Las Vegas Strip Signs Say No Tipping Required of Tourists

Key Points Clark County has installed Las Vegas Strip signs reminding tourists that tipping street performers for photos is optional The campaign follows an alleged assault involving two showgirl impersonators who reportedly attacked a North Carolina couple The initiative has sparked debate over stronger enforcement and performer permits

Key Points

Clark County has installed Las Vegas Strip signs reminding tourists that tipping street performers for photos is optional

The campaign follows an alleged assault involving two showgirl impersonators who reportedly attacked a North Carolina couple

The initiative has sparked debate over stronger enforcement and performer permits

Clark County has put new digital messages up on the Las Vegas Strip reminding tourists they do not have to pay street performers or costumed characters for photos. The campaign also recommends visitors report intimidation to the police after an incident involving two showgirl impersonators and a couple visiting the city. 

Clark County

new digital messages

Las Vegas Strip

do not have to pay street performers

Clark County Launches Safety Campaign After Las Vegas Strip Brawl

The messages went up on electronic displays along Las Vegas Boulevard on October 16. Tourists can watch street performers or take pictures without having to leave money, they explain. The signs also instruct someone who feels threatened to go to a police officer or call 911, reported The Las Vegas Review-Journal. 

electronic displays along Las Vegas Boulevard

Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft announced the initiative on social media on October 17. He appealed to visitors to bear in mind that it is not necessary for them to pay to take photos with performers. County officials said the campaign was launched for public safety reasons. It seeks to define the rights of pedestrians in a zone where street entertainers often approach tourists to solicit tips. 

Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft

The move comes after an incident involving Eric Richards and Merihazel Walters, a couple from Charlotte, North Carolina, who went to Las Vegas for their wedding in September. 

an incident involving Eric Richards and Merihazel Walters

Charlotte

North Carolina

The couple posed outside the Paris Las Vegas with two women dressed as showgirls for pictures. They paid $20 for the pictures, but the performers allegedly asked for more money. 

Paris Las Vegas

One of the women, Jennifer Ortiz, followed Richards as he tried to leave and allegedly attacked him, the police report states. The second woman, Magdellena Romero, struck her several times when she intervened, Walters told investigators. 

Jennifer Ortiz

Richards

Magdellena Romero

Walters

Both visitors were injured, police documents say. Surveillance video and other video evidence allegedly corroborated their account of the confrontation. Richards was cut across the forehead in the incident. Ortiz, 26, and Romero, 43, were taken into custody in the alleged assault. They are scheduled to return to court on December 3. 

Both visitors were injured

Richards

Ortiz

Romero

Las Vegas Strip Tipping Campaign Raises Questions Over Visitor Safety

The incident has sparked discussion as to whether the new signs will go far enough to deal with aggressive demands for money. Some critics say that visitors already know that tipping is voluntary but may have a hard time leaving situations where performers do not accept their decision. 

The incident

visitors already know that tipping is voluntary

Suggestions discussed online included beefing up police enforcement, undercover operations and introducing permits for street performers. Others have warned tourists against giving money to people who ask for it on busy footpaths. 

The campaign comes as Las Vegas continues trying to maintain its allure to visitors amid concerns about the pace of its tourism recovery. A September report showed the average rate for Las Vegas Strip hotel rooms fell 10% year over year in August and 5% in September. Demand, it seems, is not steady across the calendar, with October rates said to be 7% higher. 

Las Vegas

maintain its allure

to visitors

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has approved a marketing deal worth up to $1.45 million to attract Australian tourists. The campaign is backing Qantas’ planned seasonal nonstop service between Sydney and Las Vegas, which is due to launch in December. 

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

Australian

tourists

Qantas

Sydney

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is also a major destination for business meetings. It was No. 2 on Cvent’s list of North American convention cities for 2025, behind Orlando, and three Las Vegas resorts made the top 10 list of convention hotels on the continent.

Las Vegas

convention cities for 2025

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north america

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