Additional Coverage:
- A Las Vegas strip club says it’s gotten a surge of auditions from laid-off hospitality workers (businessinsider.com)
Vegas Tourism Slump Leads to Unexpected Boom at Local Strip Club
Las Vegas, NV – While the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip have seen a downturn in visitor numbers, one local establishment is experiencing an unexpected surge: Crazy Horse 3, an adult entertainment venue, reports a significant increase in dancer auditions, including a wave of first-timers.
As tourism figures for Las Vegas declined last year, with a notable 7.4% drop in visits by November compared to the previous year, the leisure and hospitality sectors have felt the pinch, leading to job losses across the metro area. However, Crazy Horse 3, situated near Allegiant Stadium, has seen a 55% jump in nightly auditions for adult entertainers since June.
Louis Aceves, the club’s general acting manager, with nearly 12 years in the industry, describes the current situation as unprecedented. “People are looking for other streams of income,” Aceves stated, noting that the club has maintained steady demand, partly due to strong local patronage. He shared that what used to be two to four auditions on a slow night has now increased to six to eight, and can reach 10 to 12 during major events like the Consumer Electronics Show.
Many of these new hopefuls are individuals laid off from hotel and casino jobs, or those facing reduced hours and seeking more flexible, lucrative work. Several prominent casinos, including Fontainebleau and Resorts World, implemented layoffs last year, contributing to the 4,700 job losses in the Las Vegas metro area between September and November, with leisure and hospitality being the hardest hit.
Gina, a dancer who preferred to use only her stage name, shared her personal journey. After seven years as a VIP host at a high-end Vegas hotel, she was laid off in the summer of 2025.
Facing dwindling savings and a tough job market, she decided to audition at Crazy Horse. “I was definitely nervous, but it was like, ‘Okay, well what am I going to do?'”
she recounted, admitting that adult entertainment was never a path she envisioned. “You have to figure it out.”
Surprisingly, Gina found that her previous skills, particularly in connecting with and attending to high-profile clientele, translated well to her new role. She also revealed a significant financial upside, often earning more in a week than she previously made in a month. As independent contractors, the dancers also benefit from greater control over their schedules, allowing Gina the flexibility to pursue other interests like digital marketing and becoming a yoga instructor.
Despite her initial apprehension, Gina describes the transition as empowering. “This has taught me how to adapt even more and how to be resilient,” she concluded. The unexpected shift in the Las Vegas job market appears to be creating new avenues for those seeking financial stability and flexibility in a challenging economic climate.