Part 5/14:
This strategic pivot away from mass-market appeal has resulted in fewer active tables, reduced dealer hours, and layoffs. For front-line workers—bartenders, dealers, taxi drivers—the impact is immediate and personal. Tips are down, shifts are shorter, and the vibrant energy that once characterized the strip feels like a distant memory.
Rising Costs: Pricey Rooms, Fees, and the Erosion of the Old Vegas Magic
Traveling to Las Vegas has never been as expensive as it is today. Resort fees have surged over 11%, averaging beyond $55 a night. Budget hotels, which once catered to the middle class, are now charging upwards of $45 just for fees, with parking costs another $20-$25—a financial burden that discourages casual visitors.