When you think about Las Vegas, strange laws are surely not the first thing that comes to mind. Exciting nightlife, luxurious resorts, and spectacular casinos along the Strip are some of the main attractions for visitors.
However, if you’ve set a course for Sin City, eager to bask in its extravagant gambling scene, it would be a good idea to learn about its laws. While most of these are quite intuitive and reasonable, some might outright shock you.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the weirdest laws in Las Vegas, so you won’t find yourself in a pickle over some seemingly insignificant issue the next time you visit.
Table of Contents:
- Swearing on the Strip
- Flagging Down a Taxi on the Strip
- Riding a Camel on a Highway
- Keeping Exotic Animals as Pets
- Feeding Wild Animals
- Conclusion
Swearing on the Strip
While the ban on swearing might seem more like a matter of cultural norms and one’s own manners, it has actually been written into law in Las Vegas. Any kind of profane or vile language is prohibited from being uttered on the streets of Las Vegas, in addition to any other obscene behavior.
We imagine that this ban may easily pose a challenge for a Strip visitor who has been hit by a stroke of bad luck. Luckily, the prohibition hasn’t been enforced in quite some time, so you don’t have to fret about fines for letting a few curse words slip now and then.
We don’t know what the future of gaming may bring and whether this ban will get lifted but do try to stay on the safe side of the law most of the time.
Flagging Down a Taxi on the Strip
As a tourist or even a local who needs to get home quickly after an exhausting night of partying and gambling on the Las Vegas Strip, you would probably head right for the street and try to catch a cab, right? Well, think again.
Hailing a taxi on the Strip is precisely what is illegal in LV, and this also goes for using taxi apps. Luckily, most casinos and hotels enable their own transportation services, so you can easily get around without getting in trouble with the law.
Riding a Camel on a Highway
Yes, you read that right — riding a camel on a highway in Las Vegas is illegal, so don’t even think about saddling up your dromedary friend. As far as funny laws in Las Vegas go, this one is pretty bizarre, because people in the area usually use alternative means of transportation nowadays.
While it does seem crazy, the ban on camel riding was justified in the 1800s, when many people used these animals for load transportation across the local desert lands. This trend caused crowded streets, leading to the enactment of this prohibition.
Keeping Exotic Animals as Pets
Although you may not be allowed to ride a camel on the streets of Las Vegas, you could very well own one, thanks to the law that allows keeping exotic animals as pets. While most other US states strictly forbid the possession of such animals, this is not the case in the aptly named Sin City.
In addition to camels, some other creatures that can legally be your companions include lions, tigers, monkeys, alpacas, ostriches, and even zebras, bison, and elephants, among other species.
Feeding Wild Animals
If you’re against animal cruelty and find the previous law on this list abhorrent, you’ve probably also found yourself feeding a stray cat now and then. Well, you may have to rethink your habits in Las Vegas, as this well-intentioned gesture could get you in trouble with the law.
Namely, the Las Vegas legislation forbids feeding all wild animals, including pigeons, rabbits, and stray cats, due to concerns for public health. The fines are relatively reasonable, though — only $10 per offense, a much more tolerable amount than the previous $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.
Final Thoughts
There you have it — some of the weirdest laws in Las Vegas. Unlike most reasonable legislation, these bizarre examples are not something you could intuit or even fully understand. However, if you’re planning a gambling getaway to this exhilarating destination, we suggest that you read up on the city’s regulations and make sure you stay on the right side of the law.
The article above is not a legal document, please enjoy it purely for creative and general amusement.
