LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Day clubs and nightclubs are becoming a bigger part of the Las Vegas experience for many but along with the fun comes some of the illicit activities that have landed some big name hotels and casinos in serious trouble.
On any given night, it's a party in Sin City.
"Any clubs of our size, you're talking 3,000 to 5,000 people every time those doors open," said Todd Fasulo, Wynn Las Vegas Vice President of Security and Crisis Management.
There is a constant choreography of searching, metal detection, ID checks and a look out for what doesn't belong.
"We don't tolerate one single bit," said Fasulo.
The Wynn and Encore were recently ranked in the top 2 among the 50 best casinos in America, as determined by people using TripAdvisor.
Fasulo, a former Assistant Sheriff with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, is tasked with keeping the properties safe.
"I think a lot of it comes from by previous experience being a police officer for so long," said Fasulo.
Fasulo says the club industry as a whole has changed a lot in the past decade.
"Years ago, we recognized at Metro [police] that we needed to get out in front of the club industry and actually put some best practices into place," said Fasulo.
13 Investigates reviewed documents from the Nevada Gaming Control Board dating back to 2009 which show some prominent Las Vegas casinos have run afoul of state regulators when it comes to clubs.
Specifically, the documents show state regulators were concerned with "Incidences of excessive inebriation, drug distribution and abuse, violence, the involvement of minors and the handling of those individuals who became incapacitated while at the club[s]"
Documents show several hotel and casinos including, Mandalay Bay, Planet Hollywood, The Palms, and Hard Rock Hotel and Casino have been assessed hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.
"That is a big deal," said Fasulo.
"That is the teeth to the industry," added Fasulo.
The Wynn and Encore have yearly employee compliance training and Fasulo says everyone is clear on the expectations for safety and security.
"We have a zero tolerance policy," said Fasulo.
"We will search every bag, we will pat down every person and we wand every person," explained Fasulo.
"We don't allow any type of weapon," said Fasulo.
The Gaming Control Board tells 13 Investigates that with legislation passed in 2015, there's more scrutiny and oversight for clubs and operators.
LIST OF RECENT FINES
July 2009
Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino
$750,000
https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3026
https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3025
Prive nightclub employees removed patrons who were over intoxicated and left them unattended on the casino floor in various states of consciousness
Several allegations that employees assaulted, battered both physically and sexually patrons.
Other violations
December 2010
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
$650,000
https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3066
https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3065
Body English nightclub was targeted in an undercover operation.
Metro narcotic detectives were offered, a private restroom for drug use, “girls” to his table.
Employee revealed he was on ecstasy while working.
Employees sold cocaine to undercover detective, ecstacy pills, marijuana.
January 2013
Palms Casino Resort
$1,078,000
https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=7506
https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=7553
Moon nightclub was targeted in an undercover operation.
Undercover investigator was sold cocaine, offered prostitutes, and sold a Percocet pill.
Also offered a private room for the ingestion of drugs, among other findings
March 2014
Mandalay Bay
$500,000
https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=8712
https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=8743
House of Blues Foundation Room was targeted in an undercover operation
Undercover investigator was sold cocaine, given a private room for sex, and offered other illegal drugs
