Las Vegas Accessibility Guide for Visitors and Slot Players

Author: Ian C. Langtree - View Credentials
Published: 1 Feb 2010 - Updated: 8 Nov 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information is a practical guide to visiting Las Vegas for seniors and people with disabilities, with a special look at slot machines, one of the most popular games among older visitors. It covers which accessible hotel room and casino features to expect under the ADA, how to get around the Strip by bus, monorail, taxi or the RTC paratransit service, which accepts visitors who have paratransit eligibility at home, and how to rent a wheelchair or scooter. It also separates slot machine facts from myths, explains Nevada's payback rule and gives tips for gambling safely and finding free help. The guide helps travelers plan a more comfortable and accessible trip.

At a Glance

• 1 - Distances on the Strip are longer than they look.
• 2 - Slot machines are called pokies in Australia and fruit machines in the UK.
• 3 - Charles Fey's Liberty Bell paid a top prize of ten nickels for three bells in a row.
• 4 - Because every spin is random, a slot machine is never due to pay out, no matter how long it has gone without a win.

Topic Definition

Slot Machine Payback Percentage

A slot machine payback percentage, also called return to player, is the share of all money wagered on a machine that it is designed to pay back to players as winnings over a very large number of plays. A machine with a 90% payback returns, on average, 90 cents of every dollar wagered over time, while the remaining 10% is the casino's edge. Results in any one session can vary widely.

Overview

More than 1 in 4 adults in the United States, 28.7%, has some type of disability, and the share rises to 43.9% among people aged 65 and over [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024]. Las Vegas welcomed about 38.5 million visitors in 2024 [Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, 2025], and many of them are seniors or travelers with disabilities, drawn by the shows, restaurants and casinos of the Strip and downtown.

Accessible Casinos and Hotels in Las Vegas

Las Vegas resorts are large, mostly level and built for crowds, which makes many of them easier to get around than older venues elsewhere. Casinos, hotels, restaurants and shops must meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including accessible entrances, routes, restrooms and parking, and hotels must offer accessible guest rooms, including rooms with roll-in showers and rooms with communication features for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing. Room designs and services still vary between hotels, so confirm the exact features you need when you book, and ask whether the pool has a lift and whether there is an accessible route to any show you plan to see.

Getting Around Las Vegas

Distances on the Strip are longer than they look, and walking between neighboring resorts can take far longer than expected. Options include:

• RTC buses: the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada runs accessible public buses, including routes along the Strip.
• RTC paratransit: visitors who are eligible for ADA paratransit where they live can use RTC paratransit for up to 21 days in a 365-day period by sending proof of their eligibility before they arrive, and trips must start and end within the RTC service area [Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, 2026].
• Taxis and rideshare: wheelchair accessible taxis can be requested, and rideshare apps offer accessible vehicle options in some areas.
• Las Vegas Monorail: an elevated train serving several resorts on the east side of the Strip.

Renting a Wheelchair or Scooter

Several companies rent manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters by the day or week and deliver to hotels, and some resorts rent them on site. Book ahead during conventions and holidays, when demand is high, and check that you can charge a scooter in your room.

Slot Machines for Seniors and Visitors with Disabilities

For many older adults and visitors with disabilities, playing slots is a favorite form of gambling because it can be done seated, at your own pace and with no special skill. Many casinos can remove a stool to make room for a wheelchair, and staff can help with players club cards and cashing out. Machines with large screens and adjustable volume can help players with low vision or hearing loss.

Slot Machine Facts and Myths

• The first widely successful slot machine, the Liberty Bell, was built by Charles Fey in San Francisco in the 1890s, and three bells in a row paid the top prize of ten nickels.
• Slot machines are known as fruit machines in the UK and poker machines, or pokies, in Australia.
• Modern machines use random number generators, so every spin is independent: a machine is never due to pay out, and nothing a player does changes the odds.
• In Nevada, every gaming device must be designed to pay back at least 75% of the amounts wagered over time, and many pay back more, but the casino always keeps an edge [Nevada Gaming Commission, 2024].

Gambling Safely

Set a budget before you play and stick to it, use only money you can afford to lose, take regular breaks and never chase losses. Problem gambling can affect anyone, and older adults on fixed incomes, people living with pain or isolation and people taking some medicines that affect impulse control may be at higher risk. Free, confidential help is available around the clock from the National Problem Gambling Helpline by call or text at 1-800-MY-RESET or by online chat [National Council on Problem Gambling, 2026].

More on this topic: Accessible Gaming Publications - America Travel Publications - Addiction Publications

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Las Vegas shows wheelchair accessible?

Most major theaters have wheelchair spaces and companion seats, and many offer assistive listening devices, but book accessible seats in advance.

Can I bring my service dog into a casino?

Yes. Under the ADA, casinos, hotels and restaurants must allow trained service dogs to go with people with disabilities into public areas.

Is the Las Vegas airport accessible?

Harry Reid International Airport has accessible restrooms, elevators and wheelchair assistance, which you can request from your airline when booking.

Is it safe to visit Las Vegas in summer with a disability?

Summer temperatures often pass 100 degrees, so people with heat-sensitive conditions such as MS should stay hydrated, limit time outdoors and use indoor routes.

Do casinos offer discounts for seniors?

Many casino players clubs run senior days with discounts on dining, free play or prizes, so ask at the players club desk.

Can I use a mobility scooter inside casinos?

Yes. Mobility scooters and power chairs are allowed throughout casinos, though crowds can be heavy, so move slowly and use quieter areas when possible.

What are the signs of a gambling problem?

Signs include spending more than you planned, borrowing money to gamble, hiding gambling from family and feeling restless when trying to cut back.

Can I ban myself from Las Vegas casinos?

Many casino companies offer voluntary self-exclusion programs that bar you from their properties and marketing, so ask at the players club or security desk.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Disability and health data now.
• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. (2025). Las Vegas visitor statistics.
• National Council on Problem Gambling. (2026). National Problem Gambling Helpline.
• Nevada Gaming Commission. (2024). Regulation 14: Manufacturers, distributors, operators of inter-casino linked systems, gaming devices (Rev. 12/24).
• Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. (2026). Paratransit and accessibility: Frequently asked questions.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Las Vegas has more accessible rooms, level walkways and seated entertainment than most destinations, but its sheer size can still wear out travelers who use mobility aids or tire easily, so planning routes, booking accessible transport early and pacing each day pays off. Gambling should stay a form of entertainment: setting a firm budget, using cash rather than credit and taking breaks protects both money and well-being, especially for retirees on fixed incomes. Anyone worried that gambling is getting out of control, for themselves or a family member, can get free and confidential help at any hour.

Author Credentials: Ian C. Langtree is a writer, editor, and the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, which he established in 2004 as one of the longest-running independent resources for disability news and information. Over more than two decades, he has written and edited thousands of articles on disability rights, health, accessibility, and assistive technology. Drawing on a global perspective shaped by extensive travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed advocate of the Social Model of Disability, the framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that focuses on removing societal barriers rather than on individual impairments. His writing is grounded in that framework and in a lasting commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.