15 CRAZY Las Vegas Scams, Rip-Offs, and Tourist Traps Exposed in 2023

With over 40 million visitors to Las Vegas every year looking for fun and exciting things to do, Las Vegas has its share of scams and ripoffs that you need to be aware of.  In this Las Vegas blog, we share with you 15 of the worst scams and ripoffs in Las Vegas to watch out for in 2023. 

Arriving at the Airport

1. Airport Slot Machines

For many Las Vegas tourists, their visit begins when they arrive at Harry Reid International Airport. You can’t miss the many slot machines inside the terminal beckoning you to take a chance with your luck. The truth is that the slots at the Las Vegas airport have some of the worst odds in Las Vegas. A study conducted a few years ago showed that the airport slots returned just 85% of a player’s money over time, compared to 90-92% on the Strip. 

2. Taxis

Taxis in Las Vegas are generally about 30% more expensive and Uber’s or Lyft’s. In addition, Las Vegas taxis have also been notorious for long hauling passengers (i.e. taking unnecessarily long routes to increase fares).  Las Vegas authorities have now put in place fixed taxis rates from the airport to locations on the Strip – so long hauling fortunately is no longer a significant risk from the airport but definitely watch out on other routes. 

3. "Official" Photographers 

For many visitors to Las Vegas, a photo at the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign is a must do. Just beware of “official” looking photographers who may attempt to charge you to take a photo. There are no official photographers post to the sign. It’s a scam. You can take your own photo, or ask someone in line for help taking the photo. If you do ask the “official” looking person to take it – we advise negotiating any tip in advance to avoid any awkward situation.

At Your Hotel

4. Early Check-in or Late Check-out Fees

You arrive early and check to see if you room is available. Great new, your room is ready! BUT, there’s a catch.  The hotel won’t let you in before 4:00pm, unless you pay an early check-in fee, which can easily be $50, maybe even more. This is a total scam and ripoff by the Las Vegas hotels. The same is true for late check-out – many hotels are charging high rates for a little extra time checking out in the morning even if no one is coming into room later that day. 

Keep this in mind if you decide to do a split stay – where you stay in multiple hotels during your visit – you will likely have to check-out of the first hotel by 11AM and may not be able to check-in to your new hotel until 4pm. This has happened to us many times and you just need to be ready for it. Perhaps store your luggage at the hotel and head off for an activity before coming back to check-in later in the day.

5. Resort Fees

Resort fees are a controversial subject to say the least. Resort fees allow Las Vegas hotels to publish cheaper hotel rooms rates and bury a significant added cost, which they call resort fees.  Unfortunately, almost all hotels on the Las Vegas Strip and many in Downtown now charge resorts fees. Even if your room is comped, or if you are using credit card or frequent flier points to cover the room cost, you will still likely be charged the additional resort fee, unless you have a certain status with that hotel’s loyalty program. 

6. Hotel Parking Fees 

Most hotels on the Strip are now charging parking fees. During the pandemic, most of the parking fees had been removed, but that is no longer the case. Parking fees are back! Most recently, Resort Worlds started charging for parking as well. Some of the remaining free parking hotel hold-outs on the Strip include Treasure Island, Venetian, Wynn/Encore, and Tropicana. 

7. Hotel Convenience Stores 

You are in your hotel and need some snacks or refreshments. Well, watch out for the “convenient” hotel store. The prices in hotel convenience stores are a major rip-off with prices for even just a small bottle of water often around $5-$6. Many of the hotel stores are also subject to variable or surge pricing based on hotel occupancy. Don’t buy from these stores, instead go to Target, ABC Stores, Walgreens, or CVS on the Strip.

8. Hotel Room Mini-Bar charges

The dreaded hotel mini-bar is a common ripoff at many hotels, and Las Vegas is no exception.  Unless you know that you want to spend the high price and take something from the mini-bar, we recommend that you don’t even open it.  Hotel mini-bars now often include devices that monitor if things are moved in the fridge and, if you move something, it will likely show up on your room charge. Be careful!

9. Poolside Food & Drinks

It’s great spending time poolside at your Las Vegas hotel. Just be away, that Las Vegas hotels typically won’t allow you to bring in your own food and drink to the pool. To make matters worse, poolside food and drinks are generally very expensive. We certainly enjoy poolside cocktails on occasion, but just be aware when ordering your drinks that a big bill may be on its way. 

In the Casino

10. Casino Coin Redemption Tickets

This next Las Vegas scam is aggravating. A few years ago there was apparently a coin shortage, so casinos began to issue you tickets instead of giving you your change when you put your cash-out card into the money redemption machine. Well, casinos never stopped this practice and it is long after any coin shortage that may have existed. This is just a money grab by the casinos, betting on customers never cashing in their coin redemption tickets.  We recommend that you just take your cash out ticket to a cashier’s desk to get you full cash out, change included.

11. 6-5 Blackjack

6-5 odds black jack has become very common on the Las Vegas Strip, versus the more traditional 3-2 odds blackjack.  With 6-5 odds, a $100 bet will pay you $120 versus $150 with 3-2 odds, a big difference. To put it another way, the house edge increases 400% with 6-5 blackjack.  If you want to play blackjack, we recommend going to a casino offering 3-2 blackjack and avoid any 6-5 tables.

12. Triple Zero Roulette

Triple zero roulette is becoming common in Las Vegas, especially on the Las Vegas Strip. We would not recommend playing triple zero and instead find tables offering at least double zero or, better yet, single zero roulette. On a single zero roulette table, the house edge is 2.7%.  On a double zero roulette table, the house edge is 5.26%. With triple zero, the house edge jumps all the way up to 7.69% - NO thank you.  Downtown Las Vegas casinos typically offer double zero roulette tables and some even offer single zero.

13. ATM Fees

ATM fees can be easily be $10 per transaction at Las Vegas casinos – a total ripoff. Watch out for this ripoff. We recommend bringing with you if you can to avoid those fees.  You may also want to contact your bank in advance to check if they cover the cost of ATM withdrawals. 

On the Strip

14. Photos with Showgirls and other Characters

Showgirls and Characters on the Strip will ask you if you want to take a photo with them. Just be aware that these people are working for tips. If you agree to take a photo with them, they will expect a tip. We recommend negotiating the tip upfront to avoid any awkward situations.

15. Time-share Reps

It will be hard to miss time share reps when you are in Las Vegas. They may try to intercept you as you enter your hotel lobby (this is very true at Excalibur and Westgate, for example) or when you are out on the Strip. A time share rep’s first questions is typically, “how long you are in Las Vegas?” Don’t waste your valuable time on your vacation at a time share presentation. You can expect time share reps to be very pushy and we have heard they often become rude when you decide not to buy a time share. Don’t do it!

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What’s New in Las Vegas in 2023

Las Vegas is always changing and 2023 in Las Vegas will be no different. In this blog, we will walk you through what’s new in Las Vegas for 2023. If you are planning a trip to Las Vegas in 2023, we will let you know what is coming and what you can expect during your Las Vegas 2023 visit.

1. Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix Racing on the Las Vegas Strip

If you have been following Las Vegas news this year, then you will likely already be aware that the Formula 1 Grand Prix is coming to Las Vegas in 2023. Expect massive amounts of F1 promotions, which have already started, to just ramp up even more as we move through 2023.  This is going to be an incredible Las Vegas event in 2023.

Photo credit Formula One

The F1 race will be held November 16th through the 18th  2023. The race’s 3.8-mile track will weave past world-famous landmarks, casinos and hotels along the Las Vegas Strip.  Tickets for the event, as well as packages with Las Vegas casinos, are on sale now. Don’t expect cheap tickets however, as prices are definitely on the high end.  3-Day general admission standing-room only tickets, for example, start at $500.  

2. The MSG Sphere Las Vegas opening and U2

The MSG Sphere in Las Vegas will be the world’s first of its kind, a $2 billion 17,500-seat performing-arts arena that will be among the most technologically advanced entertainment venues in the world. It has been reported that U2 will open the MSG Sphere. U2’s concerts at the venue will be part of a residency that will be spread out over several months and be performed on non-consecutive days.  The official MSG Sphere opening date and U2 performance dates have not yet been announced.

3. Fontainebleau may finally open in 2023

The long-awaited Fontainebleau is scheduled to open sometime in the fourth quarter of 2023. Our fingers are crossed that this long running Las Vegas hotel and casino development effort will in fact be ready by the end of 2023. We are excited to see the Fountainebleau when it does open. The hotel and casino resort will have about 3,700 rooms, a 173,000-square-foot casino and, of course, dining experiences. In addition, Fountainebleau will have over 90,000 square feet of retail space over two levels and will include 35 luxury retail shops.

4. Durango Station – A new Las Vegas local’s hotel and casino

Station Casinos' newest local’s property, Durango Station, has been under construction since early 2022 and is expected to open in the fall of 2023 or early 2024. Durango Station is a $750 million hotel-casino on a 71-acre site in southwest Las Vegas at the 215 Beltway and Durango Drive. The resort will include about 200 hotel rooms, 2,000 slot machines, 46 table games, a sports book, and four restaurants. 

5. Moon Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip? 

We have not heard much news about the so-called Moon Hotel in Las Vegas since late 2021. The initial plans described a $5 billion moon themed hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, with a massive 735-foot-tall moon. The Moon Hotel would become the second tallest building in Vegas and will reportedly be next to Resorts World across from the Wynn/Encore. Canadian company, Moon Based Resorts, has stated that the property will take 4 years to build and that they plan to open in 2027.  We will update you as we learn more throughout 2023. 

6. Las Vegas Loop by Boring Company (AKA the Tesla tunnel)

In 2022, the Las Vegas Loop opened its station at Resorts World providing a direct connection (via underground tunnels Tesla cars) to the Las Vegas Convention Center.  The Las Vegas Review-Journal has reported that they are working to get the Las Vegas Loop operational by February 11, 2024, for the Super Bowl. When complete, the Las Vegas Loop is expected to include a total of 55 stations from downtown to the Las Vegas Strip, Allegiant Stadium, and also the airport.  

7. Brightline West Las Vegas to Los Angeles high-speed rail connection to begin construction in 2023

BRIGHTLINE West says that it is hoping to begin construction on a Las Vegas to LA high-speed rail line next year.  The project is estimated to cost about $8B and would connect Las Vegas to Los Angeles via a route running alongside the Interstate 15 highway, and would include three stations in the high desert and San Bernardino County areas. If work proceeds as planned, the high-speed rail line could open in 2026 or 2027.

8. Taylor Swift at Allegiant Stadium 

Taylor Swift performs at Allegiant Stadium march 24, 25 and 2 shows added/ photo credit Allegiant Stadium

Taylor Swift is performing two nights at Allegiant Stadium in 2023 on March 24th and 25th. Demand for Taylor Swift tickets apparently crashed the Ticketmaster system. Resale tickets as of the date of this video are starting at $450 for upper level seats at Allegiant Stadium (i.e. the “nose-bleed seats”). Other notable artists coming to Allegiant Stadium in 2023 include Ed Sheeran and Pink. 

9. Garth Brooks new 27-show Las Vegas residency

Garth Brooks is coming to Las Vegas in 2023 for a 27-date residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The residency called, “Garth Brooks/Plus ONE” will also include Garth’s wife Trisha Yearwood. The residency will begin in May 2023 and continue through December. 

10. Depeche Mode at T-Mobile Arena

Depeche Mode is coming to the T-Mobile Arena on March 30, 2023. The tour will be the group’s first in over five years. It will also be the first tour for Depeche Mode since the death of founding member and keyboardist Andy Fletcher in May of 2022. Resale tickets are currently starting at about $225 and up.  Other notable performers coming to the T-Mobile Arena in 2023 include Muse and Maná.

11. Jerry Seinfeld at Caesars Palace

Jerry Seinfeld will be at Colosseum at Caesars Palace for six shows in Las Vegas beginning in April 2023. Tickets are on sale now and start at about $89. 

12. Beatles LOVE in Las Vegas continuing through 2023 

As previously announced, The Cirque Beatles LOVE show at the Mirage / Hard Rock will continue at least until the end of 2023. We don’t know yet whether LOVE will extend past 2023 but we will share any additional updates as soon as they are announced.

13. The Las Vegas Museum of Illusions at 63 Las Vegas

A Museum of Illusions is coming to Las Vegas. This new attraction will be located on the corner of Harmon Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard at 63 Las Vegas, between the Cosmo and Crystal Shops. The museum, which has already begun construction, will occupy a 15,000 sq. ft. space.  According to reports, the Las Vegas location will be the largest Museum of Illusions built to date and will feature over 70 different exhibits.

14. Emmitt’s Las Vegas at Fashion Show Mall

Emmitt’s Las Vegas has announced plans to finally open at the Fashion Show Mall by early 2023. Emmitt’s is a 30,000 sq ft. restaurant and event venue located at Fashion Show Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip. Occupying the former Sugar Factory, Emmitt’s bills itself as “a first-rate destination for fine dining, live concerts, watch parties and other elite events” in Las Vegas.

15. Ocean Prime at 63 Las Vegas

Ocean Prime, a steak and seafood-steak restaurant chain with 17 locations in most major U.S. cities, is investing a reported $20 million to open its 18th restaurant at 63 Las Vegas, the new complex currently under construction between the Cosmopolitan and Shops at Crystals. Ocean Prime will be the anchor restaurant and plans to open in the spring of 2023.

16. Blake Shelton’s Ole Red at Bally’s Bazaar Shops

Blake Shelton’s previously announced Ole Red in Las Vegas will be located in front of Bally's Grand Bazaar Shops at the intersection of the Las Vegas Strip and Flamingo Road. It will feature a four-story music venue and restaurant, with 700 seats, and a rooftop patio with its own music venue.  

17. Las Vegas Buffets – more reopening in 2023?

Wicked Spoon Buffet at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas

We are big fans of Las Vegas buffets and have been quite frankly disappointed that many of the cheaper buffets (for example, the Station Casino Feast Buffets) and local favorites (such as Studio B at M Resorts) have not reopened. We also had high hopes for the return of the amazing Sterling Brunch at Bally’s but that appears to be permanently closed.

Some of our current favorite buffets in Las Vegas include The Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace, The Buffet at Wynn, The Wicked Spoon at Cosmo, The A.Y.C.E. Buffet at Palms (especially their all you can eat lobster night), the Garden Court Buffet at Main Street Station and the Garden Buffet at South Point.

We will update you throughout 2023, if and when, additional buffets open in Las  Vegas.

18. Major conventions and festivals are back in Las Vegas in 2023

Major conventions are back in Las Vegas and will kick-off 2023 with CES (influential tech conference) on January 5th – 8th at the Venetian Expo. The massive Electric Daisy Carnival, or EDC, that attracts upwards of a half-million festival-goers to Las Vegas Motor Speedway will take place May 19, 20, and 21. Life is Beautiful will be back for its 10-year anniversary September 22-24 spread across 18 Las Vegas city blocks.

These are just a few of the many conventions and festivals coming to Vegas in 2023. 

Quick pro trip: Make sure to be aware of the Las Vegas convention and festival calendar when planning your visit to Las Vegas because major conventions and festivals will bring larger crowds and likely more expensive hotel rooms.

We hope our update of what’s new in Las Vegas for 2023 will help you better plan your Las Vegas 2023 trip. Las Vegas is always an amazing place to visit and Las Vegas 2023 will be no different!