Clark County officials have begun using digital billboards along the Las Vegas Strip to tell visitors that tips for street performances and photographs are optional. The messages appeared Oct. 16, according to reports cited by Fox News and FOX5 Las Vegas.
The campaign is aimed at performers who pressure tourists for money or suggest that payment is compulsory, rather than at voluntary tipping, the reports said. Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft told FOX5 that the conduct harms the Strip’s economic vitality and, in turn, the state’s tax base. Fox News Digital said it contacted Clark County for further comment.
The warnings followed a Sept. 30 dispute involving two visitors from North Carolina and three women dressed as showgirls outside Planet Hollywood. According to an arrest report cited by Fox News Digital, the visitors paid $20 for photos and began to leave. Performer Jennifer Ortiz allegedly followed them and demanded between $60 and $180 for the pictures.
The encounter turned into a fight, leaving both visitors injured, the report said. Police said one visitor was struck more than 22 times and suffered a forehead cut nearly two inches long after Ortiz allegedly hit the person with a high-heeled boot. These details are allegations reported in connection with the case, not findings of guilt.
Ortiz and another performer, Magdellena Romero, were arrested. Ortiz was charged with battery and obtaining money under false pretenses in an amount below $1,200; Romero was charged with battery. The supplied report does not describe the subsequent status or outcome of the charges.
The billboard effort has drawn online responses from travelers and Las Vegas residents. Some commenters said demands for tips had become excessive or had been a longstanding concern, while one suggested avoiding engagement with performers. Those comments reflect individual views and do not establish how widespread the conduct is.
The central message from county officials is that visitors may choose to tip, but are not required to pay for a photo or street performance. The campaign responds to reported pressure on tourists while leaving voluntary gratuities untouched.
