LAS VEGAS - Las Vegas is known as an adult playground. You can bet it all at posh hotels or splurge at high-end gentlemen's clubs, but not under the same roof.
Now, Atlantic City is mixing girls and gambling in an unprecedented way, giving the Taj Mahal the go-ahead to open a Scores strip club inside the casino.
David Schwartz is director of UNLV's Center for Gaming Research. He says Atlantic City is trying to reinvent itself. He doesn't expect to see too many Las Vegas casinos advertising strip clubs on property.
"I don't think it's inevitable, just because I think the gaming license is worth so much," he said. "I don't see that they'd want to risk jeopardizing it by having the strip clubs come in. I think it really could be a pretty combustible mix there."
Scores Atlantic City still needs its liquor license. The New Jersey topless dancing rules would be stricter than strip club rules in place here. For example, lap dances would not be allowed.
Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak believes a gentlemen's club in a gambling hall would likely be a tough battle - even in a city known for its "What happens here, stays here" image.
"Some casinos have bowling alleys and movie theatres and kids' play lands. Other casinos don't have that sort of thing," he said. "I don't think it would be appropriate in a family-type atmosphere. You wouldn't want a strip club right next door or a gentlemen's club. But, some of the properties that are more adult-oriented, I don't know, that would be a call they'd have to make."
Las Vegas also depends on business meetings more than Atlantic City.
"I think maybe a lot of women might not be so eager to let their husbands go to conventions if they know there's a strip club right in the hotel," Schwartz said.
If a casino wanted to bring a topless club to Las Vegas, it would need the approval of the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
So far, no Nevada casinos are proposing the idea.
