Las Vegas Do's & Dont's

Tikay10

With SPT Las Vegas just over 2 months away, & packages being won regularly, think it's time to set up a thread to seek & receive Vegas advice for those who have not been before.

Please note ANYONE can use this thread, both to seek OR give advice. The more the merrier.

I'll try & contribute as & when.

So let's start with something that is non-negotiable - ESTA.

Tikay10

"ESTA" stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization and is run by the HomeLand Security Department of the US Government.

If you don't have an ESTA, you are not going to Vegas, simple as. In effect, it's a Visa to visit the USA.

Don't worry though, they are cheap ($21) quick to get (usually within a week or two) & last two years.

It's quite a lengthy form, numerous pages, but it's a beautiful piece of software & a joy to use.

Here's the Website to use;

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

However, a couple of warnings. (To follow).

Tikay10

First up, answer ALL the questions truthfully. If you mess with these people, you won't get your ESTA. No ESTA means no Vegas or anywhere else in the USA. Seriously, this is not the time to see if they have a sense of humour. Answer all the questions & ANSWER THEM CORRECTLY.


Second warning follows.....

Tikay10

ONLY use the website I linked earlier, this one;

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

Why? Well when you google "ESTA" all sorts of Official looking Website pop up at the top of the page, for example;


https://govtravelsupport.com/esta-application-lp/?UKESTA&utm_campaign=21055970336&utm_term=esta&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rNru74UgWaPlatHzo1FNo6PNpvYR0e24VRqXfl-wcU-Esr2PY5KBnBoCEHgQAvD_BwE


https://visa.govassist.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rIf0QFVqeJafCkUO6CKPDCBsXz13vvUp5i4LncHfKy9bzWCfaPIVVBoCLPMQAvD_BwE



https://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/esta-uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rKL0Z1cml5PU8abVUxEaIYSjoHP9ALXC6MpWBaW52ONcCpxhccKnQhoC03IQAvD_BwE



NONE of those sites are the Official Site, none of them are connected to the US Government, & they will charge you a multiple of the official fee ($21), in many cases over $100.

ONLY USE THIS SITE;

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

poppy765

Good advice, Thanks Tikay

HUGHMANS

OK cool. First Q. Do you have to go for 7 nights? Can you go for 4 or 5? Does the Sky schedule for events allow that?

HUGHMANS

And do you have to pay US tax on any winnings? How would that work?

FORDAKIDZ

HUGHMANS said:

And do you have to pay US tax on any winnings? How would that work?

I think there is a form that you MUST complete regarding this question, i have never been so expect some more detailed answers to follow.

Tikay10

HUGHMANS said:

OK cool. First Q. Do you have to go for 7 nights? Can you go for 4 or 5? Does the Sky schedule for events allow that?

@HUGHMANS


Your room is booked for 7 nights but if you If you wish to stay for less than the 7 nights, that's fine.

The schedule is flexible, so it's entirely up to you.

Tikay10

HUGHMANS said:

And do you have to pay US tax on any winnings? How would that work?

@HUGHMANS


I have limited knowledge here so maybe some of the other lads or @NChanning might be able to help.

I believe the current position is that we have to pay tax of 30% on any winnings over $5,000. However, if you have an ITIN, or if the Casino have a facility to apply on your behalf (some do, some don't), then that solves the problem. You can apply for an ITIN now by filling in Form W-7, or that was the case last I heard.

HUGHMANS

Ah well, that would be a nice obligation to worry about! Thanks

bert21

Not really poker, but only cross at traffic lights and correct crossings unless you want to part with $160 for jaywalking

ITSQUADSY

bert21 said:

Not really poker, but only cross at traffic lights and correct crossings unless you want to part with $160 for jaywalking

@aj880

Tikay10

bert21 said:

Not really poker, but only cross at traffic lights and correct crossings unless you want to part with $160 for jaywalking

@bert21



Fair point & completely relevant.

The Strip (correct name "Las Vegas Boulevard") is up to 14 lanes wide in places, never less than 10 lanes wide, & the roads that bisect it (Desert Inn, Spring Mountain, Tropicana, Flamingo etc) are all at least 10 lanes wide. Apart from a fine, you'll likely get knocked over too. Go to the pedestrian crossings (look for the "PedEx" signs) or use the pedestrian bridges that are all along the Strip, all of which have Escalators so you don't have to walk up endless stairs.

Tikay10

It's blisteringly hot in Vegas - you must know that - BUT when you wander into Casinos or Shops they all have AirCon set to Max & within minutes you'll be freezing. Take a hoodie or warm top, especially if you plan to play poker. You'll be shivering unless you have a warm "top" on.

Outside, BE CAREFUL. Typically in June, July & August it will be over 100F all day every day. Sunburn in Vegas is the nut worst thing, especially just before a 10 hour flight home.

Tikay10

Money

You can take as much cash as you want, BUT if you have over $10,000 you MUST declare it. There's a simple form to fill in, only takes a minute. Don't be telling any fibs about it either, or else you'll be in a world of pain at Las Vegas Airport Immigration.

After an average 45 minute wait in the Immigration Hall you'll be asked a bunch of questions & be fingerprinted. If they are not happy with your answers, you get sent to the Naughty Room where the average wait is SIX hours.

Seriously, don't mess with the Immigration staff, they don't have a sense of humour.

Tikay10

Set a strict budget for spending, Vegas has the ability to suck money out of your pockets.

If you take "plastic" with you, be strict with yourself, it's so easy to get carried away.

Tikay10

A few extra nights in Vegas?

Great idea, most players do that, but be careful, the room rates the Hotels quote do not include "Resort Tax" (which is not a tax at all, it's just an addition to the room rate). As an example, Wynn, Encore & Venetian all charge an extra $50 PER NIGHT Resort Fee - plus Tax, which is roughly another 14% on top.

What do you get for Resort Fee? Usually, access to the Hotel Gym, & "Free" Wifi.

Tikay10

More to follow in the coming days, & hopefully others will contribute either with questions or answers.

NChanning

On the tax thing...

Gambling winnings in the UK are tax free as you all probably know.

In the States, for US citizens, they are simply part of your income and you declare them at the end of your year on your tax return but for bigger wins they take the tax and then you'll have to prove losses that you've made at the end of the year and get any owed back.

Luckily the UK has a tax treaty with the US which makes it all pretty easy. You just need to be set up with an Individual Tax Identification Number, (ITIN), and if you have a win over the threshold they fill in a form at the payout desk, put your ITIN on the form and pay you in full.

An accountant can set up an ITIN for you in less than 20 minutes and once you have it that is your number for life. If you cash at the WSOP they will have someone there to do it for you for free, and generally the bigger places like Venetian, Aria or Bellagio will do it for you.

If you do cash at a place where they won't do it for you and you haven't got an ITIN then they will take the tax but if you keep the paperwork you can claim it back when you get your ITIN. If that did happen then you could pay about $300 to get one sorted by an accountant or just wait until you cash somewhere where they sort it for you.

Tikay10

ITIN etc - thanks Neil @NChanning