Are Gambling Influencers Trouble for Casinos? cover art
Mar 20, 2023

Are Gambling Influencers Trouble for Casinos?

Show Notes

If you follow any kind of Vegas news online, the algorithms will inevitably surface 

“gambling influencers” on your social media feeds. These are typically accounts that livestream hours and hours of slot play — with millions and millions of views. It’s a new phenomenon, casino industry expert Scott Roeben (AKA Vital Vegas) tells co-host Dayvid Figler. And casinos aren’t quite sure what to do with them — are they helping casinos? What about the influencers dabbling in illegal betting practices, or other questionable legal gray areas? And then there’s the dark side of it all: Are they making problem gambling worse?


What’s your take on gambling influencers? Got a favorite gambling influencer? Let us know, and tell us why! Tag us on social media (we’re @CityCastVegas on Twitter and Instagram).


And hey, we’ve got another question for you: Have you seen any tourists getting swindled in Vegas? What do you think are the biggest tourist scams in town? Leave us a message at 702-514-0719 — we may play it on a future episode.


For more Vegas news, events and commentary (it’ll make you laugh, we promise), sign up for our morning newsletter here.

Recent EpisodesSee all
‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Las Vegas cover art

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Las Vegas

21 minOct 11, 2026

Another Las Vegas school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the surprising ways that some students approach it, and how these kinds of bans can even affect adults like Sean. Listeners, it’s that time again! Send us the dilemmas you’re facing living in a city, and we might debate them on our upcoming call-in show. Email us or submit using this Google Form . Mentioned on the show: Kids using public radio comment sections as ad hoc communication Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!  We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options .

Strip Selfie Crackdown, Clark County vs. Street Vendors, and a New Breakfast Burrito Spot cover art

Strip Selfie Crackdown, Clark County vs. Street Vendors, and a New Breakfast Burrito Spot

31 minOct 9, 2026

A selfie on a Strip bridge could land you in jail for six months — and that's just the start of what host Jesse Merrick and local filmmaker Jason Harris are untangling this week. Together with executive producer Layla Muhammad, they dig into why Clark County has barely 17 licensed street vendors, and close out the week with some genuinely good news, from a Pow Wow at the Palms to a breakfast burrito spot worth knowing about. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 9th episode. The Escape Room Las Vegas Touching Hearts Elect Alex Quagge Neon Museum Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .

The Mayoral Races to Watch, AG Ford Recruits Influencers, and the Best Festivals This Weekend cover art

The Mayoral Races to Watch, AG Ford Recruits Influencers, and the Best Festivals This Weekend

35 minOct 8, 2026

Henderson and North Las Vegas both have mayoral runoffs on the ballot, so we break down the races and explain how the mayors of our metro's smaller cities interact with and influence the broader Las Vegas area. Aaron Ford is leaning into an influencer strategy in the final stretch of the governor's race, launching "Creators for Aaron" to reach voters through left-leaning content creators. We dig into whether it's a smart move or a sign of desperation given the massive spending gap between Ford and Lombardo. We also look ahead to the weekend and highlight some events and happenings around town that caught our eye. Host Jesse Merrick dives into it all with NPR Mountain West News Bureau regional reporter Yvette Fernandez and Nevada Current reporter Michael "MJ" Lyle. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 8th episode. The Escape Room Las Vegas Touching Hearts Elect Alex Quagge Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .

The Most Vegas Lawsuit Ever, Durango Loses Local Restaurants, and Our Vegas Obsessions! cover art

The Most Vegas Lawsuit Ever, Durango Loses Local Restaurants, and Our Vegas Obsessions!

39 minOct 7, 2026

A tourist is suing The Nerd bar in Fremont after getting injured when she was thrown off their giant mechanical p*nis , a wild headline that got us thinking about the state of Fremont and its nightlife scene. With Vesta and Yu-Or-Mi Sushi among the latest local spots at a Station Casinos property to close, we dig into the challenges local restaurants face when trying to make it work inside a casino. Plus, in another round of Vegas Obsessions, we hit on a Halloween pop-up bar in the Arts District, the return of Justin's Latinos Who Lunch podcast, and the sale of Las Vegas' famed underground mansion. Host Jesse Merrick breaks it all down with local artists Vogue Robinson and Justin Favela. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 7th episode. The Escape Room Las Vegas Touching Hearts Elect Alex Quagge Water Lantern Festival Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram , or email us at [email protected] . You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter . Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm . Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise .