How You Can Have Your Instagrammable Moments In Sin City
In this day of selfies and Instagrammable moments, one of the long-forbidden places for photos is Las Vegas casinos.
Management simply does not want people to take pictures of gambling. That’s to protect the privacy of those gambling and most importantly from their standpoint, to keep hustlers from picking up any cheating tips which can be can obtained from photos.
But there is a way to take those treasured selfies to post on social media if you know the rules. So here’s the do’s and don’ts of taking selfies and having those Instagrammable moments in Las Vegas casinos.
The Tricks To Taking Pictures
It is not illegal to take photos in casinos or at the gaming tables. However, most don’t allow it, particularly on the Strip.
There’s a lot more going on in casinos than gambling. Some have girls dancing on platforms. There’s the lounges and bands in lounges. One – Harrah’s – even has fat Elvis.
My policy is always to ask a security guard before taking any picture. “Do you mind if I take photos in here?” In every case, the security guard has given a very polite response that usually goes something like this: “go ahead, as long as you don’t take any pictures of people gambling.
They also mentioned not to use the flash.
Inevitability, you’re going to get some of the gambling areas in the background. That’s okay as long as it’s not the focus of the photo.
I learned this by experience. Several years ago, when I first started PubClub.com, I was about the only person who always had a camera with me. I knew photos would help tell the story of the locations and bars I was writing about so I was taking pictures everywhere, including in the casinos.
In one instance, I was on a roll – literally – at a craps table and I handed my camera to a friend who got a great picture of me just as I was rolling the dice. After about four or five pics, the pit boss politely informed us we’re not supposed to take pictures in the gaming areas.
Lesson learned, and that is when I developed my policy of always asking a security guard for permission before snapping any shots.
These Casinos Allow Photos Of Gaming Tables
Off the Strip, realizing it’s a good way to attract the business of the young and fun, some casinos welcome people taking pics.
The Four Queens downtown has a sign up stating, “Please feel free to take photos in the Four Queens. We want you to remember your visit.”
The Strat – the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower which is at the far end of the Strip but not in the main part of it – even has a hashtage, #STRATselfie, and encourages people to tag @Stratvegas.
No Videos
Pictures – in the right places and at the right parts of a casino – are okay. But none permit videos.
#socialmedia
#lasvegas
#selfies
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