I think the appeal of Las Vegas really varies depending on personality more than age. Last year at the CES Las Vegas mega conference I noted a huge number of “over 55″ folks waiting in line at a Hilton venue – it turned out it was the Barry Manilow show. If I’m guessing right Manilow is not your idea of a great evening, and I think folks who really want to experience the amazing natural wonder of the SW should stay away from Vegas. I’m a hiker and feel guilty for never going to the nearby natural wonders because I rarely have a car there and usually have a full conference card, but eventually I’ll do that – probably with the family.

Do you think there’s an age limit on Vegas? I’m 60+ single woman and felt like vegas swallowed me up alive. I felt very insecure there and really couldn’t wait to leave. The desert areas AROUND vegas, on the other hand, were breathtaking and I’d go back there in a second. Here’s more about my experiences there: http://goingontheroad.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/maybe-vegas-isnt-for-everyon/

I do enjoy knowing that there is, so to speak, an art to vegas vacationing. I enjoy your writing, thank you!
Martha

Casinos are generally festive places and in most states players are freely provided with alcohol. (Some states, either ban alcohol or ban free alcohol). There is loud music and a generally noisy and festive (and distracting) atmosphere.

Sobriety issues aside, many players are relatively ignorant of the games, odds and payouts involved. Most players are easily misled by ‘the possible’ and forget about ‘the probable’. Focusing on an infitessimle chance to win a million dollars is easier than on the overwhelmingly high liklihood of losing the modest bet.

Many customers in a casino engage in various bad bet games such as Bingo, Keno, Big Wheel, Let It Ride or slot machines. Many players at slot machines have no idea what the payout table is and no real desire to learn about it. It is the casino owner’s dream patron. Even some players at roulette will be at a 5.5 percent edge wheel when right next to them a table is open that has a 2.25 percent wheel. Player ignorance helps the casino!

Some casinos really “sweat the money” and are not willing to actually gamble with the patron. These casinos often encourage small bets rather than allow larger bets in case a player might actually win some of the time. Some casinos offer poor payouts at BlackJack but are able to brazenly post their practices on their massively impressive signage at the main entrance. The BlackJack players don’t even know that 6:5 is a ripoff and they should insist on 3:2 or not play at that casino at all.

Casinos deal with ignorant players, often inebriated, willing to lose their money and even expecting to lose it. This is the casino manager’s dream player.

Much of what a casino does will have negative long term effects but casino managers are rewarded for short term effects only and wall street rewards casino owners for short term changes in the bottom line.

Only a few casinos actually offer, by choice or by competitive requirements, a fair shake to their players. Many casinos compete by offering non-glitzy amenities such as movie theaters, low-key and no-cover lounges, cheap rooms and cheap food. The better casinos also offer a better deal at the tables.

The problem is that casino managers seem to think they have an unlimited supply of ignorant sheep to be shorn and that there will be an endless stream of customers willing to foolishly bet at casinos that don’t offer them a fair shake for their money. Eventually all these ‘sweat the money’ tricks are going to cause the gamblers to rebel. Gamblers will eventually demand a fair shake for their money. And if they don’t get it, the players will walk!

Even just a few years ago, such an incident would have resulted in broken hands for each of the porn slappers. Now such aggressive behavior toward a tourist seems to be tolerated.

Sure there are some temporary soft spots in the condominium and loft markets in Vegas and even some multimillion dollar homes are being foreclosed, but in general the ultra-large casino projects are continuing and range from upscale markets to the market consisting of Las Vegas “locals”.