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Monday, May 17, 2010 | 2 a.m.
Seven New Pools for Summer
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Seven new pool complexes are opening at resorts across Las Vegas to get ready for the summer - and in hopes of making money on the blossoming day life scene. With the flurry of new 21+ pools and pools that charge a pricey cover for parties, the day life scene is helping clubs during a down economy.
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- For job at pool parties, bring your resume, of course, and your bathing suit (3-6-10)
- Casinos prepare to pull plug on pool parties for season (10-3-09)
- How clubs were punished: Warn, warn again (8-19-09)
- Metro: Prostitution, drug activity found at topless Rio pool (7-29-09)
- Rio closes topless pool after Metro Police check (7-28-09)
- Pool party season opens in Las Vegas with wave of celebrities (4-19-09)
- Rehab’s spring break-like party calls it quits for season (9-26-08)
This summer may yield the biggest party season in Las Vegas history, with seven new or expanded pools, some with full-blown nightclubs, poised to offer visitors more excuses to drop inhibitions along with hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, on entry and amenities.
It’s also the second summer such clubs have come to the increasing attention of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Monitoring nightclubs — and the new dayclubs with party pools — is a growing concern for regulators, who in July fined Planet Hollywood $750,000 for allowing illegal acts in its now-shuttered Prive nightclub.
The booming 24-hour party scene — a high-profit business dominated by nightclub operators in Las Vegas — has yielded a bumper crop of illicit activities that are an inevitable part of the mega-club industry worldwide. The question is how effectively Nevada regulators can stay on top of the problem.
“We know there’s going to be drug sales and prostitution and that you can’t stop all of it,” said Jerry Markling, chief of the Gaming Control Board’s enforcement division. The Control Board won’t fine a casino based on a single patron’s solicitation of drugs or prostitution, and is more concerned with rampant illegal acts or those that involve a club’s employees, Markling said.
The Control Board traditionally errs on the side of caution when pursuing disciplinary action against casinos, and will frequently urge them — behind the scenes — to change course rather than hit a property with a surprise complaint. Regulators argue that this cooperative, rather than combative, approach to regulating the state’s economic engine is a more efficient and effective way to force change. As an example, regulators gave Planet Hollywood the opportunity to resolve its well-documented problems before filing a public complaint as a last resort.
Though there haven’t been any nightclub complaints since then, regulators have uncovered problems at other clubs resulting in disciplinary action against casinos that operate them or lease space to operators. Regulators won’t identify the companies involved, though they say the problems — of the criminal kind that surfaced in the Planet Hollywood complaint — have been widespread in Las Vegas.
Over the past year, the Control Board has issued warning letters and follow-up directives for operators to clean up their acts. The confidential correspondence has resulted in a crackdown on illegal acts without unwanted publicity for the companies. For the most part, regulators said, these club operators are making an effort to stay on the right side of the law. The acts at issue weren’t as egregious as the rampant, management-condoned activities going on at Prive, they added.
Control Board member Randall Sayre, who leads meetings with nightclub operators, said many operators have begun taking responsibility for blatantly illegal activities in their clubs rather than turning a blind eye.
Some operators, he said, have not been so forthcoming. That’s despite numerous warnings, public seminars and private sit-down meetings to explain that Nevada casino license holders are liable for the actions in venues they don’t own or operate.
That there’s competitive pressure to create an atmosphere deserving of Las Vegas’ reputation as an escapist party town might not be much of a revelation. What’s more surprising, regulators said, is the notion that casinos thought they had mitigated some of the liability involved in offering such clubs by hiring third-party operators. (According to the Planet Hollywood complaint, the resort knew of problems inside the nightclub but didn’t intervene because the nightclub’s lease prevented it.)
Some companies are operating with the understanding that they are going to allow illegal acts “until they get caught,” Sayre said.
Companies may well take that chance knowing that the Control Board lacks the resources to pursue many in-depth investigations. The agency also lacks the inclination to shut down casinos for any number of transgressions, thus harming the livelihoods of thousands of Nevadans, nor can it close nightclubs that lack a gaming license. (That power rests with the county, which issues liquor licenses and has its own set of laws governing businesses.)
With help from Metro Police, the Control Board might only pursue two major undercover investigations a year, Markling said.
“We only have so many dollars and so many people to do these investigations,” he said.
Given that some operators aren’t proactively policing their premises despite frequent warnings, the Planet Hollywood complaint likely won’t be the last, regulators said.
“To say you care and then ignore (the law) indicates a willingness to play Russian roulette with your business,” Sayre said.
I am so sick and tired of the Government attempting to run the private sector. I understand that drugs and prostitution are illegal, but I think the Gaming Control Board has an ulterior motive. I do not know what it is, but I go to these clubs often, these illegal acts are not a prevalent as the Gaming Control Board wants you to believe. I believe it's just the Socialist attitude of our country.
Mr. Sayre is basically admitting that the Gaming Control Board is ineffective and inept at being able to protect the reputation of the Gaming industry...crying the "not enough dollars and people" story to deflect criticism...Mr. Sayre and the entire Control Board continues to be used and manipulated by the casino and nightclub operators. The Casinos must take responsibility for their actions and stop abdicating their responsibilities...Mr. Sayre is the fall guy who does not know how to avoid the negative press that will continue to come down on the Control Board...local press is kind and also casts a blind eye, but the national Press is on their way and it won't be pretty.
The big statement is the total lack of creativity among bundled operators. Everyone is doing what their neighbor property found financial success doing previously.
The Hard Rock and Palms market events to a certain demographic, and their plant and operations were built for that demographic. They had succes, so other properties wanted their customers.
The bundlers believe they can throw more money (marketing and construction expense) at the same customer and replicate the dollars. Maybe they can. But, what does it state about creativity in offerings up and down the boulevard. Is there a property for ADULTS left in the Strip Corridor? Or is all of Vegas going the way of the young, the stupid, the tattoed and the bling?
It's not healthy long-term, but we'll let the ones in the ivory towers figure it out, between the town they live in, or in some cases used to, and shareholders they answer to, or in some cases used to.
It gets back to creativity, which seems to be a DONE DEAL in Vegas today, no more cards to play.
Market the place as a party zone, then have a bunch of people wearing long underwear when it is 100+ degrees out butt in to people's fun.
No wonder people are staying home or going elswhere.
I agree with Gregory, but want to add...
Back a few years ago Las Vegas was the gaming capital of America and arguably the world. Now with legalized gaming in 48 of 50 states, Monte Carlo, Makow China, etc. Las Vegas has got to come up with new and innovative strategies to remain competitive and entice visitors to come here. We can't be all things to everyone so we need to focus on our strengths.
Las Vegas is known as Sin City and what happens here stays here, etc. People from all over the country and the world come here because they perceive Las Vegas to be an ADULT playground where nearly anything goes. If that turns out not to be the case then they won't return. Therefore by being too stringent we are chasing away visitors.
Remember back in the 90's we tried to be more family friendly? What did that do for us? Not much, because there are much better venues for family vacations, such as Disney Land, Sea World, Bush Gardens, etc.
If we want to continue to be the adult entertainment capital of the world, then we need to stick with what works and lighten up, or risk loosing what we have.
Why cant a businesses provide a moral and safe environment for its patrons? If they want lude and lascivious activities accompanied by drugs and prostitutes, please find a venue out of NV, we have enough to worry about. The people who enjoy these venues are not ones that will gamble or tip. These night clubs are ego driven and do not encourage people to gamble, it actually drives gamblers away. Punks galore.
Metro has plenty of staff and funds to go to stripclubs and bust strippers and perform undercover stings for prostitituion. The casinos and clubs that allow the illegal behavior always say they are unaware, yet they know, just like they know when a guy walks in with 20k to spend.
The issue here is the casinos/nightclubs will never be penalized just the poor guy trying to make a little money or the single mom pole dancing.
Don't let 'em take the "Vegas" out of Vegas!
"We know there's going to be drug sales and prostitution and that you can't stop all of it"
So why bother stopping any of it? How about doing away with our antiquated drug and prostitution laws? How about changing this broken system so that our prisons aren't overcrowded and Metro can focus on the real crimes plaguing our neighborhoods?
How are any of us being hurt by someone smoking a joint? And how are any of us being hurt by someone paying for sex? Why not open a brothel on or near The Strip so that these sex workers have somewhere safe to "do business"? And why not open a "Las Vegas Red Light District" similar to Amsterdam's where all the vice can be concentrated?
And if someone really doesn't like the "immorality" of The Strip, there's always Sam's Town...
"...a bumper crop of illicit activities that are an inevitable part of the mega-club industry worldwide. The question is how effectively Nevada regulators can stay on top of the problem."
There is neither anything "illicit" nor a "problem" when consenting adults are the parties on private property, and no one is being injured. Leave them alone!
This is just "the authorities" struggling to remain relevant -- which translates to justifying their budget and collecting fines.
"Why cant a businesses provide a moral and safe environment for its patrons?"
Consultd -- read the above. How exactly does this injure you and your irrelevant morality? Aren't you perfectly at liberty to stay away if you don't like that scene?
"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others." -- Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781-82
"Some companies are operating with the understanding that they are going to allow illegal acts "until they get caught," Sayre said."
Ain't that the truth. And that statement basically sums up what happened at Prive at Planet Hollywood.
Planet Hollywood management (now owned by Harrah's) at the time attracted a criminal element. And these criminals they lured into their nightclub were not only patrons, but the management as well. The idea was to rake in that money fast and loose, without a care for regulations, rules, laws and patron safety, not to mention employee job safety neither. Money, money, money, get it and get it quick before we get found out. That was their only rule. And it got so crazy, they even stole tips from the employees.
And that casino got slapped for it severely.
Sure, I understand that Nevada is Sin City. But if you can't guarantee the safety of patrons into a nightclub, and you can't even provide a safe environment for its employees and seek to only rip them off of tips, then all of this is meaningless. The idea is to make Las Vegas a place that tourists want to come to, and continue to come to, not look at them as victims waiting to happen. When the nightclubs in these casinos operate like this, they deserve to be smacked. And smacked hard.
But like the ending in the above article, this will nonsense will continue of ripping off the 20-30 something beautiful people who want to hobknob with the Hollywood set and fling their money left and right in these nightclubs. This type of venue will attract predators. The sad part is these victimizers not only go there, but they WORK there too. The money keeps flying fast and loose, this will continue. Management will take advantage and err on the side of caution everytime, even urged on by the owners of casinos to keep pounding away and get that money; charge for bottle service, make them wait in a long line...not because there's no room, but to make them think they are paying for an incredible thing...but it's not, as well as other things to attract and yank money out of wallets/purses.
(As a side note, all this above info is found readily by looking up articles/blogs over the past few years. It's all there for anyone to put together. And I'm sure LVMPD knows it too.)
Only thing that will stop it is for County Commissioners to levy heavy fines, yank away liquor licenses and for the Gaming Board to fine and yank gaming licenses (because the nightclub is in the casino and the casino is responsible for what goes on...no shirking this responsibility).
Sounds draconian, but you do stuff like this, it will level the playing field and ultimately provide for safety and fair treatment of customers.
On a side-note,I know I'm getting old when I read the article about pool-side bottle service...in 110 degree desert heat...doesn't sound to smart to me....sounds like a recipe for a real bad day form someone. Aren't you supposed to drink a lot of water ? But what that's not cool,I forgot.
AngryVoter -- opinions vary. Your tone makes you irrelevant here or in any other reasonable Discussion. Expect to be disrespected and ignored.
Let the people party!! WE who don't want any part of this crap can alway find other properties..
BushDepression- Ditto.
Illegal drugs - crime. Prostitution - crime. Underage drinking - crime. This has nothing to do with "taking the sin out of Sin City". If your daughter was attending one of these parties, would all you supporters still be spewing your misguided support for this criminal behavior?
"If your daughter was attending one of these parties, would all you supporters still be spewing your misguided support for this criminal behavior?"
newman2 -- depends on her age. Like any parent can control any child after a certain age. And kindly explain what exactly you mean by "criminal behavior" in this context?
I got rooms at the Palms, Encore and Palazzo for Mem Day weekend. Me and my friends are gonna P-A-R-T-Y!!!
As a visitor from Boston it pains me that Vegas is so crazy with restrictions... as long as it's posted what is going on, let it be. There are so many choices, there is something for everyone.
"What happens in Vegas, can be cleared up with a quick round of antibiotics" Ha.
"The Control Board traditionally errs on the side of caution when pursuing disciplinary action against casinos, and will frequently urge them -- behind the scenes -- to change course rather than hit a property with a surprise complaint. Regulators argue that this cooperative, rather than combative, approach to regulating the state's economic engine is a more efficient and effective way to force change."
Unfortunately, this approach has been a miserable failure. Nevada's Gaming Control Board has sunk to the bottom of the heap; it is the laughingstock of the casino world. It is way past time for the Gaming Control Board to grow a backbone.
Opinions and Commentary on the Gaming Industry: www.TheBearGrowls.com
KillerB;
Let me know when your 21 yr old daughter is hanging out at the Palms - I'll buy her a line, propose sex in a pool side cabana and then offer the "double down" to her 18 year old friend.
What part of criminal behavior are you not understanding? Not abiding by the criminal law (ie. illicit drug sale/prostitution/underage alcohol sales) are criminal behavior. Clearly this is not an area of expertise for you.
"What part of criminal behavior are you not understanding? Not abiding by the criminal law (ie. illicit drug sale/prostitution/underage alcohol sales) are criminal behavior. Clearly this is not an area of expertise for you."
newman2 -- clearly it's not yours. About as remote for you as what it means to be an actual, functioning citizen. Start with that Jefferson quote above and maybe you'll learn something besides "mooooo."
Yes... Drugs and Prostitution are only operating in Las Vegas night clubs and pool scenes...
LOL!
Newman,
You think the night clubs are the place to start cleaning up drugs, prostitution, & under age alcohol. You have to be kidding me.
navedd;
Are you unable to focus on the conversation at hand? The story is about the illegal activities at these parties - which has been documented repeatedly in the past year. No one is attempting to clean up drugs, prostitution etc. in Las Vegas as a whole. But if your attempt at a rebuttal indicates your condoning of these activities by justifying it's existence throughout the city, have at it.
newman2 -- to be part of this reasonable Discussion you need to pay attention and get unstuck on "illegal." Otherwise you're making yourself irrelevant.
"Although the most clear-sighted judges of witches and even the witches themselves were convinced the witches were guilty of witchcraft, no guilt in fact existed. So it is with all guilt." -- Friedrich Nietzsche 1882 "Gay Science"