Tipping in Las Vegas has reportedly dropped by as much as 50%, with servers across the Strip saying they’re struggling to earn a living amid soaring prices and declining tourism.
Many workers in the city’s hospitality industry say they’re working harder for significantly less. On Reddit’s r/VegasLocals forum, one cocktail waitress shared that her average tip per drink has plunged from 80 cents to just 10 cents. “We are working triple what we used to and making a quarter of what we did,” added another.
Jacob Soto, a supervisor at Pinkbox Doughnuts in downtown Las Vegas, told The Wall Street Journal that his weekly credit card tips have dropped from $200 to between $100 and $150.
This downturn comes as overall visitation to Las Vegas fell by 11.3% in June compared to the same time last year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. International travel is also down by about 10%.
Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Workers Union—which represents 60,000 local workers—blames federal immigration and economic policies for the decline in international tourists. “The unions, industry, and government need to repair the damage and welcome tourism back,” he told Fox News Digital.
He also welcomed the idea of a tipped income tax exemption proposed in former President Trump’s latest economic plan, but noted that “if workers aren’t making tips, the credit doesn’t help.”
Hiring freezes and staff reductions are already underway, with part-time workers—25% of the union’s members—seeing reduced hours. Pappageorge warned that full-time workers could be next.
Others point to local price-gouging as the core issue. Hospitality consultant Rob DelliBovi criticized exorbitant prices, saying, “Guests are pushing back on $18 minibar water and $37 martinis.”
Locals on Reddit echoed that frustration:
- “$25 drinks, $30 pancakes, $35 burgers … and you still have to tip?”
- “Nobody wants to give 20% on top of already overpriced s—.”
- “A beer cost me $15. That just means I drink less and tip less.”
- “Service quality is dropping, and I’m tired of tipping for everything.”
As prices soar and service standards falter, both visitors and workers are feeling the squeeze—casting a shadow over Las Vegas’ once-booming hospitality industry.
