Are Casinos for Kids or Adults? 

The area of contention lately with all of the casinos is whether or not they are kid friendly. There was a time when las Vegas had a seedier image that they were trying to fix, and they catered to the family unit. They put in rides and shows, and things that the entire family could enjoy. They found things to occupy the kids while mom and dad were playing the slot machines. However, now many feel that Las Vegas has gotten a little too kid friendly, and want to see less of them while they are trying to gamble.  

Those that are not bringing their kids along, are disturbed to be playing a slot machine and turn to their left or right and see a child hanging out. They feel that this is a place for adults only, and that the kids should be left at home. This group either doesn’t have children, or they leave their children at home – for they feel that the last place a child should be allowed is a casino, especially out on the gaming floor by the slot machines where they might actually be able to play them. 

The other group, the ones that have children and bring them with them, say that since there are so many family friendly things to do with your children in Vegas, why wouldn’t you bring them? This group finds stuff to do with their kids while they are playing the slot machines or gambling at the tables, or if their kids are old enough – they leave them in the hotel room while they go play. 

Then of course, there are those parents that allow their children to wander around the casinos with their kids late at night, or they sit at the slot machines with their child next to them. Other parents feel that this is completely wrong, they don’t want to sit by their kids and wish that they would do a better job of raising their children. Of course, the ones that bring their kids don’t see anything wrong with it – even though the casino employees have to keep telling them to take their children elsewhere.  

The casinos are very much on the fence with it, as they don’t want to upset any of the camps, for they all end up putting money in their pockets. In Atlantic City, the casinos make the areas very clear where children are allowed and where they aren’t. There is no passing through of the casinos or near the slot machines; they have those areas cordoned off so that kids can’t get in. Vegas, however, is a different story. They allow parents to walk through with their kids, and thus you end up with kids by slot machines and gambling tables.  The casinos say they are following the letter of the law, so that unless they actually break the law, they are doing everything they can to keep everyone happy.

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