Clark County plans to put messages on big marquee signs along the Las Vegas Strip reminding visitors that tips are voluntary. The move follows complaints that some people at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign pressure tourists for money. County Commissioner Michael Naft also asked Las Vegas police and county business license officers to step up patrols at the famous landmark, FOX5 reported Wednesday night.
Key Takeaways
- The Welcome sign is on public property and free to visit. The county says no one is required or expected to tip.
- The county will use its large “touchdown” marquee structures on the Strip to say tips are voluntary, and that watching a performance or posing for a photo does not mean you owe anyone money.
- The messages will also tell anyone who feels harassed to look for a nearby officer or call 911.
- Naft says demanding payment without a business license breaks the law.
What happened at the sign
It started with a viewer complaint sent to FOX5 about people at the sign who guide visitors into line and then ask for a “tip” or “donation.” One visitor told the station she paid because she thought someone was running the line and that paying let her skip ahead. Nobody runs that line. A posted sign at the landmark already says there are no designated photographers, anyone may take photos, and no vendors there are licensed.
Other photographers at the sign told FOX5 that one man had been pulling people out of line and getting upset when they turned down his help. When FOX5 later spoke with him, he said he does not demand tips. Plenty of visitors the station talked to had a good time, and some volunteers, including one man with his own sign saying his help is free, snap photos without asking for anything.
What the county is doing
Naft said talks about the problem have gone on for a long time. He said he gets angry when people who are trying to earn money on their own become rude, demanding or unfriendly, especially toward visitors. Besides the extra patrols, the county will post the new tipping message on its Strip marquee structures. FOX5 did not report exactly when the messages will go up or how many signs will carry them. Naft also reminded people that selling bottled water on the street is illegal and that business license officers enforce that rule.
| Welcome sign | Quick facts |
|---|---|
| Built | 1959 |
| Designed by | Betty Willis of Western Neon |
| Location | 5100 Las Vegas Blvd. South, in the median |
| Who owns it | YESCO owns the sign and leases it to Clark County |
| Historic status | National Register of Historic Places (2009) |
| Cost to visit | Free. It sits on public property |
| Official photographers | None. Posted signs say no vendors there are licensed |
What it means for you
- You don’t need anyone’s help or permission to take a picture at the sign. Wait your turn and hand your phone to someone in your group or another visitor.
- If someone offers to take your photo, the tip is your choice. Decide before you hand over your phone, and “no thanks” is a complete answer.
- If anyone gets pushy or follows you, walk away and look for an officer, or call 911.
- Planning a trip? Find hotel deals on our booking page and current casino offers on the Comp Board.
Sources
- FOX5 Las Vegas: Clark County putting up messages on the Las Vegas Strip about tipping
- FOX5 Las Vegas: Viewer complains about tipping practices at Las Vegas Welcome sign
- Wikipedia: Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign
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