Can you tape in Casinos? at DVinfo.net

Dan Measel · September 10th, 2003, 10:36 AM

I am going to meet some friends in Las Vegas for a reunion and obviously bringing my video camera along. I haven't been for a long time but if I recall correctly, last time I was there video cameras were not allowed in the gaming areas of the casinos. Does anyone know if this has changed?

Chris Hurd · September 10th, 2003, 11:06 AM

My experience (from before 9/11, with a Sony VX3) is that it all depends on which casino.

From the swankiness level of Caeser's Palace on up, it's absolutely forbidden in the casino and you'll quickly get tapped on the shoulder. But from the anti-swank level of Circus Circus on down, it's not a problem.

Paul Tauger · September 10th, 2003, 12:24 PM

I was able to tape in the Flamingo, last time we were there. I've also taped in and around the Bellagio, though not in the casino per se. This, btw, was with my VX2000, with a mini-pod and a wide angle lens attached, i.e. it didn't look like a little tourist camera.

Best thing to do is ask. As Chris said, some casinos allow it, some don't.

Adam VanScoyoc · September 11th, 2003, 10:33 AM

Man, I can't believe you guys were able to film in a casino!
My wife and I took a bus trip to Atlantic city this summer and as soon as she snapped one photo with her cheap disposable camera for her scrapbook, the "picture police" told her photos were not allowed. I mean it was just a picture of me pulling the handle of a quarter slot machine! Talk about strict.
I hope you have better luck. I think if she had a video camera she may have been wrestled to the ground.

Let us know how it goes!

Dan Measel · September 13th, 2003, 08:41 AM

We're staying at the Monte Carlo. So we'll have to see. I'll ask before I whip out my video camera so I don't get attacked.

Christopher Toderman · September 26th, 2003, 06:49 PM

Don't use a telephoto attachment, and a shotgun microphone, or the security will take out with an Uzi. In Iraq you'd be taken out with a tank. Isn't it great how much more freedom we have in America!

Dan Measel · September 27th, 2003, 02:22 PM

I went and nobody was thrilled about my camera being there. After asking politely they allowed me to shoot about 30 seconds of video while we were playing craps in the Monte Carlo and then they became noticeably uncomfortable and said "OK, that's enough". I think it stems from the possibility that some of the slot machines may have repeat patterns and they don't want you taping those then conveniently playing that machine when it's about to pay off. Seems pretty silly to me, but oh well.

Michael Westphal · September 28th, 2003, 06:11 PM

I was just there 2 weeks ago. I only did still photography outside the casinos. I saw no signs inside most casinos, but I was watched as I walked thru with the camera. In Caesar's there are signs that photography is NOT allowed, especially around the pool areas. (Which is a shame cause their pool area rivals the Hearst Castle.)
The story I got was that not all visitors to the casinos would like photos of them being there. I'm sure that as Dan said, they are worried about someone trying to get a gaming advantage. It may also just be a security concern, scoping the joint out and such...
Outside the casino's I was able to take all the photos I wanted, and saw cameras and camcorders everywhere.

Bryan Mitchell · October 22nd, 2003, 04:08 PM

I live in las vegas, but I only got my XL1s on the 9th. As soon as I start setting up my locations, I'll let you know what I find out. One of my locations I plan on using is the stratosphere (giant 1000 foot tower). I haven't talked to anyone yet, but the stratosphere never makes any money, so they might want as much advertising as they can get(my shots don't involve their casino though). Also, theres hundreds of people on the strip holding cameras... though they aren't as professional looking as mine, I don't think I'll have a problem.

But I'll let you guys know.

Paul Tauger · October 26th, 2003, 06:48 PM

If you want to see some video I shot with my VX2000 inside the Flamingo, go here and click on the Las Vegas clip:

www.ruyitang.com

September 10th, 2003, 10:36 AM	#1
Dan Measel Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 196	Can you tape in Casinos? I am going to meet some friends in Las Vegas for a reunion and obviously bringing my video camera along. I haven't been for a long time but if I recall correctly, last time I was there video cameras were not allowed in the gaming areas of the casinos. Does anyone know if this has changed?

September 10th, 2003, 11:06 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	My experience (from before 9/11, with a Sony VX3) is that it all depends on which casino. From the swankiness level of Caeser's Palace on up, it's absolutely forbidden in the casino and you'll quickly get tapped on the shoulder. But from the anti-swank level of Circus Circus on down, it's not a problem. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 28th, 2003, 06:11 PM	#8
Michael Westphal Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 166	I was just there 2 weeks ago. I only did still photography outside the casinos. I saw no signs inside most casinos, but I was watched as I walked thru with the camera. In Caesar's there are signs that photography is NOT allowed, especially around the pool areas. (Which is a shame cause their pool area rivals the Hearst Castle.) The story I got was that not all visitors to the casinos would like photos of them being there. I'm sure that as Dan said, they are worried about someone trying to get a gaming advantage. It may also just be a security concern, scoping the joint out and such... Outside the casino's I was able to take all the photos I wanted, and saw cameras and camcorders everywhere. __________________ Michael A Westphal

September 10th, 2003, 12:24 PM	#3
Paul Tauger Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles (recently from San Francisco) Posts: 954	I was able to tape in the Flamingo, last time we were there. I've also taped in and around the Bellagio, though not in the casino per se. This, btw, was with my VX2000, with a mini-pod and a wide angle lens attached, i.e. it didn't look like a little tourist camera. Best thing to do is ask. As Chris said, some casinos allow it, some don't.

September 11th, 2003, 10:33 AM	#4
Adam VanScoyoc Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Oxford, PA Posts: 44	Man, I can't believe you guys were able to film in a casino! My wife and I took a bus trip to Atlantic city this summer and as soon as she snapped one photo with her cheap disposable camera for her scrapbook, the "picture police" told her photos were not allowed. I mean it was just a picture of me pulling the handle of a quarter slot machine! Talk about strict. I hope you have better luck. I think if she had a video camera she may have been wrestled to the ground. Let us know how it goes!

September 13th, 2003, 08:41 AM	#5
Dan Measel Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 196	We're staying at the Monte Carlo. So we'll have to see. I'll ask before I whip out my video camera so I don't get attacked.

September 26th, 2003, 06:49 PM	#6
Christopher Toderman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York Posts: 60	Don't use a telephoto attachment, and a shotgun microphone, or the security will take out with an Uzi. In Iraq you'd be taken out with a tank. Isn't it great how much more freedom we have in America!

September 27th, 2003, 02:22 PM	#7
Dan Measel Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 196	I went and nobody was thrilled about my camera being there. After asking politely they allowed me to shoot about 30 seconds of video while we were playing craps in the Monte Carlo and then they became noticeably uncomfortable and said "OK, that's enough". I think it stems from the possibility that some of the slot machines may have repeat patterns and they don't want you taping those then conveniently playing that machine when it's about to pay off. Seems pretty silly to me, but oh well.

October 22nd, 2003, 04:08 PM	#9
Bryan Mitchell Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 316	I live in las vegas, but I only got my XL1s on the 9th. As soon as I start setting up my locations, I'll let you know what I find out. One of my locations I plan on using is the stratosphere (giant 1000 foot tower). I haven't talked to anyone yet, but the stratosphere never makes any money, so they might want as much advertising as they can get(my shots don't involve their casino though). Also, theres hundreds of people on the strip holding cameras... though they aren't as professional looking as mine, I don't think I'll have a problem. But I'll let you guys know.

October 26th, 2003, 06:48 PM	#10
Paul Tauger Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles (recently from San Francisco) Posts: 954	If you want to see some video I shot with my VX2000 inside the Flamingo, go here and click on the Las Vegas clip: www.ruyitang.com