The “fun book” issued each year by the Las Vegas Advisor has always been the industry standard. During the pre-mega-resort years, the Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book was Bargains were harder to come by as the billion-dollar casino resorts sprung up on the Strip in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But because of the deep recession slamming the town, Las Vegas is a bargain again.

After a decade of building bigger and more upscale resorts that commanded higher and higher prices, Las Vegas is now actively downplaying its luxury branding in favor of affordability. Hit hard by the economy—visitor volume in 2008 suffered its biggest year-to-year drop in history—bargain is once again the name of the game in Las Vegas, and deals on everything from rooms to shows to gourmet restaurants (and even gambling) are everywhere.

The 2009 version of the Las Vegas Advisor Member Rewards Book contains more than 150 coupons representing as much as $2,500 in total savings, with some of the city’s top restaurants and entertainment options participating.

The MRB is available for $37 from LasVegasAdvisor.com. In addition to the book, the website has introduced Member Rewards Online, an expanding program of printable web coupons.

“In 30 years of following the Las Vegas casino industry, I’ve never seen a more deal-minded mentality from the casinos,” says Anthony Curtis, a former professional blackjack player who founded LasVegasAdvisor.com. “They’re promoting like crazy—I can’t think of a better time to visit Las Vegas than right now.”

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.