The idea of themed resorts in Las Vegas is not new. It began in the 1940s and 1950s, and the trend continued to grow into the ‘80s and ‘90s. Now—with some exceptions—new properties, while shiny and alluring, tend to blend together along the Las Vegas Strip.
That sameness reminded me of residential communities in Las Vegas, such as Summerlin and Green Valley, that have a unifying look actively policed by local Homeowners Associations (HOAs). But what if that became the new trend for resorts in Las Vegas? What if all the hotels and casinos were governed by something similar to an HOA? What would the Vegas Resort Owners Association (VROA) look like?
Let’s take a look at that Vegas future:
- If the Flamingo Hotel decided to create a new facade on the Strip honoring Bugsy Siegel, they would have to apply to the VROA for permission to do so. The application would surely be turned down citing some regulation against visual homage to a gangster (perhaps best left to the Mob Museum).
- The never-ending VROA dues. Each time dues are raised (and they will be), resort fees would be increased to cover the difference. Of course, the customer would bear the burden and suffer the additional cost.
- In a first for Las Vegas, the VROA would have more power than gaming regulators. Sure, the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission can investigate a casino and make them follow the law or lose their license, but only the VROA could make them cut their grass, trim their trees and shrubs, or neatly restripe the parking garages.
- Las Vegas is known for 24-hour entertainment. But could you imagine a situation where one property’s nightclub scene is challenged with a noise complaint by another resort? Welcome to VROA hell!
- If hotels are not keeping up their front facades, they would get cited by the VROA. Even if they wanted to be proactive and repaint, they would have to get approval for their paint pallet. After all, casino exteriors would have to conform to the same “sameness.”
- While casinos still would be allowed to charge for parking, VROA board regulations would prohibit parking more than 24 hours in one spot: “Deal me out, I have to move my car.”
If the VROA influence continues to expand, I can only foresee one future for Las Vegas:
“Welcome to Las Vegas – Please insert key card to open gate!”
