Gambling.com Sets The Record Straight On Las Vegas Casino Myths
Las Vegas may be known as the entertainment capital of the world, but behind the bright lights and iconic casino floors lies an enduring sense of mystery.
For decades, gamblers have swapped whispered theories about secret tricks and hidden systems designed to keep players gambling longer.
To separate fact from fiction, Gambling.com travelled to Las Vegas to investigate some of the most common casino myths firsthand.
Visiting four of the city’s most famous casinos - Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Bellagio and the Cosmopolitan - the team set out to test long-held beliefs and speak directly with industry insiders about what really goes on behind the scenes.
Do Slot Attendants Know Which Slots Are Hot?
One of the most persistent casino myths is that slot attendants know which machines are more likely to pay out.
While visiting Caesars Palace, Gambling.com put this idea to the test by asking an attendant which slot to play.
The recommendation was Dragon Link, played on penny denomination at a maximum $5 bet.
From a $20 stake, four spins resulted in a $6.50 profit. While this short run of success may suggest insider knowledge, it could just as easily have been coincidence.
This betting surplus could show that casino attendants do have an understanding of which slots are more likely to cash out, but alternatively it could have been down to luck.
Are Casinos Pumping Oxygen Into The Air?
Another long-standing rumour claims casinos secretly pump oxygen into their venues to keep players energised and gambling for longer.
To investigate, Gambling.com carried an oxygen reader through Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Bellagio and the Cosmopolitan.
The results were consistent across all four casinos, with oxygen levels registering at 20.9 percent - the same as outside air.
This definitively busted the myth. As the data showed, there was no evidence of enhanced oxygen levels anywhere on the casino floors.
Expert Insight From The Casino Floor
To gain deeper insight, Josh Kerr sat down with Grant Rogers, Vice President of Casino at Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Addressing the oxygen myth directly, Rogers was clear. “We are not pumping oxygen in,” he said. “There is plenty of oxygen in the casino.
“You do have some casinos that have a certain scent to make it more ‘hey, welcome to this casino’, but we are not pumping oxygen in, no.”
Rogers also addressed the idea that casinos deliberately avoid windows.
“You are starting to see a lot of casinos opening up a little bit more to that,” he explained, noting that newer casinos with natural light have proven highly successful.
No Clocks, Tighter Machines And Best Odds
One myth Rogers confirmed as true is the absence of clocks on casino floors. “That is definitely true,” he said. “You don’t see clocks on the casino floor - you get lost in the environment.”
However, he firmly dismissed the belief that casinos tighten or loosen machines based on timing or crowds.
“None of that is true,” Rogers stated.
“We are in a very highly regulated environment. In reality it is all about luck, timing and being in the right place at the right time.”
When asked where players can find the best odds, Rogers pointed to “3:2 blackjack, pass line bets on craps or full-pay video poker,” adding that enjoyment should always come first.
“You need to find something you enjoy,” he said. “It is all about entertainment.”
