A. I'm not gonna ever walk around with one of those drinks anywhere. I don't want to look like a dip ****.
I normally stay in downtown Fremont area when I go for personal Vegas gambling trips. But at the same time, I prefer Tahoe for a trip as in the winter during the day I can hit slopes and summer time do hikes and boating stuff and enjoy the gaming in the night time.
Cry me a river $5 is expensive for you? If you at least said $10-$15 I would understand.
@@munchkinsophie $5 for some water with some tea steeped in it is expensive, also any cheap domestic beer is $20 at every strip bar now.
That's actually cheap , usually drinks are 7,8$ plus tax and tip .
I'm Canadian and love Vegas and used to visit 2 to 3 times a year pre pandemic. Went back in Sept 2022 and I don't see myself going back anytime soon. Everything's become overpriced and overly marketed. When for about the same price or maybe 10% more (with everything in, flights, hotels, resort fees, cover charges, meals, entertainment, cab / uber rides, etc) you can travel overseas and visit a major European city (and not do it on the cheap but pretty much the same level). Only advantage to Vegas now is that it's a quick flight and easy weekend trip, but I can't justify the value any more. I see most of my trips will be overseas in the future.
It wasnt great 14 years ago after the recession in 2008 since the Chinese started going more and more to Macau while Vegas hotels were begging for them to come back with deals. I was dating a Chinese girl and got a decent deal at the time. Got flights, massive hotel room at Venetian for 3 nights at 500USD. Customer service was horrendous then. I cant imagine it now. Lineups everywhere but the hotels were empty. I wont even try to go back there. You can still fly cheap to Asia on Zip Air at less than 400$ from LAX.
I worked in Vegas for many years. Nowadays they bank on “Virgin tourists” meaning they prey on new customers and don’t care if you come back. It’s awful.
I don't gamble except for Powerball and Mega Millions at Safeway 😅
Why don't you go to other places in the states instead of Vegas if you have that kind of money? You feel like you have to leave North America just because Las Vegas sucks? I don't get it. Many of the typical places in Europe most people travel to have huge overtourism problems in the first place.
But i know there are gems in Europe that could be more fun than the typical Italy/France/Spain/ Greece thing that everyone jumps on to be fair.
Was driving through Vegas a few days ago and was going to stay for the weekend until I tried booking a room. YIKES!! Doubled prices in less than one year. Hotels are usually cheap because they want you to spend money at the casino. In 2022, it’s pretty ridiculous and we will see it eventually humble. I skipped out on Vegas and went to AZ instead.
My sister goes to Wendover, NV with her husband. They always get a special package deal when they go. It's not Vegas, but they always have a good relaxing time. I'll have to ask her what her last trip was like.
You can thank Joe biden for double and triple everything
@@leemananderson FJB !!!
@@leemananderson that's just not how it works
Well the weekend prices on hotels doubles. That’s not new. It’s been like that for decades
Just returned from Vegas a few days ago. I can give a pass to the lack of employees because that is not a Vegas problem, it is occurring in most cities. The aggression of the criminals selling downloads of their music (formerly the cd sellers), ladies of the evening, drug dealers and even the limo drivers to strip clubs is the worst I've ever experienced. If you politely ignore them you are guaranteed to get followed and harassed way more aggressively than in past years. This was the first year I did not feel safe on the strip in certain areas at night. The increasing house edge, grossly increased table minimums and extra fees are exactly as Jacob describes--a way for the casinos to extract every penny you bring as quickly as possible. It is so obvious, the casino doesn't even try to hide its greed. I had a blast and came home with more money than I left with, but Vegas is definitely on the decline. Great analysis Jacob!!
People need to stop feeding the bums. I get that some folks just have this weird tendency to feel guilty about staying in a decent hotel and eating well, then seeing those guys in the streets, but that is life. Suck it up and move on. Don't encourage bad behavior.
The worst infestation on the strip imo is the photo models, coming up to you, trying to put you in handcuffs, trying to get you to take a picture with them and then guilt you into a big tip. They're SOOOOO aggressive. Not the guy models mind you, but the ladies. Coming right up to you and touching you, it's gross and borderline assault.
Yeah , then they call you racist for not buying their garbage music smh 😂
@@infiniterecursion6963 I always grab some ass then give them 2 bucks 👍👍👍
@@miguelgonzalez6213 the only thing a feed em is advice which they should b hungry 4 if they want 2 improve their lives!
When I moved to Vegas in the early 90's the casinos were practically giving away food and drinks to get you in the door. The idea back then was to get you in the casino with cheap prices and they would make up for it in the casino. No parking fees, no resort fees, cheap rooms etc. back then. Someone in these big corporations keeps finding new ways of haggling money out of guests to pad their profit margin.
Thats when people were intelligent. Now they eat any shit the corporations offer. Sheeple.
Yep, and the last time I went in November I didn't gamble at all, because prices had gotten so expensive I decided I'd be better off spending my $$ on food.
And for some reason, guests keep returning.
Yes In the 90's Vegas was kool very affordable 75 cent beers!..huge breakfast for real cheap steak dinners were cheap you could do a lot back then and have a lot of fun I lived it!.. 👍🏼
Did you get the steak and eggs for 99 cents? lol. Or the 3/4 lbs hot dog over at Slots o fun for 99 cents? lol. great times back then.
I have an uncle who lives in Vegas and he noticed the changes. They are not only screwing over and scaring away out of town tourists, they are turning off the locals too. He noticed the slots being very tight and comps are almost non-existent now. He no longer patronizes the casinos as a result.
Was there 2 days ago won 1500 in 20 mins on slots
@@Cmoney12m It doesn't mean people aren't winning. The games have been tightened up so fewer wins are happening. The casinos lost a lot of money during the Covid mess being forced to close for the first time ever so they are taking more and giving less back to the customers to make up for it.
@@miniskunk I win everytime i go im just lucky i guess
@@Cmoney12m After plugging into it for $2,000... DOH!
@@arizonaarmadillo5829 nope never spend more then 200 bucks win everytime but thanks for input 🤡
As someone who's visited three times, once in 2015, 2019, and then this past October 2022, I was astonished at how much its changed. Not only unbelievably expensive but seeing how badly the pandemic wiped out all the smaller shop owners. The homeless, the drugs, the empty casino floors, it was a slap in the face for sure. Didn't go to any shows because they were astronomical in price, no deals to be seen for shows or tourist activities. The food prices was insane. Maybe will go back one day but not anytime soon unfortunately.
That's what happens when Nevada elects Democrats. They're getting exactly what they asked for. Shut down businesses and crime on the streets.
@@oldgoat50 ah, the good old days when you would be sent to an early grave for having a rude sign up…🙄
@@oldgoat50 I dont see an issue with someone having a sign like that other than parents who dont wnat to expose their children to nonsense like it. Certainly wouldnt cause me any issues.
@@oldgoat50 im 54 and not a snowflake. Signs with words on them dont make me think of the 'good ol days' when people were dragged out to the desert. As far as the way things are in the world right now, if I had a button that erased every human from the planet I wouldnt hesitate to push it.
They fulfilled their agenda
Thanks Jacob for addressing this.
$10 coffee
$20 beers
$30 cocktails
$10 towel fees
$50 resort fees
$30 parking fee
Me and others are Done With This
$10 water
Nothing succeeds like excess/Oscar Wilde
You're done Vegas, you're water is going away
@@Ravioli-uw9uy Too Funny: I did buy the $10 water in front of Harrahs. $9.00 coffee at Bally's. You are so spot on.
You forgot to mention they charge u if u take anything out of the hotel refrigerator
As a local, this is why I insist that people visiting me avoid the strip and visit the local casinos. However, even the local ones are getting shady
With local hotel casinos- Boyd Gaming, Stations Casinos, etc- what's getting shady?
Shady is the name of the game in 2022.
I recommend people visiting nature that we have to offer.
TOTALLY!!!
@@donovanchildress6963 I agree. Last year was the first time I visited Vegas was last year. We stayed at the Luxor and from the top of the parking garage I looked west at the mountains. So I started looking on Google maps and saw Mt Charleston so I started looking on RUclips for videos about Mt Charleston. We came back at Christmas and drove up to the Spring Mountain Visitor Center where it was snowing. I think it's just over 6000 ft there. Now I went down the Kenny Veach rabbit hole and want to visit Desert National Wildlife Refuge. I find the desert a nice contrast to the mosquito filled swamps in my area.
I used to live in Vegas. I got out in 95. It was horrible when I left. I can only imagine all the nickel and dimming out there now. The big rip-off with the locals back then was getting repair work on your car. The mechanics would add on things and actually mess up your car to make you pay $100’s of dollars for car repairs. One guy who was a local pulled up with his sporty car and refused to let the mechanic work on his car unless he could watch them in the actual garage. They said to him, the customers can’t stay in the actual garage for insurance purposes. He got in his car and took off. There were gangs back then, along with homeless people and many crazy people. I met some really cool friends who worked with me in the casino but I’m glad I left. Vegas is one big ripoff. Most of the friends I made, moved back to their hometowns just like me. It’s very transit. Many times, a husband and wife would move to Vegas, only to have one stay and the other one go back home. I don’t recommend even vacationing there.
In the 2000s, the prevalent scam to new residents was the "AC Scam". Most people never run their AC outside of a few hours a month in other states. When you move to Vegas you basically run it any time you're in the car. This makes the condenser drain when you switch off your car after a while and a lot of new residents then panic seeing pools of fluid under their engine, thinking something blew.
Many shady places will charge you hundreds if not thousands to "fix" it when it's normal operation of the AC system. They almost got me when I moved there but I was thankfully saved by a friendly email after I posted about it on CL.
I lived there from '91 to '96 and couldn't leave fast enough. That breakfast that costs you $50 nowadays back then cost $.99. And it was a good and filling breakfast.
Yeah, I was drawn there for the affordability and steady hotel jobs but learned so enough, Vegas is different when living there than vacationing for a weekend.
I envy you so much! We just came here in 2020 because my husband's family is here. On the east side 😞. I hate it.
You are 100% right. 32 trips to Vegas. I stopped going when the resort fee and parking fees started. Clearing being ripped off.
How was it not clear the gambling was ripping you off?
@@DrSchor Firstly, gambling is optional. Secondly, people who do gamble, would feel better about losing money gambling if they also weren't getting ripped off everywhere else and, maybe even got a good deal on meals, entertainment and accommodations.
@@DrSchor because gambling is a form of entertainment. I enjoy time spent at a good table with other folks and have met interesting people that way. As long as I lose money slowly enough, it doesn’t bother me because I specifically budget what I gamble.
If you shaft me for $50/day in fees before I can even get to my room, that significantly cuts into what I’d be willing to play. A typical budget for me would be $150-$200/day, but now it’s closer to $80-$100 because of fees, which isn’t worth sitting down with $25 table minimums (vs $5 or $10 in days past).
@@DrSchor controlled dice shooter. they aren't ripping me off. the resort fee is a charge for stuff most if not all the people never use. that's the very definition of a ripped off.
I used to visit Vegas for sports betting. Now my home state offers sports betting. There really is no reason for me to visit Vegas. Whatever I can do in Vegas I can do at home now. And I don't have to pay those stupid fees.
You must bet a lot😅
You can cook at home too. Just forget about the social aspect and experience of leaving the house…..
@@Oppinnindi but he said he goes for sports betting not social interaction.
@@Oppinnindi what the fuck does cooking at home have to do with sports betting?
@@treasurewuji8740 Especially with the start of football season.
The last few times I’ve been in Las Vegas I’ve felt not only squeezed but scammed and cheated. It’s overt and I’m not dealing with it.
It really is a waste of time but some people go so they can look good on Instagram
Yeah, I just came back from Vegas a few months ago, and I was blown away by how expensive it is now. A cheeseburger cost me $18 at the Casino cafeteria. The CAFETERIA. A burger with the lot was $24. Last time I went, I could get a decent meal for $12. This story is repeated with just about everything else this time round.
I never go anymore even before the pandemic. I go to Henderson if I need to do work anywhere around there.
Was there last month as well for my kids spring break. I couldn’t believe the costs. We stayed at the Mandalay Bay and two Icey drinks for my kids and one beer was 44.00. We did t go out to eat one time at the restaurants in the resort that didn’t come to 100 for the three of us. As a single dad I was thinking I might as well have went to Disneyland.
Sane bs in the uk
The travel industry as a whole is bad, not just Vegas...Look at what Disney has done, and people still pay, National Parks have gone self service and people go to them to dump trash...Vacations are tricky these days! There isn't a good answer to this, other then,book a hotel, go eat, swim, go home. God forbid if you attend a baseball game, concert etc, those people want All you Money! The Old Days are gone....
indeed, this country is going down the toilet very fast.
Make sure you eat at McDonald's, or at another cheap restaurant.
Not only is it a giant ripoff now in terms of pricing, its more dangerous outside of the hotels with the army of meth head homeless outside of every hotel demanding money the police can't contain... walking around outside of Cancun is a safer option.
Social media & the government ruined the fun all thanks to man made covid & monkeypox
Bro I live in Ireland. We are now the NO.1 most expensive country in EUROPE. 2 nights in a hotel in Ireland would cost 980 euro. 2 nights in Paris is 520. This country is ridiculous. I can only imagine what Vegas is like.
The 100k Ukrainians that just landed definitely doesn't help as we are also in a housing crisis.
So sad to confirm that everything in Vegas now is a complete shameless ripoff. I have some great memories of epic fun trips from years ago. But now, it's all over. DO NOT GO TO LAS VEGAS. 😞
Same here, the 70's, 80's and 90's were wonderful.
Atlantic City NJ 2006 (Tropicana and Caesar's) Boardwalk the "Projects" is worse than Vegas, with serial killer in the news, dumping hookers' bodies along main highway creek into A.C.
I live in Vegas. I go to the strip at least once a month. Best city in the world. You'd be an ignorant fool to say don't come to Vegas.
@@player6970 I first went in 1988. My best memories from probably from the late 90’s through until 2013. I last went in 2018 and still had a brilliant time even though it cost me more money. Quite a bit of that was down to the exchange rate. However, I figure out that you only live once
I live here and i 100% agree
Went to vegas first time in 5 years last week. Everything in this video is true.
- Parking your car at casino went from free to as much as $40
- Cocktail waitress drinks now half the size as before, in order to generate multiple orders for multiple tips
- Resort Fees were higher than the hotel rate where i stayed
- At resort pools about 90% of space is for cabana and daybed rentals which cost $40 - $100+ . Very few free loungers to lay down on, which all get taken quick and farther from pools. This used to be FREE now its a hustle. Shouldnt a lounger by pool be part of the RESORT FEES?????
- Hustlers along the strip trying to get you to take their music CD's then pressure (or intimidate) you into giving them a donation for it
- Costs for food are crazy everywhere along the strip, even the not so high end places. Example : A simple ham and cheese wonder bread sandwich plastic wrapped in the Flamingo sundry shop was $14!!!!!
- Tips expected everywhere, even at counters where you order through a machine yourself and pick up your own food to sit in a food court.
- Comps non-existant for mid-rollers now. Used to be easy to get a free lunch buffet or basic show tickets for someone playing regular $15-25 per hand blackjack. You mean squat now.
- While not everywhere the pit boss and dealers I was playing at Harrahs and Linq were much less friendly than before. Seemed annoyed i asked for a player card to be generated and after waiting 25 minutes while playing and losing my bankroll doing so I asked how long the card would take and he got upset with me, and whole time the dealer barely said word to me ( i was only player at table). I didnt feel like waiting for that card and decided it doesnt matter Im not putting another nickel into that place so it doesnt matter.
To be fair some of the higher end places did still have better atmosphere and value if you can afford it (Aria, Bellagio), but the Ceasars resorts were absolutely terrible (Harrahs, Linq, Flamingo)
I've got a trip planned and checked parking at my hotel. If I'd booked for a month later I'd have been hit with parking fees. Insane. I have a feeling this'll be my last trip to LV given that I don't like having to guard against being fleeced.
Because of war the prices are high everywhere , and those who were supporting the war are now paying for it. In UK in winter time the max one would pay for gas for 24 hours none stop heating for a single bed flat for a month around 50 pounds but when the war started it reached 250 pound per month.
On my 21st birthday 7 years ago, a small bottle of advil was $25. It's always been like this for tourists
Watch the CD salesmen, they have the same hustle in N.Y., figuring that a tourist won't listen to it until after he/she has flown home. Could be blank or just full of gobbledygook. 😁
Yes the ordering through a kiosk thing annoys the hell out of me. At some places now you can't use a credit card and talk to a cashier, you have to order through a kiosk. Then you are still expected to tip!
Truer words have never been spoken. Went in Oct 2020, free parking everywhere and everything was still obtainable. Returned in April ‘23 & couldn’t believe how expensive everything is. $25-$30 parking, no more free valet, food is up 3-4x the price and drinks, I’ll stay sober. My son chose the wrong time to move there bc now I’m stuck paying all this when I visit 😞
You don't have to stay on the strip
Sad but true. I've been to Vegas about 15 times over my 35 years on this planet. After my April 2022 trip I'm tapping out, I'm done. Spent about $3000 on meals and drinks for a 4 night trip. Adios Vegas!
Yeah I spent 3k in 4 days as well
@@mrdune5479 Agree. Just got back. If it doesn't change I'll never go back!!!
Tienes razon amigo es un robo y la Fremont ni hablar ESO una de marguana q te duermen y los ladrones baratos en las calles yo no recomiendo ESTA calle yo vivo en las Vegas hace mucho tiempo y es una porqueria la drogas q hay y lo peor q los casino's como California, Fremont son unos ladrones y descriminan a los hispanos por no hablar Ingles
Jeezus I just went for a month and spent about $1000 on food and drinks, eating well and drinking more that I should have. That's on you, not Las Vegas.
@@MeMe-in8tj there's not a chance that you went out every night and ate at a restaurant for a month on $1,000... You're also not realizing I counted hotel and flights for 2 in my price lol. Even subway cost my wife and I 40 bucks there
You sure hit the nail on the head. I used to absolutely love going to Vegas. That was back in the day when the rooms, food, night clubs, and shows were very affordable and the streets weren't overgrown with tacky kiosks, food vendors, and homeless people. The resorts were well maintained and gorgeous, unlike today with countless homeless everywhere, cracked sidewalks, and paintless, dirty, worn down resorts. I now prefer staying off the strip and just go to the strip once or twice to see any new changes. I just feel that if I pay a ton of money I should get a clean room, well maintained resort, good customer service, a sense of security, and a homeless free entrance to my resort.
Thank you Brenda!
OFF THE STRIP is my mantra! You show me a person who likes (loves) Vegas off the strip and I'll show you a Vegas Veteran. I hang out at Gordon Biersch's (religiously), Bahama Breeze and Silver Sevens. Ellis Island too. Most of the time, I can't wait to get the hell off the strip. That's how we roll!!
THERE IS 0 SECURITY IN LAS VEGAS.THERE IS NOTHING IN PLACE TO STOP THE NEXT IDIOT.
@@MegaMkmiller same here. Eat, gamble and stay off the strip. Last 10 years I’ve stayed at the Platinum which is literally on the doorstep of Ellis Island. I can usually get a suite there for around the price of a regular room on the strip
Yup, we’ve been here 11 years and never stay on The Strip or even visit much. We like Fremont and some other local properties.
I was there this year and it was a homeless dude laying on the corner, on top of a blanket, naked, eating chips… that shit is forever stuck in my head 🫣🤦🏾♂️😓
The Mob ran Vegas era was superior to this clown show they have today. Thanks for the honest video.
Mobsters have integrity
Corporations are shameless
I'm in vegas right now and I totally agree with the increased prices, resort fees, and squeezing every penny out the tourist. Those girls that dress up in costumes on the street had asked me to take a picture then, told me a picture is based on donation and what ever you can give. After using my phone to take the picture, they tell me it was $90 for me and my two kids. I was pressured by the girls for $90, which I couldn't give anyway, but they ended out getting $25 from me. The girls said its unfair that only one girl gets 20 and the other gets 5 and they cant split the money in half or get change. The way they cornered me and constantly begged for an additional $20 i was caught off guard and didn't know what to say, i wasn't expecting this at all and definitely felt dumb. But the resort fee was $44.22 daily & that is ridiculous! Im here for 7 days and the hotel fee is almost 90% of the total of my room bill
Tell them to piss off or you’ll get the police.
I'd rather give $20 to rent a homeless box
I'd rather wipe my ass with a $20 bill. In fact I would like to do it and then hand it to them.
That sort of aggressive panhandling is not only illegal, but it ruined the concept of costumed character photo posing on the Hollywood Boulevard sidewalks, not to mention Times Square, and of course the Vegas Strip.
It was originally just a concept for those looking to make a little extra money by posing for tips, done typically by out of work actors, dancers, models, etc. But it was ruined by the trouble makers.
So true!!!
What a miserable police officer. They seem to forget that unless they are actively dealing with a threat, they should be friendly and helpful to everyone they come into contact with.
That was actually a Security Officer.
Mall security... not a cop
They are supposed to be courteous not necessarily friendly.
That was Paul Blart's grouchy sister. A lot of those security guards have attitudes because they were rejected by the police departments.
I didn't think she was being rude. It seemed to me more like she just didn't expect me to engage her in conversation.
The fact that majority of restaurants and bars automatically add 15% "Gratuity" then tell you to tip on top of the tip they automatically add to your bill. That shit pisses me off
Well, normal gratuities 20% so you would add 5% more. Many people in Vegas live off Tips and a lot of places add gratuity.
From 2004-2012 we would visit Vegas from SoCal once or twice every month. More in the summer months. Right around 2013 we noticed the corporate greed really begin to takeover. By then nearly every hotel on the strip was charging the resort fees. Yet, from 2013-2016 we still would make the drive 10-15 times every year because you could just refuse to pay the resort fees, and the desks usually waived them for you. Especially when they saw your players' card status. We'd still hit the $5-$10 mins blackjack tables, win, lose, get comped and it was a great time. Our friends that didn't play would stand behind us for many hands, cheering.
Yet, that all began to really change right around 2016. Resorts started charging ridiculous parking fees. Spas and gyms no longer let you visit unless you were staying at that particular hotel. The attractiveness level of the staff significantly plummeted (Sorry woke ppl, but Vegas is unique. Visitors expect the best looking women and men at the casinos. Losing or winning, with something pleasing to the eyes, it keeps us in our seats spending money) to near Laughlin levels of unattractiveness.
After the pandemic, we went a few times in 2021 and now 2022. Sadly, we don't desire to go back. Players' Clubs are meaningless now. Comps are non-existent. Attractive waitresses that are funny and talkative for that extra tip are gone. Good luck getting more than 3 drinks now even within a 30 minute span of consistent playing at the tables. Worst of all, I think they told all the dealers to no longer be as talkative or helpful. In the past, when newbies would sit at the table, some aholes would scoff and leave, but the dealers would be welcoming, talkative and give them pointers time-to-time. Or even let us vets help them. Now it's like a Nazi assembly line almost. Good luck finding a $10 min table at the nicer casinos as well. Those are gone forever. And if your non-playing friends stand behind you, the pit bosses really hate that now. Ruins the fun. We don't plan on ever entering the WSOP so calm the F down and let us have fun again, please.
The thing is we always went knowing we would more than likely end up losing. So we'd always take that amount with us prepared to lose. Spend hours upon hours at the $5-$10 min tables having a blast even if we lost.
Can't do that anymore, and unless there's a major takeover of all the Strip casinos by Individuals that actually get back to the roots, those days are gone forever, and Vegas will be left for the 1% only. Sadly, i think this is the goal though. Covid was the excuse many casinos needed to get rid of the Buffets. Which also gets rid of clientele the casinos hate. People that only come for the buffet and don't gamble at all.
It's really sad more than anything....extremely sad.
The most honest video I have seen from a Vegas RUclipsr! Thank you! I’m 23 and remember the first time I came to Vegas when it first opened up. I was walking around with 10k in my pocket . I would never do this now a days. When I stayed in August I went down to breakfast and left to do not disturb sign on my door. I mistakenly left my money out came back up to the room to find a housekeeper standing there right over my money. Luckily I counted it and it was all there but i definitely learned my lesson.
You're welcome Shane!
High Five to Jacob for this video. It should be required viewing for anyone wanting to visit Las Vegas. Specifically the resort fees and the strip restaurant CNF fees. Shame on Nevada authorities for allowing the rip off fees. With CNF fees, customers can legally refuse to pay them, you can fight back, but it's a joykill when you're on vacation.
What's CNF?
@@otrebla8944 Per the LA Times: A new, sneakier fee is creeping onto Las Vegas restaurant menus at an alarming rate. The CNF fee or “Concession and Franchise Fee” amounts to a 4.7-5% fee tacked onto your final bill… for nothing. Frustratingly, there is barely a mention of this fee as it typically gets buried in the fine print of a menu.
@@emailuser8668 thanks.
@@emailuser8668 so can you just verbally fight it right there? How would you go about it?
@@emailuser8668 I wouldn't know: I haven't had a dinner (of significance) on the strip in about 15 years or so. Dinner on the Las Vegas strip is for fools. Unless it is one HELL of a bargain. The top of the Strat or whatever. 😁
I went to Las Vegas in June and was astonished how crappy it has become. I went to Fremont Street and felt so unsafe. Homeless, drug addicts, and people asking for money. It looked somewhat run down too. Another thing I noticed was there use to be deals on drinks and food. Those are all gone. The hotel that I stayed at charged me a daily parking fee and of course a resort fee. Our room didn't even have a mini fridge. I'm sure that was done to discourage us from bringing our own food. The food too was incredibly expensive. I bought a 10oz. piña colada for $10. Rip-off! The only reason I went to Las Vegas was for my wife. I never want to go back. Total rip-off.
I’m sorry but when has Fremont ever not been run down? I was born & raised in Vegas and have never known it to be anything other than a dump lol I’m genuinely amazed that this is surprising for tourists. Y’all were always in danger 💀
@@longlivebeans Thank you for your response. I agree.
Why did you allow yourself to be ripped off by a 10 dollar pina colada? Why did you just not buy it?
Now Fremont Street is full of drunk idiots who just want to listen to those stupid concerts. I'm sure there are lots of pickpockets in those crowds too.
Honestly Fremont in 2019 was just okay. It was fun enough back then to make up for its dirtiness. Now, the homelessness and crime is just no where worth it to me. Yes it’s changed since Covid!
The world, let alone places like Vegas will never be "normal" again. This is deliberate
Ha ha I see a tin foil hat🤦🏽♂️
Agreed…corporations are using Covid still as an excuse to price gouge
"I've got one that can see." 😎
Wake up and open your eyes & ears to the *truth*
@@evilshogunmaster How do you know? We are allowing millions of illegals flood into the nation. It's deliberate.
I've only been to Vegas once in 2009. I stayed at the Four Queens for $17/night and free parking was everywhere. I was trying to plan a trip right before the pandemic started and I couldn't believe the prices at that time. I decided not to go, then the pandemic started. I kind of thought about planning another trip, but I guess I'll wait a few years if this is the state of things. Honestly, I was quite surprised how expensive it was in 2009 and I couldn't believe a beer was $10 included taxes and tip at a bar in the MGM. I think Vegas was better when the mob ran everything rather than the corporations that run it now. I have no interest in going to Vegas currently.
It certainly was safer when the mob ran the Casinos.
Bring back the Mob!
@@kenkaufman9998 would've been cool to have seen some of those atomic bomb tests as well
May 1073, I stayed at The Mint downtown. Breakfast buffet was 49 cents. Lunch buffet was 79 cents. Dinner buffet was 99 cents. Steak and eggs in the coffee shop was $1.49. Just sayin....
When I was a child growing up in the Vegas area during the 1960's-70's I was in no danger of being harmed, there were no gangs and any "riff raff" that caused any trouble, it was dealt with by a certain "Security" Until the feds showed up and removed this necessary evil.
I am from Italy and visited Las Vegas in June 2022. I prepared 1 year in advance and was shocked what I saw when I got there. Love Las Vegas but every you mentioned in this video I experienced 1st hand. It's time the tourists speak up about it so changes can be made. Change is good!
Like they say vote with your feet. As long as people keep coming the casino owners will continue to rip everyone off. I remember seeing Dion Warwick at a dinner show in the 80s for $25. Now they don't have dinner shows and a ticket would cost$175. Las Vegas used to be a great bargain now it is a great ripoff.
@@richardplantan4375 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻💯💯💯
Change? You are lucky to leave with your ass in your hand.
@@mikelight495 in what sense do you mean? My ass in my hand?
@@nechelberryjr it is a term that you will be lucky to have that when you leave. You will be broke. It is almost impossible to win. How do you think that pay for all that glitz & luxury. Nothing personal. It is the environment. It is o.k. all long as you gamble responsible. All vacations cost. e.g taking a cruise on a environmentally destructive floating toilet. disney. Superbowl. Whatever floats your boat. What you enjoy.
That was enlightening. Thanks so much for the brutal honesty. Those big corporations are unknowingly digging their own graves with their actions.
I work for the biggest food company on the planet and I can honestly say that even they are digging their own graves. Box tickers are destroying the world
Vegas might be trying to just keep the wealthy coming and there seems to be plenty of wealth being created in today’s world.
I've lived in Vegas 8 years now and you're not wrong. I avoid the strip and downtown, too much sketchy stuff happens.
You should sell me your house!?
STINKY STRIP..BAD 👃
I lived in Summerlin for three years and there were burglaries and home invasions there as well. Glad we moved out of Clark County.
Thank you so much for this! I've been a regular visitor since the '80s. I know the city well enough to understand the ins and outs of the Strip and the history of it all, but not well enough to track the details you describe. This information is invaluable - again, thanks!!
Last summer I took my family and a friend with their family. We walked the strip the first night and couldn't believe all the homelessness and how dirty everything was. There were bums having absolute screaming breakdowns in front of the thousands of tourists walking by. WTF. We won't be going back for a LONG time.
Honestly that’s america
@@docholliday3666 Broadway has a hard time filling dude your trolling are you even in ny? Dead wrobg
@@docholliday3666 have you went to Broadway shows it’s pact
@@docholliday3666 meet Broadway shows try going to the lion king that shit isn’t cheap
@@zo62 wrobg is dead wrong
Great video! I totally agree with everything you said. I live in Chicago and have been going to Vegas every year for the past 31 years, but I don't think I'll be going to Vegas this year or next. I can't believe casinos are charging for parking. If it wasn't for Ellis Island, I don't think I would've gone the past few years. E.I. has great food and drink at very reasonable prices.
Oh hell yeah. Ellis Island rocks. Fun place, nice locals, and low table limits. 😄😄😄😄😃
THANK YOU for this honesty!! Homelessness, mental illness and drug addiction are real world problems that need empathy and action. But when did camping in tents on the sidewalk in front of The Flamingo Hotel become acceptable?!?!
Well, we are getting that same problem in Atlantic Canada as well: tent people, an increase in bums, drug problems, an increase in panhandling, and unsanitized parts of town. I was in Vegas last year, and compared to here, the fast food places were terribly dirty, staffed by illegals who spoke poor English. Most everywhere was, including the hotels. It wasn't unlike here at all in that regard, just more overt.
Gotta love how the new Virgin Hotel pitched itself as having no resort fees, than within a year they added them.
Just like satalite radio. No commercials till there were.
I took my son to Vegas for his 21st birthday 2 weeks ago, it was far more expensive than when I last went 9 years before. So many fees, the casinos didn't have the same sound or feel. I won't be going back for quite a while, if ever.
We no longer go to Vegas because there is zero value.
Add Disney to that list as well. 🥲
16K 😨😰😭 they should have begged for you to stay you deserved way more hospitable experience than that
Sad to hear. I went over 15 years ago and it was beautiful
Dad of The Year Award. For introducing his newly adult son to gambling, drinking, strip clubs and girls to your room. Were you really surprised that becomes expensive?
It used to be that Vegas gave visitors great value in terms of food and entertainment, in order to entice people to gamble. If they've taken that aspect away then I have to agree, that there is no reason to go there.
We're frome New Zealand and visited Vegas for the first time in 2019.
I see people commenting here about homeless people hassling for money on the streets, but we encountered scammers inside the shopping areas of the Venetian, Caesars Palace etc.
If we politely ignore them and carried on walking, some would start shouting abuse at us (I think to try and get a reaction).
I felt really stupid on our first morning in Vegas, we were staying at the Palazzo and wandered through the Venetian shops looking for a place for breakfast.
We passed a make-up shop and one of the sales assistants was in the doorway and seemed friendly as she made a few suggestions on where to eat.
Next minute I was in one of her chairs having product slapped over my face 😂
I quickly realized that something was dodgy, as there were around 4 guys hanging around behind the counter offering their opinions, with absolutely no other customers around at all.
I managed to extricate myself from the situation and as soon as the sales girl realized she wasn't going to make a sale, her attitude quickly became pretty salty.
We spent 4 nights in Vegas altogether and it was 3 nights too many..... never again.
Lol that's like going from the shire to mordor
@@stellviahohenheim certainly was 😅
money is the disgtace of humanity
Yea the aggressive sales tactics and scams on the strip has gotten completely out of hand.
During my recent three day weekend there, I did not encounter one uniformed cop on the strip or in any of the shopping areas. And we were out and about non stop.
They need to have visible police presence to deter all the aggressive scammers.
@@stellviahohenheim Lol wow.
Greedy corporations and shareholders raise praises and squeeze (number of) employees. Eventually this will backfire and people just stop coming.
Love your channel by the way.
I visited in April, 2022. I can confirm, the luster has definitely worn off. Gangsters/homeless are seemingly hanging around every street corner on the strip. Nearly every meal was over $100 for two people. Casinos nickle and diming, squeezing customers as much as possible and not comping like they used to. It just was not enjoyable this time.
It's a sad reality, but no problem, plenty of other places to go.
It’s always them
I am from New Orleans and basically the same thing is happening here.
SOOO TRUE
Bingo. Gambling and basically donating them money I mean if you dont offer comps and enticements why go there? You can gamble anywhere now
The luster is still there if you don’t expect to get a steak meal for 5.99. Days when the MOB stole from and created venders so people could get fat on $10 buffet is over. Nothing worse that whiny people complaining about the GOOD OLD DAYS. The exact same complaints were said in the 90s.
I live in LV and have for almost 30 years. You have hit on everything wrong with this city. I’m embarrassed to live here. The homeless situation is beyond anything I could have ever imagined and the city does nothing.
The city is protecting the American Way, just like Superman does. Everyone is free to do nothing and be homeless. Said The Most Popular Amercian Singer ever, Bing Crosby: "Every one is free to roam and not be fenced in."
You should be embarrassed to demand that others lock themselves in at night.
Well, they did rename the airport after Filibuster Harry Reid.
They don't care. I just moved from Vegas 4 months ago. I've never seen homelessness like that in my entire life.
They housed all of those Ukrainians, but don't give a damn about the people, AMERICANS, already there
The homeless situation was bad last year, but even downtown in my home Staye has got worse and we never go down there. Governors don't realise, do nothing lose money
Your video was right on point, but it left out a few things that are rip-offs and have changed from years ago. I used to go to Vegas 2, 3, or 4 times a year back in the 1990's to about 2003/4 and back then the shows were cheaper, and you could win just a little bit of money. A little bit would be maybe $2-300. to $500. My last trip there was 4 yrs. ago and I swore that I will never go again. Its no longer anywhere near as nice as it once was. From the street vendors, the time-share sellers hounding you, the resort fees, higher prices for buffets and even higher on weekends, outrageous prices for show tickets, rip-offs on rental cars and parking, and a general feeling that you are not safe walking the Strip day or night. Vegas was much nicer before the corporations took over from the mob.
To be fair, if you’re looking for an affordable vacation to a casino just go to a local casino near you. Time & place for everything, Vegas hasn’t been known as an affordable vacation destination for years unless you’re planning to stay at lower end properties.
Biloxi, tunica Mississippi are nice
@@jmc7504 😳
This guy is 100 percent right! IThe last 3 decades I have travelled to the strip multiple times and It is not what it once was. My last visit was just before the pandemic and I was quite shocked how much change and overly expensive it has become. Prepare yourself if you go there and if the financials do not bother you, then best of luck to you. Once again great and accurate depiction.
I worked in a casino about a quarter century ago, owned by one of the old timers in the industry.
The policy was that casinos could lose money on hotel rooms, food, beverage and even shows -- just to keep people on their premises to gamble. Gaming profits were the focus while everything else was pretty much promotion.
Now that bean counters have taken over the industry, look for a gradual but steep decline in Nevada's gaming tourism and a rise in legalized, non-resort casinos in other states.
The fish rots from the head down as they say. Corporate knuckle draggers are destroying the world.
We have casinos here in Minnesota. You are given comps when you join the club. They also offer bowling, golf, and bingo. There is also a cruise around the lake.
Wish I had looked into this before going to Vegas.
@@lucretiaelliott155 Yes, Nevada gaming establishments have changed drastically over the last quarter century from the perspective of inexpensive rooms, inexpensive food and comps. It's only a question of greed; when they stay busy the money they make on gambling is huge. By taking away the incentives for going there they are likely losing more in lost gaming revenues than they are bringing in by making people's stay much more expensive. Today, you probably get a better deal in Minnesota or other states where casinos are legal than in Vegas, Reno or Tahoe and if you live in the state, it's even cheaper because you don't have to fly there.
“Only an idiot would come to Las Vegas…”
“Should you come to Las Vegas? ABSOLUTELY!”
On our last visit to Vegas and we have been going to Vegas for over 20 years, we felt everything you talked about. We decided to remove Vegas from our list of places to visit and no longer go to Vegas. There are 100's of places to visit in the good old USA that afford you a much better value.
Right about that
Like where?
Where do you suggest?
Why would you continue to keep going to THE SAME tourist trap when there's 100's of places to visit right here in the USA?! Must be one of them gambler's that are like a moth to a Flame
@@solo_dolo8184 Lille where
Charging resort fees while not providing even the most basic amenities such as parking and Wi-Fi is criminal.
Probably your best video to date, and spot on. I came to Vegas 5 times last year, and have pretty decent earned status with the two major players. This year, just one stay and just cancelled our November trip. Overall, the value just isn't worth it - and the weed smell and the overwhelming homeless/scammers really is a downer. I don't know if anyone else notices, but the amount of trash on the sidewalks and overall cleanliness is just bad. I absolutely love Vegas, but it doesn't seem like a fun vacation anymore - more bad than good
You went to Las Vegas five times last year and you're complaining about this? Yeah you got no right.
Yeah the weed definitely ruined Vegas 😂
Another cry baby who'd rather the gaging lingering smell of cigarettes. And 5 times in a 12 month span? You may need help with that gambling problem
Yes you should probably visit the moon that seams logical 😆
@@reillgmv8050 I just can't stand when rich people complain
I stayed in Las Vegas last Xmas. The resort fees, parking fees, high prices for food, shows, etc, had me muttering I wont be back till everythings remedied. And I was Pro Vegas.
As a local, we visit the Strip way less now since they started charging for parking.
Totally agree. Our average visit is 3-5 days ; we used to enjoy a few upscale dinners each visit but have cut back to 1-2 per visit. I get comp rooms and don’t pay resort fees or parking- thank god. My biggest issue is crime and customer service. The gambling is ridiculous- lost the most money ever last year. Thank you for speaking out loud about these issues
lmao silvia you paid 50x parking and resort fees to get to your comp level.
You lose money gambling because the casino is feeling the squeeze and programming their machines accordingly.
@@RogueStatusX With the MGM credit card you can be gold with just your normal daily purchases.
@@RogueStatusX I have spent maybe $2500 in actual cash. I have gotten thousands back in comps. When gambling, your losses aren't how many dollars rotated through. Just the actual cash invested. Get a few good hits and that money is the same as real money, but isn't a loss to you if you then use those winnings to play. Sometimes something hits, sometimes you just stop at break even and try again another day.
I am only out $2500 from initial investment this year and a couple times I decided to risk more on a machine that didn't pan out for the given visit.
$2500 is far less than a timeshare. But for MGM and Ceasars alone, I have many destination options, not just Vegas., and most are comped for at least 4 nights, zero resort fee, and often a nice set of freeplay and resort credit.
@@jayce8001 dude im a Noir member, you aint getting SHIT for freeplay with mgm at gold. 150 a visit max. the only way you've gotten 'thousands back' in comps outside of rooms is if youve put over 150,000+ coin in/coin out mgm rewards are based off that now lol and have been since beginning of the year
Just left Vegas. First time visiting. This video is 100% accurate. It was SO EXPENSIVE! Homeless people everywhere. The smoking did it for me. Got sick from the constant cigarette smells . Not planning to visit again.
I wouldn’t. No way. Why bother?!
"Make little people feel like big people." I remember walking into a St. Louis region casino. They checked my driver's license-ID, then twenty steps later they greeted me by my name and said how wonderful it was to have me here. It works for all people - big and little.
I took advantage of the desperate situation in Las Vegas in 2020 and 2021. I went to Las Vegas four times. Free rooms and cheap flights.
I also went during the " Covid" scare days.. ( 4 trips actually ) Vegas was awesome! 3 nts, comped ( all trips ), parking Comped, air was cheap and airport was DEAD. no crowds anywhere :o), I will never go back now. Bye Bye Vegas....
@@tara607 I also enjoyed Las Vegas even with the restrictions and the lack of shows. There is always something fun and unique to do in Vegas. I’m glad that you didn’t let fear stop you from enjoying yourself.
The main reason they leave up the Now Hiring signs up is to head off the customers irritation, even though the business has no intention of Hiring. They want to do more with less.
Great video Jacob. Vegas resident since 1998. My Jeep is packed. My belongings are in storage. I'm heading to north Nevada to go camping and find my piece of "middle of nowhere" Vegas sucks now. I wouldn't work for any of these greedy corporate assholes if they paid me 100k a year. Not knowing it came from duped tourists. This place is evil 🙏🇺🇸
🙏🇺🇸❤️👦🏻
Good riddance. 👏
I was randomly looking up “Vegas vacation” movies scenes and saw this video. Oddly enough I just went to Vegas for EDC earlier this year. And you’re not kidding on any of the stuff you have said. Absolutely mind blowing.
How I came across this video too.
When I visited Vegas for the first time 15 years ago on a family trip I felt so safe! I was a 25 year old woman and the security guards at the hotel we stayed at took it upon themselves to look out for me anytime I was alone, walking me to elevators, giving me tips and pointers. This June I wanted to take a trip alone to see a comedian touring and picked Vegas assuming I would have the same sense of security and MAN I WAS WRONG. I stayed at the Plaza downtown and knew downtown could be dangerous but still assumed there would be good security at least in the hotel. On my 3rd night the room adjoining mine had an angry violent man in it who was smoking what I assume was crack or meth (didn't recognize the smell so it wasn't pot or cigarettes). Clouds of smoke poured into my room from our adjoining door as he ranted and banged on things. I started to get scared cuz I was alone with only a push lock between us. So I called security and instead of reassuring me or asking for details the guy mocked me. He demanded to know which room I was in and I said I didn't want the angry guy to turn on me for reporting him so if they went and gave him a warning I would be more at risk cuz he'd figure out the adjoining room complained. Security guy got mad at me for saying this. I asked to speak to someone else and he threw the phone in anger at someone. I asked why he was so upset at me just cuz I am scared. The security woman said he wasn't upset and it was all in my head. She then said they can see my room # on the phone and were sending police up to give the guy a warning whether I like it or not. So why did the first guy get so upset that I wouldn't give my room # if you can see it? Anyways I waited and didn't hear anything...the guy seemed to calm down although my whole room smelled like god knows what he was smoking. After 30 mins of nothing I phoned down to followup. The first guy answered again and told me they came up and didn't hear or smell anything. I said my whole room stinks so could I change rooms? He said to ask front desk. Front desk wouldn't answer for like an hour and once I got through they were like "we have no empty rooms and it's 11pm so nobody would be available to clean your current room if we moved you." The first part was a clear lie...they definitely didn't have a packed house and not sure what the second part has to do with anything. They could have cleaned my room the next day before the next people checked in. I told her I felt unsafe and my whole room smells like crack or meth or something so what am I supposed to do? She replied "whatever you want to do". What the actual fuck! So yea....don't go to Vegas alone or maybe even at all. Security and hotel workers no longer give an eff about your safety and comfort!! Never felt so unsafe and uncomfortable in my life.
"I stayed at the Plaza downtown" was it cheap tho?
@@dannythemedic Less expensive than the Venetian but not the cheapest hotel on offer at all. I picked it because it was where the comedy show was held and it had historic charm. The price was comparable to The Mirage which is where we stayed 15 years ago.
I would have taken the towels (I did in 2014 because of lousy service) and pee on the carpet.
And taken a dump on the carpet💩
Anyone actually read that novel?
Can you imagine an old-time hotel/casino manager putting up with homeless people sleeping on the sidewalk or begging right outside their establishment? I can’t imagine that either.
Lefty Rosenthal wouldn't have put up with it. You can bet your ass on that.
But back then there were very little homeless around. And they were called "bums". But word would get around that you get beat up if you hang around Lefty's place so they'd avoid the area.
Would’ve never happened…
They would have dumped him in the desert
Benny Binnion would have handled the beggars and homeless HIS way.
I was talking to another local about how things are getting so expensive. He was telling me this is a sports town now that's why everything is so high lol. Living in Vegas has always been a joke, now it's just being exposed more than ever before. You should do a video on the leaky roofs in the casinos 😂
VEGAS WILL BE ANOTHER ABANDONED CITY SOON...
@@vicstar4786 Once Lake Mead dries up.
Nah. Not everything is so high. Not “everything is so high.” Not has always been a joke. Not “has always been a joke.” /
@@jordanjohnson9866 What?
Thanks to all Californians moving in
I have to agree. I visited just before the pandemic. Even then I felt that I had to be super careful all the time. I will not be going back. To me it just seemed sad. A city that could have been a real amazing spectacle, just turned out to be a place for lost souls getting ripped off.
I was just there earlier this month, and while it was an interesting experience, some of the best value I got out of Vegas was renting a car and driving to Zion National Park. I wanted to see Silk Sonic, but shitty tickets were going to run us thousands of dollars per person.
I don't understand people like you lol.
Excellent piece (and appreciate the honesty). Have been to LV several times (from the UK) but the last trip earlier this year will probably be the last. Felt totally 'nickel and dimed' at every turn. Want a lounger by the pool for you and partner? That'll be $100 please. Want to access internet and use the pool? That'll be $40+ per night as a 'resort fee' (even though elsewhere these basics are included in the room rate). It just wasn't *fun*. Who wants to feel like a big corporation has their hand in their pockets the entire time? Made to feel like we should be grateful for being allowed to be there. Well, no thanks from me. I don't know if I'll ever go back, tbh. Maybe I should be grateful I witnessed 'classic Vegas' back in '92. Hope the city bounces back...
I've lived here over 30 years. I tell people don't bother coming here. It will take decades for Vegas to recover from 2020. Plus buffets are pretty much a thing of the past. A majority of them will never reopen.
My main problem is calling The Strip "las vegas" for everything. The actual city surrounding the strip is not nearly as bad.
This video is completely accurate. I’ve been visiting Vegas since 2013. My visit in 2021 and 2022 have been the most expensive. The slots are definitely tighter, food’s more expensive, people are more aggressive (visitors and employees), I could go on. So much has changed. BUT I still love Vegas. I just won’t be visiting as often as I’d like.
Pizza shop inside the Caesers charge $63 for the whole pie! It costs less than a dollar to produce!
What
All the pizza places are crazy high.
Thank you for your honesty and for this video. It is so refreshing to hear the truth and at the same time a real eye opener and I hope this message get's out to the masses. maybe then only then will they get their prices under control if everyone uniformly boycotts places that rip them off.
Great video Jacob! We were at the Cosmo in June for 5 nights, by far the most expensive trip we ever experienced, plus the service was not very good. Prices are out of control, we normally go to Vegas 3 times a year, we decided we are going to take a break for a little while.
Honestly, I am astounded people are still coming. Unless that changes, there will be no improvement. I would never accept having to pay for parking to visit a casino. Yet, despite the complaints, it did not seem to have made a dent in their business. So of course the parking fees are staying. Same with resort fees.
Right I had a big problem with a resort fee; and nothing is added. Give me a resort experience.
CALIFORNIA HAS A FEW REALLY GOOD AWESOME CASINOS BUT WE DO HAVE TONS OF THEM PECHANGA EXCELLENT PAULA IS NICE FAMILY ATMOSPHERE MORONGO YAMAHA AND PALM SPRINGS
@@sallyannvegasbaby7878 Quit f-ing shouting.
They get back doored in Vegas then complain every time.
F corporate America.
If hotels do away with resort fees they will just raise the room rates so you'll be paying the same thing. In Vegas I can almost always get a room, on the Strip, for less than $150 a night with my Caesars or MGM reward status. That is MUCH cheaper than getting a hotel room at other U.S. tourist destinations. Granted, I am staying mid range properties, not luxury, but in Vegas I don't spend much time in my room.
I'm watching my hometown literally dissolve in madness- 4th generation born and raised - I hate what they've done! It's turning into CA junior
Elaborate. What was the difference in Vegas back then and compared to now?
@@TalkinnGrubbinMedia rent is through the roof, as well as houses, we went from 98% water in lake mead down to 25%, crime, the homeless... too many people not enough resources.
@@jenna702native Wow! How much has rent increased out there?
@@TalkinnGrubbinMedia rent for a 1bdroom was 750 to 850... now 650sq ft is about 1200 to 1300
@@jenna702native Wow! That's like paying two house notes.
Also, the reduced hours of operation of so many of the stores and restaurants since the pandemic is just ridiculous! I arrived to T.I. late after 10pm last year and if it weren't for the vending machines I would've starved to death.
Really? not eating for a few hours will cause death?
Excellent and accurate video Jacob. I think the MBA's calling the shots for all the price gouging do not realize that Vegas is rapidly approaching a point where a majority of tourist would rather visit their own local casino rather than being abused in Vegas. A good friend of mine just returned and basically reinforced everything in your video. High fees, crappy service and changes to the rules in almost all the table games that make it impossible to win. His spouse played the slots and confirmed that they simply don't pay anymore and just take your funds.
My last trip (3 months ago) - I found that if you left your hotel to walk the strip, it was very depressing. There was a HUGE population of homeless and mentally afflicted folks. I would say on average, you could not walk 100 yards without encountering 1 or 2 of these unfortunates. We stepped in to TI one afternoon, and there was many degenerate gamblers. We would be approached about every 10-15 minutes by people asking for money. Hotel security seemed to condone these actions, as they stood by and took no action.
Our hotel was also very distressed (MGM Grand). - The rooms (we had 3 rooms) were all very worn and dirty. The water was turned off one night for about 6 hours. (No compensation to the guests...We called the desk to request different rooms, and they said the best they could do was waive the resort fee for that night. They of course refused to do this when it came time to check out)
Overall, a huge disappointment on the trip. I spent over $16k on this trip in total for air, rooms, food, shows and gambling. (I treated for 6 other family members to go) and feel like the value and fun was not worth anywhere near this.
I have a couple of casinos about an hour and a half drive from us in Oklahoma that provide more value for the money. - While they do comp my room and include a couple hundred for food, the free play is not as good as Vegas. (I only get about $200 per week at these)
With that said, I will spend my money on these more local casinos, and will reduce my Vegas visits to once every 2-3 years. Now, if they clean up the strip and remodel some properties, perhaps I would switch back....Otherwise, I will stick with the Bellagio every couple-three years.
I went to Vegas not all that long ago. One thing I will say about some of the homeless I saw is at least they were honest. I saw more than one sign asking for money because they desperately wanted a beer.
I was there last month for just a day trip at the Fremont District (mistake!). There was a homeless woman in her 70’s walking around nude!!!
@@marinajane7749 Yuck, sorry you had to see that. 🙄🤕
The homeless were most likely residents who came to Vegas from out of state with promises of a better future only to encounter the stark realities of this desert mirage. I've also noticed the rise in the mental state of the afflicted in Vegas and find it alarming. If these folks were mentally challenged even somewhat before moving to Vegas, this town will only accelerate their mental state to spiral further out of control as you have clearly seen.
Can I ask what job you have to be able to spend $16k on a trip to Vegas 😂
Love all your content. We gotta shed light on shady practices!! Well done.
Jacob's way of telling why inflation is how it is now, was offputting. Vegas is dealing with 2 sets of inflation, while every where else in america is dealing with really one. Everyone is dealing with the covid inflation, the world is feeling that one, but what has been failed to mention is what is destroying vegas completely. There was a reason Vegas never had professional sports teams before 2017, a very simple reason, vegas is a really small city. We NEVER had any room or housing for a large amount of people to move here at one time. Somebody in the city hall decided, to hell with people who are under middle class and started to approve these sports teams to come to the city. Major problem with that, is that brings thousands and thousands of people to move here from other cities which it did, and all this is happening when we dont have enough housing. And guess what, rent has quadrupled, prices have even more skyrocketed. Vegas is the smallest city that has pro sports housing wise, and that small little sentence means everything. Vegas has been completetly destroyed by this very certain thing. The covid inflation , and the sports inflation hit around the same time ( as it took about 1 in a half years from when the knights got here for the inflation to get to a high point, and then of course in 2019 when the covid one hit). The raiders came a little later, and streets are now stacked with homeless. Now of course, the only people who this doesnt effect, are the people who can afford those sports tickets, and afford the quadruple rent, and thats the middle class. Theres more people in poverty which is why this is such a big issue. Vegas will never make effort to get more housing to balance it out, and they wont shut these teams down, but guess what? Planning on bringing in 2 more pro sports teams, you can only IMAGINE whats going to happen.
Went to Vegas this past October, hotel rates were insane. Midweek The Strat advertised $45 rooms, when you go to book it after all the fees it was $160 ! We stayed on the strip south of the airport for $250 a night at a corporate hotel, no pool or amenities to speak of. Not a lot of value there.
Definitely agree with everything you said! I went in 2021 and this year and even the difference between 1 year in costs, street harassment, and just the feeling like you’re being swindled was insane. I LOVE Vegas and will be back next year but I really hope to see some changes. I could not believe how many street performers and homeless people are allowed to follow/yell at/harass guests. It was extremely frustrating. I also think if you do your research and go to some of the hidden gems (both off and on strip) for entertainment/food you can have an amazing time and save some coin.
Exactly
Why go back?
@@taoist32 for the hidden gems etc she mentioned.
Jacob, would you be open to making a video on how Vegas became what it is today? Essentially the rise of corporate Vegas. Thanks again for the awesome videos!
Vegas was always a popular destination due to the fact it had the reputation as a cheap, fun place to go. If they continue this apparent price gouging, they will lose the majority of their potential visitors. Unless they ease up on these out of control prices soon, the loss of future visitors will drive prices up even higher to the point where many of these resorts will have to eventually shut down.
The room prices are not too bad. Especially if you visit during the weekdays. My only issue is the resort fees!!! So expensive!!Especially if your hotel is not the best lol
The funny thing is it’s busier than ever. If people continue to crowd there they will just continue to charge more and more because they can
some are shutting down
but more are being built
i can't figure that out
Less visitors would drive prices DOWN genius.
I was initially under the impression that capacity was lower than normal. I guess if they are back to normal capacity and people are willing to pay these prices, if you can deal with the lack of service. good luck to them. I am certainly never going back due to the prices.
This is why reno is so underrated It's just unfortunate that flights to reno cost more.
I’ve been to Vegas twice. The first was back in 1983, had a wonderful time. The service was great, the food was delicious and a bargain. The shows were very affordable.
I returned in 2011, and the city had completely transformed for the worse. The service was not just bad, it was horrible. The prices had become preposterous. Every aspect of the city had morphed into this monstrous apparatus designed to soullessly take your money the moment you got off the plane.
People seem to think that their is something unique or special about Vegas. The only only thing “special” about it now is their unparalleled ability to rip you off and treat you shabbily while doing so.
12 years ago I resolved to never come back, thinking it couldn’t get any worse. Clearly I was wrong.
In 2022 you would long for 2011. Sad.
The big corporations ruined Vegas.
@@saradecapua3264It was better when Mormons and the Mob ran it.
@@OpheliaSees I visited Vegas in the 70s and live in Vegas now It was better.
It's way worse now than 2011. 2011 is around when a lot of the scam pricing started.
I watched just to see if you mentioned "resort fees"....yep, #2. I went to Vegas in 2019 to visit my dying grandmother and had to stay way outside of town to find a hotel without a resort fee. And the rental cars were outrageous. I visited the strip one night with family and was blown away about the prices. Long gone are the all you can eat breakfast buffet for 9 bucks. This place is an absolute rip off now
Fascinating. How do you explain all the people who still go?
@@DrSchor 🤣 "fascinating". Start an argument elsewhere. Obviously other people love Vegas.
@@Acreyman Since you know that some people love vegas, and you know vegas is an absolute ripoff now, is it not fascinating that some people love to be ripped off?
Nowadays you get getting ripped off everywhere, so consider that to be a fixed cost and pick a place you think you will enjoy.
The gambling value has gone so far downhill. $50+ to get actual 3:2 blackjack. Triple zero roulette. Tight slots and video poker. And that’s not to mention how stingy the comps are now. Not too long ago I played blackjack for about 4 hours at $85 average per hand. They gave me a buy 1 get 1 buffet. In other casino towns I would be pampered like a king for that action.
Vertical monopolies and duopolies are strangling American business opportunities.
Vegas used to be a cheap trip--but even before the pandemic it was becoming so expensive you could just go to real Paris instead of Paris Las Vegas.
Thank you Jacob, for being real about Vegas! ! We were there last year, stayed at the Palazzo and it didn’t seem like the Vegas we used to love! Homeless people and the annoying smell of weed 🤮 was everywhere on the strip! Sadly, Hubby and I may not be back for awhile! We’re happy staycationing here locally in AZ ! Have a wonderful day, Jacob! You are awesome!
You're welcome LAM! I'm glad you enjoyed the video 😀
You would rather smell cigarettes huh
@@justblaze. nope, don’t like cigarette smell either
Way to go Jacob, the style of your videos is engaging, informative and at the end, uplifting. After all these years, you keep working your channel always, in all ways. The corporations, aka The Mob, will not be doing anything different because the people are still coming. They will continue with the "nickle and diming" in even more ways. It is part of your job to inform us of the next fee, better entertainment options, safety concerns and more. Love your style, your smile and "My Life in Vegas" motto. WOO HOO, give me more! 🤩
Thank you Del Lam! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Jacob, I love your videos. I have been to Las Vegas several times over the past 20 years. Now with the high fees and increased minimum bets I feel fine staying away. One way to maybe bring some concern about the ridiculous fees is to stop, or cut down, on tipping. The higher fees and food prices result in larger tips. It is like rubbing salt in the wound. The hotels might respond to their workers getting less tips because of their bogus pricing policies. The resort fee is the one that I feel is the worst. They keep going up for the same service. (Service???) At least hold back enough in tips to cover the resort fee. Make sure the server, maid, dealer or any resort employee knows why the tip is less. This might get back to the hotel.
Great video. I do live in Las Vegas, my wife works for over 25 years at Caesars and I personally think it is a shit hole right now. It lost all of it's personality, way to corporate, no room for fun and greed is just so rampant that it lost it's status.
Agreed. Not that long ago, it used to be kinda loose, easy and fun, with bargains, if you were flexible and willing to look around for them. For quite a while now, it feels more like a tourist trap with everything scientifically designed to pick your pocket. There isn't really the range for people of all budgets anymore. That with the crime and corruption has eliminated it as a destination for me, unless I'm attending a trade show or conference or specific event.
I hope Vegas don't solely depend on the convention and sports people. They, too, will cut back if Vegas don't do something with drowning people with these fees.
Agree- longing for what it was vs what it’s become -
I will be there September 7-14. I know things are different and more expensive but I got my Vegas routine. I know where to go, where to eat, and what to do. The only gambling I do is poker. Yeah, the rakes suck but that is pretty much everywhere.
I work in a store on the strip. And I gotta say things are brutal on the front lines. Between being short staffed and busy most days. I'm a part time employee that's working practically full time hours. And it doesn't show signs of improving anytime soon.
Real inflation, measured as it was 40 years ago, now is 37.2%, not 9%. The rate does not measure gas & food anymore! So it's the highest inflation in U.S. history.