Feb 17

Wynn Las Vegas' baby stroller ban reeks of new casino's heavy handness

Attempting to bring a stroller into Wynn Las Vegas brings about the kind of response you’d expect Vijay Singh to receive at the door of Phil Mickelson’s Christmas party. A well-dressed “guard” quickly steps in front of the offending rolling parents and asks if they are a guest of the hotel.

If you’re not a guest, strollers are forbidden, but you can go over and wait in line to have it checked by the bellhop, who clearly lets everyone know he has better things to do. All so you can get the privilege of stepping inside Steve Wynn’s overblown flower show to start dropping some of your hard-earned money.

I watched this transpire four or five times one night at the Wynn. The parents usually looked as stunned as the kid who found out that Santa Claus doesn’t exist. There are rules in Vegas! Ridiculous, annoying, nonsensical rules. Aren’t you supposed to leave that stuff behind in the real world?

And yes, I am the same guy who mocked all the baby strollers that you can find in the supposedly hard edge adult playground Las Vegas. I may not be comfortable (or interested) in bringing a baby to Vegas myself. But that doesn’t mean other people’s choices should be dictated by some billionaire blowhard.

And if Wynn wants to make a stand against kids, go all the way. Ban them outright. See how that goes over. Forcing parents to carry around toddlers in their arms - or to just let them run free causing more havoc (which often happens) - is a weak wishy washy step.

Wynn Las Vegas’ well-dressed stroller patrol is turning off guests. Most ridiculously of all, they are even stopping strollers from going into the small mall connected to the Wynn.

It’s Vegas, baby. If you didn’t want strollers, you should have opened up a casino in Palm Springs or something.

And hasn’t Steve Wynn kept up with the celebrity times? The hottest accessory in Hollywood right now is a baby. Why do I think that somehow Britney Spears’ high-tech stroller would be ushered right in, no questions or annoying hands palms up even hinted at?

This isn’t some kind of stroller stand. It’s about a casino that goes out of its way to be closed door. This is the same place that bans golfers who paid $500 to play its course from taking pictures of their experience.

Preserving the mystery? Try preserving the arrogance.

« Scottsdale goes big brother, starts speed camera ticketing on Loop 101: Golfers beware

At least Vijay Singh puts his Phil Mickelson hate out in the open »

24 comments

§ Mike Tamburello said on : 2006-02-18 @ 01:24
Wynn Las Vegas makes more money than any casino in Vegas not named Bellagio. So, they are clearly doing just fine with their stroller ban.
§ Damion said on : 2006-02-18 @ 08:59
That’s right it is Vegas Baby, not Disneyland or Neverland, Vegas is for adults. Not for Baby’s ! Children have no place in a casino.
§ John Z said on : 2006-02-18 @ 09:00
Sorry Chris, but you lose on this one. The trend in Vegas is away from the Kiddieland atmosphere. Wynn Las Vegas is in the lead in this direction. Many, if not most of the players at that casino are higher end gamblers. They don't want or need the distraction of baby strollers, and neither does Steve Wynn. Theoretically, a person under the age of 21 should not even be in the casino. In Atlantic City casinos and those in Mississippi, as well as any Indian casinos I've been to, minors, those under 21 are forbidden to enter the casino, period.
§ Mary said on : 2006-02-18 @ 10:15
Don't understand parents who bring babies to casinos, myself. As Rita Rudner, Vegas comedienne says, "do they think they can trade them for chips?" Celebrities who think their kids are some sort of nifty pet or purse are particularly bad examples of the genre.

When my kids turn 21, I'll be happy to enjoy a visit to Vegas with them. But until then...

Kids should be out on the golf course - not in casinos!
§ Ron Mon® said on : 2006-02-18 @ 15:02
We parents have a tendency to believe that our children are the epicenter of EVERYONE's universe, not just our own. It takes a while for us to reconcile the fact that most people don't give a shout for our kids or their rights. I have to agree with the peanut gallery on this one and say BRAVO, Wynn, preserve a place for the grown-ups.
§ Ron Mon® said on : 2006-02-18 @ 15:05
We parents have a tendency to believe that our children are the epicenter of EVERYONE's universe, not just our own. It takes a while for us to reconcile the fact that most people don't give a shout for our kids or their rights. I have to agree with the peanut gallery on this one and say BRAVO, Wynn, preserve a place for the grown-ups.
§ Ted "Mr. Las Vegas Shows" Newkirk said on : 2006-02-18 @ 18:09
This has been a hot topic in Las Vegas for some time, and so much so that I'm going to address it on my next podcast
(http://radio.accessvegas.com )and link to this blog post.

When Steve Wynn controlled Bellagio, there was not only a "no stroller" policy, but a policy against children entering the building unless they were staying there, or with adults who were going to see a show or had a restaurant reservation.

The MGM ripped out their theme park and are building convention space and high rise condos on it.

Bottom line: Parents can't gamble with children in tow. Children are not allowed to loiter on a gaming floor. Families tend to NOT go eat at the high end restaurants or go see the $100 per ticket shows (another huge source of revenue for casino resorts now in Las Vegas).

A number of recent articles in the national press have highlighted children misbehaving in restaurants. No one wants to see and hear Junior's tantrum while they are dining. Nor do they want to be subjected to it while gambling or enjoying a $10 drink in a plush setting.

This is not about Las Vegas (or Wynn in particular) trying to set some obnoxious rules. This is simply a policy that reflects the wishes of the guests at Wynn Las Vegas.
§ Mary from Chicago said on : 2006-02-19 @ 06:41
I totally agree - VEGAS IS FOR ADULTS -- if you want to vacation with your children go to Disneyland!! When our children were little that's where we went. We go to Vegas to have fun and not have to "dodge" strollers and listen to screaming kids. I don't blame Wynn for his "no stroller" policy -- way to go!! More casinos should adopt that policy.
§ R Auwema - Michigan said on : 2006-02-19 @ 07:59
** Three cheers for Steve Wynn ** I've been run into with a stroller, had a bruised shin becouse of it. It's hard to walk in the casino's, on the sidewalks and through the malls while dodging strollers. I've seen crying babies and bored kids. Las Vegas is not the great family vacation spot. Take the kids to Disney. LAS VEGAS IS FOR ADULTS.
§ Lea said on : 2006-02-19 @ 14:06
Not everyone who comes to Vegas wants to gamble. When people bring their kids in a stroller is because they are walking thru the casino, site-seeing. I know it is not profittable for the casino, but what are parents with kids supposed to do. Hire a baby sitter 18 hours a day so Mr. Wynn can be happy??? Greedy!!
§ gordon said on : 2006-02-19 @ 14:24
I just got back from a stay at the Wynn and one point I have not seen mentioned here is that when you enter the Wynn HOTEL and casino, you do not directly enter the casino, but rather an elaborate lobby with access to a bank of elevators that do not interfere with the casino and gaming area. Therefore Kids and strollers are not in the way of gamblers on there way to the rooms. While I agree that Vegas is geared towards adults, the fact remains there are a number of activities the entire family can enjoy. You people saluting Mr. Wynn will not be so happy when his next rule prohibits certain types of dress, or when he decides that in an effort to keep the riff-raff out he will run credit checks on those entering his casino and so forth and so on. This rule is not to protect people's shins, or to protect high-rollers or even adults, it is an image issue, plain and simple and when he goes after the poor and ugly your kind won't be quite so happy.
§ gordon said on : 2006-02-19 @ 14:28
To Ted "Captain Las Vegas" or whatever your name is, you know what people really don't want to hear is drunk morons swearing up a storm while recalling the $5 chip they lost on the blackjack table. I'll take a family with a fussy child over loaded convetioneers trying to pick-up hookers anyday.
§ John Z said on : 2006-02-19 @ 15:21
Gordon, or whatever your name is, since you were so dissatified with your stay at the Wynn because there weren't a slew of bawling, screaming kids in strollers cavorting around the tables, here is a suggestion: next visit stay at Circus Circus. Lots of children running around plaguing the gamblers.You'd love it. I didn't think much of it. What do you suppose would be the result of a poll of the games and slot players if they were asked about the stroller question and children in the casino in general? Lea, in answer to your question as to what people with kids are supposed to do, Steve Wynn nor anyone other than the parents has the responsibility or the slightest concern for what people do with their offspring. You sound like there is something evil about making a profit. The $2.7Billion to build that place was put up by bond holders whose only concern is making a profit.
§ gordon said on : 2006-02-19 @ 21:53
Settle down John, before you break a hip or something. The Wynn is perfectly nice, my problem is with people who have obviously never been there suppoorting a policy which has nothing to do with their comfort or enjoyment and everything to do with image. He has everyright to make this rule and I have everyright to laugh at it and point out that it opens the doors to all sorts of other rules designed at keeping people out. John if you would stop hanging around the lobby slot machines with all the other old men you might not be bothered by all the kids. I'll be going back to the Palms next trip where the only "babies" will be all the fine women around the pool. I only stayed at the Wynn so I could play Shadow Creek and Cascata--Chris I would be happy to post my pictures of Shadow Creek, including pictures of me pissing all over Wynn's precious course.
§ Ron Mon® said on : 2006-02-19 @ 23:31
If Gordon disappears, we know whom to blame. Who site-sees in Vegas? What are you going to tell people, that you saw a fake Eiffel Tower, or a fake NY State building? Holy crap, forget that. Keep the kids away from the place all together. It's for their own good. Can't imagine why people would want to throw their money away at games that they cannot win. Exceptions, of course, being card games against other, less talented, suckers.
§ John Z said on : 2006-02-20 @ 10:16
Gordon, I'm not from the grammar or the spelling police, but "every right" is obviously two separate words. Since you had it written the wrong way twice in your last post, I figured you might not realize it. You did get "everything" right, though. Gordon, in the past year, I've visited casinos once each in Atlantic City, Las Vegas and Laughlin, Tunica and Philadelphia, MS, and Grande Ronde and Lincoln City, OR. At the Rio in Vegas, I saw a few children walking around the periphery of the casino, but when one stepped on the carpet of the gaming area he was immediately shooed away by security. At each of the other casinos, security was stationed at the entrance to make certain that no minors entered the casino. I saw several young adults being carded at the various entrances. At the Silver Star in MS, there was a sign posted with international symbols as to what items were proscribed. There was even a picture among them of one of the ubiquitous "papoose carriers" which was forbidden entrance to the casino. For your information, I am strictly a blackjack player, varying my bets between quarters and halves. I've probably been going to casinos longer than you've been on this earth. Gordon, if you're trying to be a comedian in the "Don Rickles" mode, my advice to you is don't quit your day job, assuming you have one.
§ John Z said on : 2006-02-21 @ 09:47
Ron Mon, I think you must mean the Empire State Building. You are almost right about not being able to win at the table games. On several occasions, I've won some considerable sums at Blackjack; once I netted $6500 after a three-day excursion. On those occasions I had the good sense to quit playing while ahead. That is the ONLY way one is going to come out ahead at a table game. The only games that can be beaten in a casino are Blackjack and Craps. With the right bets, a player is at a disadvantage of less than one percent. But if a player keeps gambling long enough, that inexoable one percent will eventually kick in and guarantee a loss. A novice gambler who doesn't make the right bets and who doesn't even know the basic strategy has no chance of doing anything but losing. There are millions who fall into this category and they keep the casinos thriving.
§ Gordon said on : 2006-02-23 @ 10:35
John--You are right actually right about a couple of things. I'm sure you have been going to casino's longer than I have been alive, based on the establishments/locals you cited. Sounds more like list of AARP hot spots. You are right about casino odds, however and blackjack is a game which can be beaten on occasion. Basic strategy, a little luck and a proper betting are all thats required. People forget that the one advantage/variable that you control or have is the ability to determine the amount of your wager. Winning $6500 with your wagering pattern is nothing to sneeze at. I prefer to save my quarters for drink tips, but to each his own.
§ John Z said on : 2006-02-23 @ 11:25
Gordon, you didn't put a smiley face after your post so am I to assume that you don't know that in Blackjack parlance a "quarter" is $25 and a "half" is $50? Are you telling me that you give 25 cent tips to the cocktail waitresses at a carpet joint like Wynn's palace? I'm surprised that you get ant service! Don't fool yourself, there is action at the casinos south of Memphis, especially at Binion's Horseshoe and the Grand, that rivals anything in Vegas. Probably the biggest and most crowded games around are at Foxwoods and MOhegan Sun in CT. Each has over 100 BJ tables and oftentimes, particularly weekends, the minimum bet is $25 and you have to wait for a seat. Some of the players are smart, but most don't have a clue about basic strategy. $6500 was my largest net win for a single trip, but I have come away with about a third of that much on a few other occasions. Of course, on a lot more occasions I've made a deposit of between $1000 and $1500, which is my stop-loss limit.
§ Gordon said on : 2006-02-23 @ 12:17
I know exactly what "quarters" are John and like I said I use those for tipping on a per drink basis. I was trying to be nice, but since you think I would actually tip anybody 25 cents I'll just tell you that my usual wager per hand, of which I like to play two at a time is closer to your stop-loss limit. I grew up in CT. and have been going to Foxwoods for the Friday Night Fights and action for years. I know live out on the West Coast and either play poker at the Bicycle or make the quick jump to Vegas.
§ Alex said on : 2006-02-23 @ 13:21
Gordon, You're a helluva man, and an affluent one, too. $25 tips for drinks? $2000 Blackjack bets? You're not by any chance one of those dot-com millionaires, are you? I once played at the London Club in the new Aladdin where many guys were making those bets. However, even they weren't throwing tips like that around. If you can afford it, you have my congratulations.
§ John Z said on : 2006-02-23 @ 13:33
gordon, if you had put a smiley face on your post, I would have known that you were joking. Now, I'm really surprised that a big player like you would think it pretentious of Wynn for his stroller ban. I've been to the Bicycle and the Hollywood and I didn't notice any strollers in either place. They must want to protect their images also.
§ Gordon said on : 2006-02-23 @ 16:20
I got my money the old-fashioned way, I got it from my family. I figure the least I can do is tip well.
§ Ted Newkirk said on : 2006-02-25 @ 15:45
Since this is a golf blog, I'm very surprised that everybody missed what Gordon said about golf:

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I only stayed at the Wynn so I could play Shadow Creek and Cascata--Chris I would be happy to post my pictures of Shadow Creek, including pictures of me pissing all over Wynn's precious course.

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I guess I'm missing what staying at Wynn Las Vegas would have to do with playing Shadow Creek. Shadow Creek went to MGM Mirage in the takeover years ago (and long before Wynn Las Vegas was built). And you must be a guest of one of MGM Mirage's nicer resorts (not Circus Circus) or a guest of the Four Seasons (in MGM Mirage owned Mandalay Bay) to play. In fact, everybody in the golfing party must be an MGM Mirage guest.

I'm also not sure what staying at Wynn has to do with playing Cascata. That was exclusive to Caesars guests at one time, although now under Harrah's ownership is open to the public.

So now that we know that Gordon says he stayed at Wynn Las Vegas so he could play Shadow Creek, we know he's completely off-base, a total liar, probably never even been to town, and simply a troll. Case closed.