In the years I've lived in Vegas, I've of course noticed the open air drug markets up and down and (especially) around the strip. As a recovered addict, this bothered me especially at first, but I've come to be able to tune it out over time. Lately though, I've noticed dealers brazenly slinging their products inside the casinos. Just the other day, I noticed a small group of people loudly and conspicuously soliciting cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine inside the Bellagio at the bar next to the poker room. If this isn't a new phenomena, then it's one that weirdly somehow escaped my attention up till now. Either way, imo it's a big problem.

For those of you who are gonna say 'so if you don't want it, just don't buy it' - don't bother. Yes, my status as an ex addict gives me a particular aversion to this, but there are many other reasons that it's bad for the general public, and for Vegas tourism in particular.

1. First and foremost, it's a public health hazard. Heroin and other opiates and opioid derivatives (all of which I've noticed being sold in and around casinos where I play) can be fatal. Especially these days. Tourists who've done heroin recreationally in their lives may buy some at a casino thinking it'll be similar to what they've tried, and they'll be wrong. Drugs potency has always varied regionally, and especially now with fentanyl being everywhere, this is especially true. A drunk tourist could have a fatal overdose from doing what they thought to be a small amount.

Also, painkillers (oxycodone, hydromorphone, etc) which are much more socially acceptable among the population and common among the drugs I've heard being sold, are not necessarily what the customer thinks they are. They may not even be from a pharmacy at all. It's common and profitable for dealers to press fentanyl into pills and print brand logos to make them look legit. This practice itself has caused countless deaths. Basically, no matter your opinion on the criminal status of narcotics, the brazen dealing I see regularly now is dangerous and potentially fatal.

2. The dealers can and will drive away players. Lots of tourists go to Vegas to feel classy. The atmosphere of a west Baltimore drug corner isn't that. If I notice the dealing, so do others, and tons of players from street weekenders to trust fund frat boys will find it off-putting.

3. It's inevitable that this dealing will result in arrests, possibly a police raid. Maybe even paramedics. Police presence is something that I find off-putting, and I doubt I'm the only one.

These are just the first three issues that came to mind. I could go on. Oh, please spare me the 'supply and demand' argument. Yes, there is demand, and there is supply. Those looking to get high, either because they're addicts or thrill seekers or whatever have no shortage of places to go in Las Vegas, a fact true of most cities. There's a whole drug scene out there in sin city. Both demand and supply thrive. I can tell you where there ISN'T demand for narcotics. The bar by the Bellagio poker room. The dealers there, and in other casinos, are simply trying to take advantage of an atmosphere filled with already invigorated people where they can push their product on those who may not know any better - likely at a huge price markup, too.

Has anyone else noticed this? Is anyone else bothered by it?

cuddle?

You're a recovering addict and you're at a bar? Why are you even in the casino at all? And on the strip of all places? You sound like a tourist yourself.

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Recovered drug addict. There's a bar right outside the Bellagio poker room that's serves as a kind of waiting area. What ex drug addicts aren't allowed to play poker?

All arguments for legalization and regulation.

I don't think the ex-addict thing adds anything to the conversation or supports your case. Pretty sure there are recovering alcoholics in that area, too. And former smokers. They still serve booze and let people smoke.

Regarding the health hazard, do you have any data that shows drug users in Las Vegas are at a higher risk of overdosing than in other parts of the country? The painkiller / fentanyl situation is a (very sad) US problem. That's not a widespread issue anywhere else and I highly doubt European tourists would decide to start buying those items randomly in Vegas. Based on personal experience from back when I was an international tourist, people try to buy the same stuff they're taking at home: weed (not an issue anymore), cocaine, MDMA/amphetamines. Nobody decides today is a good day to try heroine, let's find a random dealer on the Strip.

Now dealing drugs in public inside a casino resort is obviously an issue. For the owner of the casino. Therefore I assume they will do something about it if they find out.

Sounds like another item to add to the list of reasons I have no plans to return to Vegas any time soon. It has evolved in a direction I have no interest in. It makes me sad.

I can get all of the outstanding meals I want in Fort Worth and take quick trips to the boats in Shreveport for gambool.

The drug/crime problems in Shreveport are magnitudes worse than in Vegas.

I don't doubt you. I stay inside the hotel/casino and never step foot outside.

we're all recovering from something...

I've seen it around the casino properties but it's been sparingly. I am SURE it happens more than I or others see... and it's NOT unique to Las Vegas.

I'd rather not see or experience it myself because the element is not a positive one.

I’ve been to Vegas a dozen times staying for 10-14 days each trip and have NEVER seen any signs of drugs inside any of the casinos. What casinos do you go to that has drugs? Asking for a friend.

I've been going to the Bellagio on a regular basis for 20+ years. I've sat at that bar or in the sportsbook and waited for a seat in the poker room many times.

I have NEVER seen anyone soliciting customers for drugs at the bar you mention. This must be a new phenomenon.

Tell security if you see it again ?

(Your ancillary complaint that there probably is a mark-up on the prices is a bit odd. You better stay away if you are that tempted as to inquire about prices.)

I've had people try to sell me coke at several casinos, mainly old O'shea's in the bathroom. Never been in the market for baking powder at $100/gram though. Wouldn't touch any powder now that fentanyl is a thing.

Wouldn't suprise me though, every city seems to be going soft on crime after the summer of love in 2020.

+1. I tried very hard to find drugs on several occasions early on in my Vegas years

Claude Rains is also shocked that there's gambling at Rick's.

OP, please do not go inside any bar bathrooms in any major city, especially DC!

I'm not complaining about drug dealing in Vegas in general. I'm specifically complaining about what I've noticed to be a recent surge of dealing in strip casinos and the effect it could have on tourism. I know exactly where to go if I wanted to buy drugs in Vegas and I think most people who live here have a rough idea. Anyone actively looking for dope or anything else shouldn't have trouble finding it and I have no problem with that. My complaint is very specific to the locations mentioned, for reasons already mentioned.

Again, I don't have an issue with dealing in general. I live on the east side, not too far away from Fremont & Marilyn Pkwy, which is in close proximity to a few drug corners and trap houses. No student in town for spring break is gonna accidentally find themselves wandering into one though. The sudden presence of dealers in the Bellagio sports book/poker room/bar area is a different story. For those of you who said they never noticed dealing here, I mentioned in OP that I hadn't either until very recently.

The Bellagio ain't the Pair-A-Dice Motel.

https://d.library.unlv.edu/digital/c...n/neo/id/1610/

Now you've seen Drug Dealing in the sportsbook, poker room AND bar area ? Was that "sudden presence" all at the same time, on different visits or since your OP ?

Hey, dealers of drugs and illicits have territories, jjust like salesmen. They ARE salesmen. It could be a newer sales rep staking out his territory.
People that break laws have felt pretty emboldened of late. So this Bellagio thing doesn't surprise me. What will probably happen is someone reads this thread, and takes action. Quick.
Or not. How many times have you guys been propped by a hooker at Bellagio? Lots of places tend to look the other way- and you could go on about the public health hazards of illegal CSW just like you could heroin.

Its a lot easier to just go get some heroin or illicit oxy/fent versus going to a clinic and getting on Methadone or Suboxone. Trust me on this.

Its everywhere. Bellagio will probably get the dealers out quick. They'll just go across the street.

I've been to Vegas many times for long periods in the last few years.

I've been offered drugs < 5 times overall, and all bar one of those were weed. The one that wasn't, was in Casino Royale. Never been offered anything in any of the more upmarket casinos.

Seems a bit OTT by the OP.

Umm, among other things, inside the Bellagio is not exactly open air. It's pretty much the opposite of open air. Also yes, never been offered drugs on the strip, I'm sure they are not hard to get if you want to but it's not an open drug scene like other places and spaces and probably never will be bcos it's bad for biz

I felt the same way as OP when I tried the Keto diet for 8 months. Every time I walked into an open air casino buffet on my own accord I was disgusted at the peddlers of sugar and complex carbohydrates.

Obesity is the number one killer of Americans and these casinos are complict in this destructive behavior.

I for one can't see anyone who cares about their health and what food they put into their body ever patronizing these establishments.

Just to clarify, the "never have been offered drugs on a Strip property" refers to the casino floor and not to clubs inside those properties?

Technically, I've been offered to buy (and do) drugs on every upscale Strip property including Bellagio, Aria, Cosmo, Venetian/Palazzo, Wynn/Encore.

I know you're being sarcastic but that part had actually been true for most buffets until not that long ago. Still not worth the money but these days you can go to a lot of buffets without being limited to the salad bar and overcooked fish.

I’m being serious with you, you need to come up with a plan that allows you to move away from that area. Recovering addict or not, used to more rough areas or not, your quality of life will drastically change when you improve your housing.