Nevada's Legal Brothels Suffering in Bad Economy

shadowcat
Atlanta suburb
Nevada's 18 remaining legal brothels are suffering due to competition from illegal prostitution sparked by the Great Recession, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

The state had almost 40 brothels in the 1980s, and at their height served 400,000 clients a year. Now, according to George Flint of the Nevada Brothel Association, only a handful of brothels are doing well financially, as customers turn to unlicensed independent sex workers who can charge significantly less.

“Instead of paying $400 for a room at a brothel, these guys can now go out and get the same service for a third of the money,” Flint told the NY Daily News.

Prostitution is illegal within the city of Las Vegas, where 30,000 illegal sex workers are believed to operate.

A 2012 poll reported that 66% of Nevada residents believe prostitution should be legal throughout the state, including in Las Vegas.

The Nevada state legislature is considering a bill that would impose an 8% flat tax on all live entertainment at businesses throughout the state. Brothels would be included under the bill.

Nevada is the only American state or territory with legal prostitution. Prostitution outside of licensed brothels is illegal under Nevada law, and the brothels are situated mainly in isolated rural areas in counties with low populations

18 comments

Latest

  • SuperDude
    12 years ago
    All of the sexual barriers are falling, some faster than others.
  • Club_Goer_Seattle
    12 years ago
    I sense that the key sentence in this story is:

    ' “Instead of paying $400 for a room at a brothel, these guys can now go out and get the same service for a third of the money,” Flint told the NY Daily News.'

    That has to be an inference to on line escort services. Photos, menus, prices--all in one easy to read location, with hundreds of choices of providers. And, considering that the remaining brothels are well away from the two major population centers in Nevada, I'm surprised that Nevada still has as many as 18 brothels left.
  • canigetlaid
    12 years ago
    I researched the brothels a little. It just seem a little more shady then independents. Wont release prices, in the middle of nowhere, and hearing prices in the thousands per hour. Plus it seem a little on some high schoolish---you have to pay a middle person. Don't see how they stay in business to be honest with you.
  • Dougster
    12 years ago
    Well they should lower their astronomical prices, duh! Instead they've for the opposite. Around 2005 you could negotiate $400-500 at the MBR, now they refuse to go below $1000. It's hard to feel much sympathy for them.
  • txtittyfan
    12 years ago
    Brothels are for people that can't get laid in a SC.
  • Dougster
    12 years ago
    CG: "And, considering that the remaining brothels are well away from the two major population centers in Nevada"

    The mustang ranch is very close to Reno, and MBR and Love Ranchs are also just about 40 minutes.
  • shadowcat
    12 years ago
    Back in the 70's BBFS at the Mustang Ranch was $50. Adjusted for inflation that should cost you $281.50 today. That should tell you something.
  • Alucard
    12 years ago
    More interested in gambling than Sex it seems. LOL
  • londonguy
    12 years ago
    The report doesn't surprise me. Why travel to Pahrump and back and pay those prices when you can get an escort a lot cheaper, and probably better looking too. Quality strippers cost more but well worth the extra $ in my opinion.
  • topmandd
    12 years ago
    Blame the economy is getting old. Blame everyone being greedy and the mass media of everything. Sorry but the Bunny Ranch did the HBO shows ONLY as a way for marketing. And thanks to all the porn stars that start showing up demanding those $1000 per pricing. SO everyone else says I'll charge the same thing. While maybe i blow that kind of money over time at a SC - at least it's a couple hours of relaxing viewing and hopefully groping.

    And nice how the Nevada government is trying the same as other states to charge taxes on the industry because they've taxed everything else.
  • Club_Goer_Seattle
    12 years ago
    @ Dougster: Thank you for your correction. I wasn't really thinking of Reno, when I made that comment--mainly Las Vegas and the rest of Nevada that is so sparsely populated.
  • jester214
    12 years ago
    I'll be shocked if they ever get inside Clark County and if they can't get in there, they'll never be successful.
  • Joe from NJ
    12 years ago
    The are too many other interests (mostly illegal)in LV to let in competition.
    I wish they would, it would give the whole industry a shot in the arm. At least with a brothel you get to see who you are picking (like in a SC). Where as with a "call girl" you never know what is going o show up at your door.
  • Tiredtraveler
    12 years ago
    There is also pressure from his Royal Highass Harry Reid to close the legal brothels. Not because he is such an upstanding person it's because they have stopped supporting him politically with money and he is desperate to keep his power. He has said that the cops need to keep a close eye on brothels and patrons to make sure they are following all regulations. That is always bad for business. Did you know there is a regulation for the brothels that all patrons must submit to a careful inspection by the girl after washing under good light to check for diseases etc.
    There was a nude club in Cleveland years ago targeted for closure by a church group and they blocked the driveways to get the police and news crews involved then wrote down plate numbers and got address and sent letters to patrons.
    Regulation and publicity are a sure way to shut down any business.
  • georgmicrodong
    12 years ago
    They're in trouble because they charge to fucking much.

    And I doubt you'll see it legalized in Vegas before the mob allows it. They make too much money off te illegal trade to let the government come in and make it all legit.
  • Rabbit21
    12 years ago
    The rates are unbelievable, but it's for a lot of reasons. 1. The brothels take half the girls earnings. 2. On top of this the girls pay their own liscense, medical inspection, room and board, etc. 3. If you take a taxi there they get a cut. All in all there's absurd pressure on the girls to keep earnings up. Then you have the taxes on top of it all. All of which based off of a business model that worked when prostitution was prosecuted more vigorously and before the Internet made finding what you wanted so much easier. It's a dying business model, but their response is going to be to raise prices even more to squeeze the last dying breaths out of it.
  • jester214
    12 years ago
    The reason it won't be legal in Vegas proper is because the Casinos don't want it. One of the reasons they don't have a major sports team.
  • shadowcat
    12 years ago
    I have to agree with jester214.
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