As a professional poker player with more than $4m in live earnings, Englishman Patrick Leonard knows a thing or two about casinos. He recently decided to weigh-in on the debate about resort fees in Las Vegas, prompted by news that Caesars Entertainment’s share price had dropped significantly in 12 months.
Las Vegas Locally shared the initial news about Caesars, highlighting that the casino giant’s share price had fallen 59% over the past year:
The news ties into the wider discussion regarding Las Vegas’s economy. The American gambling hub has had a difficult 2025, with visitation levels dropping significantly year-on-year. Nevada casino revenue has remained stable, but hotel occupancy and arrivals to Harry Reid International Airport have both taken a big hit.
Leonard thinks resort fees have a big role to play in this decline. In a post to X, he urged Caesars to “delete resort fees,” claiming they make a visitor feel like they’re being scammed as soon as they arrive:
Resorts fees are mandatory nightly payments made by guests staying at resorts. They are added to the room rates and cover hotel amenities and services. According to Leonard, it feels like everyone in Las Vegas is lining up to try to get money out of you, whether it’s resort fees, paying $30 for a photo with a showgirl, or $11 for a cappuccino in Starbucks.
Plenty of people joined in the discussion with their own opinions in the post’s replies. Most agreed with his stance, with some suggesting that resort fees should be seasonal or that they should guarantee better service.
