Scams in Las Vegas, when you’re a local, usually involve that fake solar salesman who runs off with down payment from an unsuspecting homeowner. Or the unlicensed contractors who come out of the woodwork to do home repairs after monsoon season.
We’re talking about the kind of scams that screw you out of thousands of dollars and, more often than not, land you in small claims court.
Scams In Las Vegas Means Something Different For Tourists
But when it comes to people who come to Las Vegas for a vacation, scams include anything they feel like they wasted their hard-earned money on. Including places they eat, shows they see, and attractions they visit. And a recent study has just revealed exactly what tourists think are the biggest scams in Las Vegas.
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It’s probably safe to say that the majority of the world has been subject to a scam at least once in their lifetime. Unfortunately, it’s just the times we live in. With online ordering, e-bills and social media, our information is everywhere. For anyone with half-decent hacking skills to access.
I know I get a scam phone call at least once a week. I’ve had my identity stolen. It’s not really a matter of “if” when it comes to getting scammed. Just “when”. And because of it, we’ve all just learned to be more cautious in our day-to-day life.
However, when visitors come to Las Vegas from out of town, scams are probably the last thing on their minds. They’re in Sin City to have fun and they always plan to spend more cash than they usually do.
But that doesn’t mean they’re willing to waste their money on things they think aren’t worth the price. And especially for a tourist who is more budget-conscience, that feeling of being scammed can come from places most might not expect.
Study Shows What Offers Tourists Believe Are Biggest Scams In Las Vegas
A recent study, conducted by casino.org, collected data that revealed the offers and experiences most labeled a waste of money by Las Vegas visitors. For the study, casino.org looked at over 1.5 million Tripadvisor reviews that mentioned Las Vegas resorts, shows, restaurants, bars, and attractions.
Reviews that included scam-related words were gathered for the study. In addition to “scam”, “rip-off” and “waste” were among the words flagged.
The number of reviews that included the key words was compared to the total number of reviews analyzed. Doing this allowed casino.org to calculate the percentage of reviews that were unfavorable for each Vegas experience.
The study then organized the results into separate categories: resorts, shows, bars and restaurants, and attractions.
Overall Results
Besides breaking down the top results in each category, casino.org also listed the overall results for the scam-related reviews on TripAdvisor. With 5.5% of reviews of this nature, Blue Man Group was dubbed the biggest scam in Las Vegas. Followed by Minus5 Ice Bar, with 5% of reviews indicating it was a waste of money. Third was Bluegreens Vacation Club 36, with 4.2% of the scam-related reviews.
Pampas Las Vegas and Criss Angel’s Mindfreak tied for 4th, each with 3.9% of scam-related reviews. And Saltgrass Steakhouse came in fifth, with 3% of scam-related reviews.
To break down the results even further, casino.org took the highest percentages of scam-related reviews for Las Vegas experiences in each of the four aforementioned categories.
10 Big Scams In Las Vegas To Look Out For, According To Tourists
Here is the list of the Biggest Resort Scams, according to the TripAdvisor tourist reviews. Followed by the Biggest Restaurant and Bar Scams. The Biggest Show Scams. And finally the Biggest Attraction Scams.
1. Blue Man Group
Guests look on as members of Blue Man Group carry leaf blowers with streamers during a pop-up appearance celebrating the return of their show at Luxor Hotel and Casino on June 25, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
I saw Blue Man Group several years ago and it wasn’t too bad. But maybe the quality has gone downhill since then. At least that is what’s implied by the 5.5% of scam-related reviews from TripAdvisor. Former patrons of the show have said it was a waste of time and money and that your money would be better spent elsewhere.
2. Criss Angel's Mindfreak
Illusionist Criss Angel escapes from a straitjacket while hanging above the field before a game between the Chicago Bears and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
I don’t know that there are many people who have seen Criss Angel anywhere who can’t say he seems like a fraud. And, according to the 3.9% of scam-related TripAdvisor reviews, former patrons feel the same about his show. Nearly all of those reviews called the show a ‘waste’ (casino.org). And said the tricks weren’t that impressive. Some reviewers went as far as to call the show a ‘marketing scam’.
3. Penn and Teller
Penn Jillette and Teller of Penn & Teller perform during The Give Back-ular Spectacular! fundraiser in partnership with The Union Solidarity Coalition at The Orpheum Theatre on October 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Almost all of the 2.9% of scam-related reviews said the Penn & Teller show was grossly underwhelming. And I’m sure their feeling of being ripped off has a lot to do with the outrageous ticket prices. Reviewers also mentioned the bar at the show was vastly overpriced, claiming they spent an average of $20 per drink. Even for something as simple as a beer or rum and coke.
Rounding Out The Top 5
The Ka Cirque Du Soleil show came in at number four on the study, with 2.4% of scam-related reviews. And the fifth place went to the Jabbawockeez show, with 2.3% of the reviews.
Venetian Gondola Rides
People take a gondola ride at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada. While the gondolas continue to draw tourists, many reviewers have expressed frustration at the value they are not getting for their money.
Another attraction in Las Vegas that many TripAdvisor reviewers felt was a scam was the gondola rides at the Venetian Resort. According to the study by casino.org, 3.7% of reviews mentioned patrons feeling ripped off by the cost of the attraction and how it wasn’t worth the short amount of time they got to spend on the ride.
