Nightclubs know they are on notice after the closures of Prive and The Living Room at Planet Hollywood. At UNLV, security experts got to the point across quickly -- if the clubs don't change their ways, they too could be shut down.
With the heat on and the spotlight the brightest, Las Vegas clubs have to shake things up. "A lot of people probably think they can come here and do whatever they want," said club newcomer Paul Lorrah.
Wild parties, illicit activity, and random violence has been going on and few have noticed, until now. "They're going to be on everybody a lot more than normal," said Lorrah.
Lorrah came from Philadelphia to Las Vegas looking for work in the club business. Today's Gaming Institute seminar on security was another eye-opener. Fines, allegations, and bad headlines are forcing this well-timed wake up call. "I think it's a good thing to stay in context with everything that has to go on," he said.
Instructors reminded the dozens of casino companies and club operators the illegal status quo isn't going to cut it anymore. "Irregular occurrences have now become much more regular," said Steve Baker with VTI Associates.
Consultant Steve Baker says that regularity leads to acceptance. "There are limits and limits are being exceeded at times and these are the consequences of that," he said.
Casino conglomerates are paying the price. They rent out the spaces to clubs, but the name on the outside takes the blame. "People who were formally in a more hands-off relationship are now directly responsible for the activities," said Baker.
And if that means an industry has to face facts and grow up a little.
A number of the attendees at the conference did not want to talk about either Prive or their own clubs. Other insiders say more clubs expect to fall soon, though. When gaming regulators and the usual hands-off county get involved, they say Prive and The Living Room will not be the last to close up shop.
