Prices of just about everything are rising — and rising fast. Las Vegas is no exception.
But when Scott Rutledge, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, went to the convenience store within the casino where he and his wife were staying, he was shocked by just how fast those prices rose.
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The beer cost “$2 or $3 more” on Saturday night versus earlier in the afternoon, said Rutledge.
It’s what’s known as dynamic pricing — a common occurrence in the worlds of taxis, events and hotel rooms — has now hit even more aspects of Las Vegas life.
Is this development going to be a step too far for visitors?
Vegas prices can change from hour to hour
The additional money isn’t what bothers Rutledge.
It’s the lack of transparency — something he called “a bit dishonest.”
Now, Scott and his wife, Cindy, will be getting their drinks from nearby CVS.
Rutledge isn’t the only one annoyed by dynamic pricing. Julie Brenner from Miami was also taken aback by the changing price of water bottles.
“It was actually cheaper (the second day),” she said, noting the cost was about $0.15 less in the morning compared to when she arrived at the Paris Casino the night before. “It wasn’t a big deal or anything. But there are no prices (posted for drinks), so I guess they just charge whatever.”
“Surge pricing, or dynamic pricing or algorithmic pricing, is now commonplace in the digital economy,” said Mark Tremblay, an assistant professor of economics at UNLV’s Lee Business School.
Higher prices mean fewer visitors to Sin City in 2025
Las Vegas successfully reinvented itself as a family-centric destination in the 1990s, thanks to its themed casinos, world-class entertainment and heavily subsidized prices that made the city significantly cheaper to visit than other popular destinations like Orlando or New York City. That game plan reestablished Vegas as the premier entertainment destination in the United States.
However, Las Vegas, like almost all other cities, has seen prices skyrocket in recent years. That is due, in part, to the extreme financial pressures placed on casinos in the post-pandemic world, including soaring wholesale prices.
“What we are seeing now is the operators trying to figure out a way to continue to be sustainable going forward as they face all of these factors,” said Las Vegas Review-Journal gaming reporter David Danzis. “And now, there’s declining visitation. We are seeing declining gaming revenue, and that’s resulting in layoffs and restructuring throughout the casinos.”
The results, according to Danzis? Less value for guests: “We’re starting to see these deals, these promotions, these offers from the operators for things like free parking or deals for locals, they’re starting to realize that maybe we’ve not just reached a tipping point, we’ve actually hit a breaking point."
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That breaking point is clear in the most recent visitor figures. The city saw an 11% drop in visitors between 2024 and 2025.
"We’re receiving feedback from our customers via emails and chat rooms, indicating that they’ve had enough,” said Anthony Curtis, publisher of Las Vegas Advisor. “A lot of them are saying, ‘I’m just not coming back.’"
Here’s how to keep your costs down
Some casinos are introducing new incentives to attract visitors back to the city. Additionally, the LVCVA has launched a campaign called “Locals Unlocked,” which deals at major resorts for local residents.
Even with dynamic pricing, there are practical steps you can take to help reduce spending on your next Las Vegas getaway. These include:
- Purchase snacks and drinks at convenience stores away from the Strip.
- Avoid excessive Uber or Lyft rates by downloading the driver version of the app. This displays a "heat map" showing where demand is highest, allowing you to walk to a zone with lower prices.
- Travel during the week or in the off-season (mid-January to early February or summer) to find lower hotel rates.
- Seek out budget-friendly restaurants and food courts, especially off the Strip.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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