Casino Executive Proposes Cannabis Lounges in Las Vegas Resorts

Although Nevada legalized recreational marijuana in 2017, its use remains prohibited in the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos. However, that might soon change if one casino executive has his way.

Seth Schorr, CEO of Fifth Street Gaming, believes that allowing cannabis consumption inside casinos could help revive Las Vegas’s sluggish tourism industry. Increased tourism typically leads to higher casino revenues—a vital factor for the city’s economy. While other states have already legalized online casinos to boost income, Nevada’s only legal online gambling option remains poker.

Speaking to the Cannabis Policy Institute and the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Schorr argued that Las Vegas should cater to tourists seeking cannabis lounges.

“I believe there’s a market for it, but you won’t know until you try,” Schorr said. “Much of my career has been about finding niche opportunities and creating experiences for people who want something different from the mainstream.”

He added that a casino resort with full amenities, including a cannabis lounge, could appeal to many visitors, even if not every hotel adopts the idea.

“We can’t afford to miss any opportunities. We can’t be complacent.”

Legal Hurdles Remain

Fifth Street Gaming owns several properties in Las Vegas, including Downtown Grand and Gold Spike. For Schorr’s proposal to become reality, existing state laws would need to change. The 2016 initiative that legalized recreational cannabis in Nevada prohibits marijuana dispensaries from operating within 1,500 feet (approx. 450 meters) of casinos.

Additionally, Clark County currently bans marijuana delivery to casino premises. According to Schorr, cannabis is just another leisure option, like alcohol or gambling, for visitors.

“People want to do something bad when they’re on vacation,” he said. “We let them drink and gamble. Some of them want to smoke cannabis. Las Vegas is about creating an experience better than home. But as other jurisdictions work cannabis into their offerings, this becomes a competitive hurdle.”

Cannabis operator David Goldwater echoed this sentiment, saying cannabis should simply be another option available to guests.

“Nevada is one of the few places where you can drink, gamble, and solicit sex 24/7,” he said. “Yet we have a conservative streak that wants to separate these vices. It’s time to rethink that.”