I read an article in Time magazine last year which stated that Vegas is catering to the 20/30 something crowd that aren't afraid of spending $$$$ on hotel rooms and in ultra lounges. I can't remember exactly the numbers stated, but I believe the article said that the hotels were no longer making the most $$ from the gamblers, but from the "younger" party crowd and are therefore catering to their wants and needs rather than the gamblers'. I just turned 40 this year so I'm no longer in the desired demographic unfortunately. (My husband and I are no longer in rock bands, but dammit we consider ourselves to still be "cool.") I used to only come to Vegas from Los Angeles twice a year, always stay at the Hard Rock, not gamble nearly as much (was strictly a nickel vp player) and I always got offered free rooms, upgrades to suites at no additional charge and killer comps. Now I go 6-7 times a year, play quarters and dollars and never qualify to get more than a free cabana and !
a discount on food. (Every once in a while they'll send a free room coupon for mid-week, but since I live out of the State, it really doesn't do me any good.) Why should they when they sell out consistently at $300 a night and sell alcohol so quickly each night that the beer doesn't even have time to get cold (a pet peeve of mine)? I usually have to kick out the hipsters trying to pick up on one another at the bar as I want to play vp instead of socialize and I'm sure the bartender frowns as they're making a heck of a lot more money charging $8.00-$10.00 a martini than they're making off me playing vp and getting free beer. I love the Hard Rock because I feel at home there and my husband, friends and I are well suited for the environment, but I feel like I've been cast aside and no longer treated like the "royalty" I once was. (Big sigh). 
Karen V.
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From: "irdd3000" <irdd@netzero.net>
Date: 2005/03/04 Fri PM 12:28:47 PST
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: New Jean Scott Frugal Fridays Column