US casino resorts will be made to include all fees in their rates, in a big win for poker and casino players across the US.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced the change in policy, which will prohibit the in-person add-on of a “casino resort fee”, like the ones players routinely face at MGM casinos and the majority of casinos in Las Vegas.
These fees are often payable on arrival and are unavoidable, which means the price you agree online and your final bill can look very different.
But that will soon change, as casinos will be forced to display an accurate rate when you search for prices online. This will immediately lead to greater transparency and, in the medium- to long-term, may result in more competitive rates among casino resorts.
What is a Casino Resort Fee?
A casino resort fee can be listed under many different names, all of which mean the same thing. Some alternatives include:
- Resort fee
- Facility fee
- Amenity fee
- Convenience fee
- Service fee
- Destination fee
- Resort change
- Urban fee
No matter how it’s dressed up, it’s an extra fee which the hotel charges guests on arrival. You cannot opt out, and there’s no clear definition of what it includes. In theory, the resort fee could cover things like Wi-Fi, gym access, and sports channels on your TV.
In reality, many of these same casino resorts then charge guests an extra fee to use the premium Wi-Fi or access their fitness center. Plus, what if you don’t even intend to use these services?
Casino resort fees could be likened to all those booking fees and admin charges which are added on at the last second when you try to buy tickets to a big music or sporting event. It’s not clear what they cover and, frankly, can feel like an opportunistic cash grab.
When you’re playing at offshore poker rooms, this is a non-issue. But if you’re planning out your stay at a casino resort for a live poker event when you don’t know how long it’ll take until you’re eliminated, these hidden fees can have a major impact on your bottom line.
President Takes on “Junk Fees”
The battle against bait-and-switch resort fees gained momentum in 2023, when then-President Joe Biden labelled them “junk fees” and announced plans to tackle them. This has now come to fruition, with FTC Chair Lina M. Khan explaining the benefits for everyday customers.
“People deserve to know up-front what they’re being asked to pay—without worrying that they’ll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they haven’t budgeted for and can’t avoid,” said Khan.
“The FTC’s rule will put an end to junk fees around live event tickets, hotels, and vacation rentals, saving Americans billions of dollars and millions of hours in wasted time. I urge enforcers to continue cracking down on these unlawful fees and encourage state and federal policymakers to build on this success with legislation that bans unfair and deceptive junk fees across the economy.”
Transparent Prices From Q2 2025
The ruling states that casino resorts have 120 days to comply and begin displaying clear, transparent prices for their rooms which include all hidden fees.
This means that we should be able to see this come into effect at the end of March 2025 – just in time for the new PokerStars Open – putting an end to a practice which the FTC claims has attracted 72,000 comments and complaints.
While it doesn’t necessarily mean casino resort fees will disappear, they will at least need to be included in the online price. And, when customers are able to accurately compare prices across Las Vegas, it’s conceivable that the companies involved will feel pressure to lower their prices – especially if they notice a drop off in customers once the true prices are displayed.