Most people think anything goes in Las Vegas and on the Las Vegas Strip.
The city, of course, has the unofficial nickname “Sin City” because Las Vegas is someplace where you can indulge in lots of sins.
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For a long time, Las Vegas actually used “What happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas..” That was meant to be a little bit cheeky and to give people permission to do things while on vacation they might not do.
Las Vegas wants people to think everything is legal and lots of things are legal. The city is arguably the gambling capital of the world and it’s also one of the restaurant capitals of the world.
If you want to engage in greed and gluttony, the Las Vegas Strip puts everything you need right at your fingertips.
You can play penny slots or $1000 a hand card games. In addition, you could also eat out at a fast food chain, or a restaurant owned by some of the most famous chefs in the world.
Las Vegas also has legalized marijuana. Visitors can buy edibles, smokables, drinkables, and any other form of cannabis that exists.
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It seems like Las Vegas has no laws, at least when it comes to governing your own behavior.
That, however, is not actually the truth. Sin City may feel like a place where everything goes, and if you look in the darkest corners, everything is probably going, but there are laws and they are enforced.
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Las Vegas Strip resorts reminded that laws exist
Many tourists likely don’t know exactly where the line is in Las Vegas.
Trucks ride up and down the Las Vegas Strip touting escort services. An escort is not technically illegal, but prostitution is.
That’s not easy to know because during major events, hookers are everywhere and they’re not subtle.
The same logic applies to drugs other than marijuana. It might be easy to get anything you want/need while staying on the Las Vegas Strip. but that doesn’t make your actions any less illegal.
And, yes, while cannabis is legal, smoking it in public actually isn’t. That’s not a heavily-enforced law, but smoke up in the wrong place and you will get arrested.
Law enforcement and gaming regulators want to make sure casino operators and other related Strip businesses, fully understand their responsibilities.
In a notice to operators of party pools, day clubs, ultra-lounges, nightclubs, and similar venues, the Nevada Gaming Commission Board (NGCB), along with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), reminded gaming operators that they are responsible for ensuring that such venues remain free of drugs, prostitution, and violence,” Casino.org reported.
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“Regardless of the association or contractual agreement between the licensee, a lessee, or a third-party operator/manager, the licensee remains responsible for ensuring operations conducted on its premises comply with all federal, state, and local laws and Nevada State gaming regulations. The Board continues its focus on this critical matter, and licensees will be held accountable for breaches of this responsibility,” the letter read from NGCB Enforcement Division Chief Kristi Torgerson and LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill.
Las Vegas still has laws
Nevada has legal prostitution, but Las Vegas does not. It’s important for tourists to understand that the woman at the bar who wants “to party” and immediately go up to you room probably does not like you because you’re so charming.
In the case of prostitution, the “John” will also be arrested if caught.
And, while it’s only a misdemeanor, punishments can include fines, jail time, and community service.
An arrest will also almost certainly not “stay in Las Vegas.”
In addition, a number of countries including United Kingdom, Finland, Denmark, and Germany have issued travel advisories related to Las Vegas. Some of these warnings relate to the recent decision by President Donald Trump to only recognize male and female as genders on passports while others are due to crime in the city.
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The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has its own warning for visitors.
“In addition to being one of the most popular places to visit, Las Vegas prides itself on being one of the safest tourist destinations in the world,” the LVMPD shared on its website. “…Remember, regardless of where you travel, crime never takes a vacation!”
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Make a free appointment with TheStreet’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at [email protected] or call or text her at 386-383-2472.