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How different is Laughlin from Las Vegas?

Rising room rates in Las Vegas due to resort fees, paid parking and withering gambling odds have some Las Vegas regulars pondering new destinations. One alternative option to Vegas that can make a lot of sense is Laughlin, just 90 minutes south.

Laughlin: Desert Palms-who now tag the highest payout slot machines, Pioneer, Colorado Belle, Golden Nugget and Ramada. Reno: Circus Circus, CalNeva, Peppermill, Eldorado and Silver Legacy. Note-the nickel slots in Reno have a higher average payout percentage than Vegas. Go to the all-you-can-eat buffet and try your luck with the casino food; odds are it’s pretty good! Choosing among nickel, quarter, and dollar machines. The machines that have the higher denominations usually give the best payouts. So, between the nickel and quarter slots, for example, the quarter slots generally give better payouts.

See Also:77 free things to do in Vegas! A complete rundown of your options.

Laughlin offers plenty of contrast to Vegas and has a much different feel. Here are some of the differences between Las Vegas and Laughlin.

Looser Slots

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Are the slot machines in Laughlin looser than those on the Las Vegas Strip? They sure are. We put together a graph of casino win rates (defined as the % of the total money bet on slot machines that the casino won) over the past 3 years to demonstrate that Laughlin Slot machines are looser than those in Vegas.

Cheap, Uncrowded Gaming

While you can find the occasional $5 blackjack game on the strip, they are usually jam-packed or feature the 6-5 variant that greatly reduces the player’s chance of winning. Laughlin is still a bastion of $5 gaming and you won’t have to wait hours for a seat.

The Colorado River

The river cutting through Laughlin is not only gorgeous and nice to look at, but it also serves as a recreational outlet. Rent a jet ski for a couple of hours and rip up and down the river.

Water Taxis

Laughlin features taxi boats that run up and down the Colorado River from casino to casino. Pay $5 for a one-way trip or $20 for an all-day pass. Better yet, it’s impossible to get long hauled by a Laughlin water taxi.

Old Vegas Feel

Longing for old Vegas? Laughlin may be the cure. The architecture resembles Las Vegas of the 80s and 90s and the main drag is absent of the mega structures and creative architecture that has replaced old classics on the strip today.

Rooms are Cheap!

Midweek rooms are as cheap as $20 and weekends won’t run you much more – Best yet, you can get a room with no, or very reasonable (compared to Vegas) resort fees. You also won’t pay to park in Laughlin as you will at most Strip properties. Is Laughlin cheaper than Vegas? Absolutely.

Leave your Kids at Home

Kids are welcome in Vegas, although I think you would be insane to bring them. While there are theaters, arcades and outdoor entertainment options in Laughlin, there isn’t enough to justify calling your binge gambling trip a “family trip”. There is nothing for kids in Laughlin that you cant find at home.

I, for one, appreciate not having to trip over strollers at 1 am.

Can you bring your kids to Laughlin? Sure, if you’re a bad parent.

No Outrageous Street Performers

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Laughlin is a quieter destination than Vegas. Although some visitors get a kick out of Las Vegas street performers, I appreciate that I don’t have to see a 78-year-old man wearing a sock or a 563-pound lady not wearing a shirt. You also won’t have to put up with the porn slappers that line the Vegas Strip shoving their cards 3 inches from your face every 5 minutes.

Lack of Nightlife

When comparing the nightlife options in Laughlin vs. Las Vegas, there really isn’t any. Laughlin lacks the nightclub scene and array of shows that are available on the strip. As long as your motivations are any combination of gambling, drinking, and smoking you should be OK.

You also won’t find the free shows and attractions like you would on the Las Vegas Strip. There are no fountains or volcanoes.

Laughlin Visitors are… Older

If you are under the age of 67 you may have a hard time fitting in. Not necessarily a bad thing, but if you are looking for a youthful, lively crowd then Laughlin isn’t for you.

You won’t get that Big Shot Treatment

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You can place big bets in Laughlin, just don’t expect the royal treatment like you would in Las Vegas. There will be no limos shuttling you from the airport, expensive meals or outrageous suites to make your ego feel nice and inflated. You’ll survive.

Laughlin is what is it is. Think of it as Las Vegas 30-40 years ago both architecturally but also as a place where the low roller is appreciated, slots are loose, the focus is gambling and everything is dirt cheap. It’s not a destination that will blow your socks off, but it is a great place to relax by the pool/river, enjoy a mellow atmosphere and try to win a few bucks at tables that won’t force you to access your home equity. For the gambler, Laughlin is a solid alternative to Vegas.

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See Also: Check out our piece on where the loosest slots are around Las Vegas!