Fake IDs

Nevada makes it “unlawful for a person to possess, sell or transfer any document or personal identifying information for the purpose of establishing a false status, occupation, membership, license or identity for himself or herself or any other person.” If the sole purpose of possessing the fake ID is to make the holder appear old enough to gamble, drink or buy cigarettes, then it’s a misdemeanor carrying up to six months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines. If you are using false identification for more serious criminal activity like credit card fraud, then the penalties are much more severe. NRS 205.460; NRS 205.465.

Markers

Markers allow individuals to gamble on credit. A marker looks like and is equivalent to a personal check in Nevada. If you gamble on credit at a casino, make absolutely sure that you have the funds available to repay your markers. If you don’t, not only will the casino potentially sue you civilly but you also may face criminal prosecution for passing a bad check, which is a felony. Further, the interest rate for unrepaid markers is steep, usually 18% per annum. So, if you take out a $100,000 marker and don’t repay it, that’s $18,000 a year in interest.

Advantage Gambling (Counting Cards)

Card counting is a casino card game strategy used primarily in blackjack to determine whether future hands are likely to give a probable advantage to the player or to the dealer.  Card counting attempts to reverse the casino house edge by keeping a tally of all high and low valued cards seen by the player.  Players will bet more when the count gives them an advantage and bet less during an unfavorable count.

Card Counting is not illegal in Nevada but many casinos frown on it and do not permit patrons to engage in the practice.  If a casino suspects you are counting cards, you may be asked to stop; it may ask you refrain from playing blackjack; but allow you to play other table games; or trespass you (ask you to leave the property).

Hotel Room Keys, Hotel Doors and Safes

From a safety standpoint, it is important to keep track of your room keys, make sure your hotel room door is always firmly shut and utilize the safe in your room to keep valuables.  While Las Vegas is generally safe and hotels go to great lengths to protect their patrons, crime does still happen and visitors here can be easy marks.  Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

In Las Vegas, it is a crime for someone to have unauthorized possession of a hotel key under circumstances which demonstrate the person’s intent to commit a crime (for example, burglary, prostitution, theft or drug crimes).  It is a gross misdemeanor and often persecuted with the other crime committed.  NRS 205.900.