Surge pricing: Why Las Vegas casinos change the prices of water, sunscreen, beer and more

Saturday, August 30, 2025 12:13 PM
Image aggregated from Las Vegas Review Journal.
  • David Danzis, Las Vegas Review Journal

On the first day of her first-ever trip to Las Vegas, Julie Brenner said the cost of a bottle of water caught her attention. The 29-year-old from Miami said she remembered the price because even in her hometown, paying more than $5 for water would seem high.

That is why it stood out to her when the very next day, the same bottle from the same store was a different price.

“It was actually cheaper (the second day),” she said, noting the cost was about $0.15 less in the morning compared to when she arrived at Paris casino-hotel the prior evening.

“It wasn’t a big deal or anything. But there’s no prices (posted for drinks), so I guess they just charge whatever.”