Low Room Rates in Las Vegas Responsible for Labor Day Violence: Analyst
Posted on: September 9, 2020, 03:05h.
Last updated on: September 10, 2020, 07:41h.
A spike in violence on the Las Vegas Strip over Labor Day weekend is a direct result of rock-bottom room rates. That’s according to Greg Mullen, vice president of CDC Consulting, who told the Las Vegas Review-Journal this week he believes the drop in prices during the coronavirus pandemic is attracting the wrong sort of person.
Occupancy rates have plummeted because of the pandemic, which means operators are offering low rates, or even free rooms, plus travel incentives to the mass market, rather than just high rollers.
Cheap retail rates for the hotel rooms (and) free rooms are going to the players that have never had free rooms in Las Vegas,” Mullen said. “They’re going deeper in their database to get players who aren’t as lucrative because it’s better just to get a body in there.”
The result? The destruction of rooms is at an all-time high at some high-end properties, according to Mullen, and meanwhile, videos with titles like “Fight in ENCORE HOTEL LAS VEGAS LABOR WEEKEND 2020” are getting 40,000-plus views on YouTube.
Wynn to Raise Rates
A Wynn Resorts spokesperson confirmed to LVRJ that a large brawl had taken place at Encore over the weekend, adding that the company planned to buck the trend by bumping up room rates and hiring more security.
Las Vegas Metro Police told a press conference on Tuesday that the downtown area command had arrested 28 people on Friday alone, and issued 27 citations.
People coming here to have fun and take part in the festivities … we welcome you,” said Capt. Patricia Spencer, head of the downtown area command. “For those of you coming here to prey on the tourists or residents of this community, it will not be tolerated.”
Mullen says that operators will need to find a skillful balance between prices that are high enough to keep out undesirables, and low enough to maintain a healthy rate of occupancy — at least until the virus is suppressed to a point where conventions and concerts can return to the Strip.
‘Scared to Go Outside’
But Mullen is concerned that the current climate could damage the reputation of Las Vegas for a long time to come.
“Several of our higher-end profile clients say their high-end guests are done coming until this is under control,” he said. “They’re scared to walk outside their rooms, and don’t feel safe on elevators or on the casino floors themselves. It’s a bad look. … You can really, severely, put a tarnish on Las Vegas.”
Las Vegas is in “uncharted waters,” he added.
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Last Comments ( 191 )
The reason is not low room rates, it is that people are no longer scared of the law, scared of rule as they know they no longer have to be responsible for their actions as they know if they get arrested the courts will be soft on them and they will be out as soon as they are in. If busted for violence, the law needs to be quick, harsh and non forgiving. These people are emboldened. It is not the room rates, it is the people. Im sure they act the same way where they are from, have been busted and never really faced any punishment, so they do it again, and again and again then take it on the road to Vegas or wherever else they go.
I'm very disheartened to read these comments. I've been coming to Vegas since 2003 sometimes 3 to 4 times a year. I have seen people of all races act a fool when in Vegas. This year due to COVID we have cancelled all of reservations to Vegas. All black people are not ratchet or ghetto. Blame the damn hotels and airlines for rock bottom prices that attracted the classless of all races to Vegas. Who in the hell you would expect to show up with 37.00 round trip ticket to Vegas?
I live here and work on the strip. The problem is there's way too many black people that are coming here and causing trouble. They're smoking marijuana right out in the open. They're drunk and disorderly. They're walking around with their pants pulled down below their ass. They're riding those pain in the ass scooters everywhere. Las Vegas is disgusting right now and now you all know why.
I agree with Dustin D. Marks . I've been in town for 34 years it has nothing to do with hotel room rates , they're still too high . 95% of the people gambling have more money than me . 35 years ago you could catch a free tour bus to the Sands as long as u had $10 in your pocket . I've seen on weekends people causing trouble and there betting 100s or more . Some of the problems stem from having nightclubs in casinos . Keep them separate . Most of these bean counters who manage the casinos need to be let go also. Vegas needs more gamblers and less drunks and druggies
Yeah, Vegas has got to restrict that rifle toting "demographic" that killed 60 and injured 800 others from his low-rate, actually free room at Mandalay Bay.
As a white man, if you are afraid of someone just because they are young and black not alone are you an ignorant racist but you are also a coward. Young white boys and men cause just as much trouble if not much more, than young black men. I would much rather hang out with what these racists call, a young "urban"( read: black) crowd, than a whole bunch of fat ignorant Trump loving white people. And I have been to Vegas well over 25 times and I was told by several hosts that while not a whale or a high roller I was at the lower end of the high rollers and I earned free rooms at the top resorts all the time. I have bet more than 10 grand on a single football game and I have played blackjack for a grand a hand.
You have done a great job of attracting a whole bunch of ignorant, hateful, uneducated racists. I hope they all get covid19. As a 50 year old white person I would much rather hang out with a bunch young black people than ignorant Trump supporting racists.
Do you seriously think drunk and high white boys don't cause fights? Please! One lady wrote, "I'm not racist but...".....Yes,you are most definitely the dictionary definition of a "racist", as were most of the comments here. As a white person I would much rather hangout with some young black people than a bunch of ugly, old, fat, unattractive white racists. Seriously, have you ever seen an attractive Trump supporter? All of the talented and beautiful people in this country hate Trump, as do the educated. Only ignorant whites like Trump. Wow, this is sad how racist America is. We have always been this racist, but with the Fat Orange Blob in the White House the racists feel emboldened to speak their ignorant minds. Face it you lily white morons are just scared of people with a different skin color. America will only heal when these ignorant racists die off. I hope all the racists get covid19.
I'm a Las Vegan, I play slots a little (mostly at the Wynn, which is my favorite casino, and the Bellagio), am a technical writer, and am more than a bit disturbed by some of the comments here. Las Vegas is a normal city in many ways -- it has problems (as do all communities) and many strengths the best of which is diversity. Many diverse people and groups built this town and its industries, work hard to support themselves and their families, are my appreciated and valued neighbors, and have helped to make the Las Vegas Valley the wonderful community it is -- Vegas Strong. Regarding some of the comments here: Being a writer, I'm seeing some similar patterns and styles (syntax, punctuation, the same spelling errors, trying to fake an English language barrier, similar theme, etc.) in some of these comments that are supposed to be composed by different commenters (because they're posted under different names/monikers). But, my suspicious nature tells me that they are being written and posted by the same person who, obviously has an agenda to either make themselves feel important, ruin business in Las Vegas, or stoke racial division which is the last damned thing our city, or our precious country, needs right now or ever. I'm just sayin'…readers should take some, or even most, of these posted comments with a grain-of-salt, do the research on what people here are claiming (beyond the verifiable news story they're supposed to be commenting on), then make up your own mind about whether or not to visit the best city I know and love.
This is what happens when you lower the room rates...riffraffs, people with no manners, classless ....etc. These are the kinds of people who could'nt otherwise afford these kinds of rooms. Raise the rates to pre-covid and we wont be seeing these kinds of people ever.
What's this coded "demographic" stuff. Police the rule breakers, arrest those who break the law and and let the good times roll in Vegas.
Remember when airline tickets cost more but you had free food and good legroom? Me too.
I don't care what color your skin might be. If you come to Las Vegas and act like an uneducated, savage fool, don't cry foul when that is how you are perceived. And tip your server properly if they provide good service. $5 on $120?!? Guess you need the money for more weed and that scooter rental.
Yes, I was in Vegas right before Labor Day weekend. I usually go to Vegas two or three times a year. The type of people that were there this time was horrible. They were starting fights with each other. Being lazy riding around on scooters, blaring music on personal speakers, and basically walking around naked. Don’t get me wrong, I know that Vegas can be a little seedy but good gracious I saw so many peopleS butts this trip. I also saw many people just walking through the gaming area pushing buttons in hopes that someone forgot money in the machines. It was pure craziness. Honestly I probably won’t go back for some time. Vegas is not fun or enjoyable with all of that going on. They should keep the prices high and then comp rooms based on play or give comps based on good previous play. I hope they get a grip on it because I’m sure that others like me will distance ourselves from Vegas if it doesn’t change.
Bro.. is full of guetto ass people. btw I'm a local and I know what I'm talking about. Please bring back the cool people , the people with class and the excited crowds.