As former topless cabaret mogul and government informant Michael Galardi walks the Las Vegas Strip schmoozing and looking for a new gig, a high-stakes strip poker match of a different type is agressively being played out at many Las Vegas topless adult entertainment clubs.
Long a “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” accepted business practice, Las Vegas strip clubs handsomely tipped cabbies that delivered lusty patrons to their doorstep. Fifty bucks was the norm for over a decade.
Until now.
As home prices and sales continue to plummet and people try to find jobs or at least hold on to their employment, many Las Vegas topless strip clubs have seen fit to double the cab tip ante to at least $100 per customer. That new ransom could equates to an average estimated payout of $5 million a year by each participating strip club. A C-note buy in for participating in the cash-for-customers game is commonly paid by Ricks’ Cabaret Gentlemen’s Club, Treasures, Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club, and many more- at least the ones that aren’t secretly looking for new owners or staving off their bankruptcy.
No end appears in sight for the advancing Taxi Topless War. Many clubs are trying to recoup rising “acquisition” costs by charging higher cover charges and drink prices. Rick’s CEO and President Eric Langan mirrors the intentions of many strip club owners, saying he has no intention to be outbid by his Sin City bretheren and is willing to write off the expenses as the cost of marketing.
As Las Vegas cab and limo drivers rake in record amounts of dough, they’re also arguing more with doormen to cut ever higher deals. And it’s not uncommon to see cab drivers pass up picking up ladies waiting for a ride on the street in favor of waiting gents that can bring them more revenue.
Casino hosts, too, are also rapidly buying in to the very lucrative cash-for-customers game. They’re not just referring their clients to the strip clubs, but hosting them inside the caverns of lust.
And, of course, you can bet your last dollar that the IRS will eventually come sniffing around and look for its due.
Recession hitting the Las Vegas topless clubs? Pshaw!
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