60 Minutes weighs in on the new Las Vegas Visitor

Mid way through Lesley Stahl's report about the Cirque Du Soliel entertainment juggernaut (Not quite yet... at least the MGM Grand properties including the MGM Grand feature Cirque Du Soliel shows) taking over the Las Vegas strip, I was struck by the description of the new Las Vegas visitor.

"The profile of the “typical” Las Vegas visitor has changed dramatically over the last couple of years. Retirees from Middle America, who play the nickel slots, don’t come to Vegas anymore. With Native-American and riverboat casinos popping up across America, they can find slot machines closer to home.

Today’s Las Vegas visitors are wealthier, younger, more international – and far more sophisticated. "

Bobby Baldwin an executive with MGM Grand is interviewed for the story and adds his perspective about why Cirque Du Soliel is so popular with the new Las Vegas Visitor.

"Casino owners in Las Vegas used to practically give away show tickets, hotel rooms, and food, just to lure people to the slots and the tables. But that strategy doesn’t work with the new breed of visitor.

"They're very finicky as to what they eat, where they sleep and what kind of shows they go to see. And before they didn't care," says Baldwin. "They just wanted to play blackjack or shoot dice and get out of town."

But they didn’t have shows like "O", with all of its “how’d they do that” numbers. There’s 1.5 million gallons of water on that stage, and all of the costumes have to be replaced every couple of months because the chlorine eats away at the Lycra.

"I think people plan their trips, particularly vacations, with the idea that "O" or one of the other Cirque du Soleil shows will be on the itinerary," says Baldwin.

And that has turned the entire economic equation of Las Vegas on its head.

"I make just as much money off of you as a company, whether you gamble or you don’t gamble, because most of our revenues are non-gambling," says Baldwin. "In the Bellagio hotel, 60 percent are non-gambling, and 40 percent are gambling."

He adds that "we make money off of everything," which includes shows, restaurants and the incredible shops. "

As I write this post, I am watching the A & E show Ceasars 24-7. The show features gambling, crazy guests that want a new bed because the one in their room is too high, behind the scenes stories from various staff members and the high rolling whales that all the strip casinos covet. But gambling remains the centerpiece of the show. This perspective is much different from MGM Grand's philosophy. No mention of the new breed of guest. So maybe 60 Minutes overstated their case.

So I guess the message is if you are heading to gamble in Las Vegas avoid the MGM Grand properties and head for one more open to the old breed of gamblers.

Insider Tip: The best places to gamble in Las Vegas are not found on the strip. Follow the locals to the outskirts casinos that cater to them to find the best odds, the best food values, and venues more friendly to the low roller gamblers.