What happens in Las Vegas may stay there, but that does not mean you can do whatever you want. The city still delivers wild energy, endless entertainment, and that famous sense of freedom, yet even Vegas has limits. Rules tightened, loopholes vanished, and a few old traditions disappeared. Here are ten things you cannot do in Las Vegas anymore.
Take Free Selfies with Performers
Costumed showgirls and characters on the Strip are not free photo ops anymore. The city now uses designated activity circles for performers, and tipping is expected when you step in for a picture. Try to snap one without paying, and you will get pushback fast, sometimes with officers stepping in.
Pass Out Handbills
The days of grabbing flashy cards from sidewalk hawkers in Las Vegas are mostly over. Clark County now bans unpermitted handbill distribution, and fines can hit one thousand dollars. Only approved promoters in marked zones can pass anything out. Security teams confiscate materials quickly, and repeat attempts can end in arrest.
Party on Balconies
Resorts on the Strip tightened balcony rules after repeated safety issues and costly lawsuits. Noise complaints now bring fast warnings, fines can run high, and repeat offenders risk eviction. Several hotels removed balcony access entirely, and security quickly shuts down any gathering that starts getting loud.
Smoke in Casinos
Lighting up on the gaming floor is no longer a guarantee. Many major resorts now run partial or fully smoke-free areas, and some removed smoking from hotel rooms altogether because cleaning costs soared. Stepping outside designated zones brings quick security attention, a shift driven by rising guest complaints about indoor smoke.
Find Easy Free Parking
Those carefree days of rolling into a garage without paying are mostly gone. More than 70% of Strip resorts now charge for self-parking or valet, and rates climb during major events. A few properties offer breaks for locals or guests, but most visitors pay each time they move, turning parking into a steady moneymaker for casinos.
Smoke Marijuana Anywhere
Recreational cannabis may be legal in Nevada, but lighting up in public is not. Sidewalks, garages, hotel balconies, and casino entrances are all off limits, and citations often start at $600. Only specially licensed venues can allow on-site consumption.
Record & Take Pictures in Casinos
Filming on the gaming floor is tightly controlled, especially in high-limit areas where $100,000+ play is common. Security teams monitor phones within seconds, and recording near tables or cashier cages is prohibited. Guests making social content are often stopped and told to delete clips, with repeat violations leading to removal or full bans.
Sleep In Your Car
Dozing off in a parked vehicle is no longer overlooked on the Strip. Most garages now run security patrols every 60–90 minutes, and cars with covered windows or signs of overnight stays get flagged fast. Towing can top $400, and citations follow. Complaints about vehicle sleeping jumped nearly 30% in recent years, so enforcement is now extremely aggressive.
Drink On the Strip
You can still sip as you wander, but not however you want. Glass containers are banned across the Strip, and security grabs bottles fast, especially after 6 p.m. Drinks must be in plastic cups, and major events attracting 100,000+ visitors often trigger temporary alcohol restrictions. Ignore the rule, and citations can top $250.
Get Married Right Now!
Spur-of-the-moment weddings are not as instant as legend suggests. Marriage licenses are only issued during set hours, usually 8 a.m. to midnight, and you must have a valid ID. Chapels cannot perform late-night ceremonies without that license in hand. Stricter documentation rules ended the old middle of the night walk in and get married fantasy.
Freedom Comes With Fine Print
Las Vegas still thrives on excess, excitement, and unforgettable nights, but the city no longer operates on a anything-goes mindset. Between stricter casino policies, county regulations, and heightened resort enforcement, many once-common behaviors now carry real consequences. Knowing what is no longer allowed helps travelers avoid fines, security issues, and awkward run-ins that can quickly derail a trip. Vegas remains one of the world’s most electric destinations, but enjoying it today means understanding the rules behind the lights.
If you want to stay one step ahead on your next trip, here are a few other travel reads worth checking out next:
- 10 Changes Travelers Should Expect in 2026
- Explore 10 of America’s Happiest States
- Why Belize Is Central America’s Newest Best-Kept Secret
- The Best and Worst Seats on the World’s Most Common Airplanes, According to Flight Attendants
- 12 Trips Worth Planning in 2026: Sensory Journeys and Slow Adventures