Las Vegas Casinos Don't Pump Extra Oxygen: Debunking the Popular Myth
The myth that Las Vegas casinos pump extra oxygen onto their gaming floors to keep players awake and gambling longer is false. Here's why:
First, it would be extremely expensive. A typical Las Vegas casino contains 1 million cubic liters of air, and increasing the oxygen level by just 1% would require over 40,000 cubic meters of oxygen gas daily.
More critically, elevated oxygen levels create significant fire hazards, as oxygen-enriched air makes flames burn hotter and faster at lower temperatures. This would violate casino fire insurance policies and pose substantial safety risks.
Blue oxygen tanks in vertical line
The myth originated in Mario Puzo's 1978 novel "Fools Die," where a fictional casino owner orders pure oxygen pumped through the air conditioning system at 2 a.m. to prevent gamblers from getting tired. This fictional detail has been incorrectly circulated as fact for over 45 years, even appearing in some legitimate media coverage.
While casinos do use various methods to keep players engaged - such as specific music, pleasant scents, and cold air conditioning - pumping in extra oxygen isn't one of them. According to Tony Cabot, distinguished fellow in gaming law at UNLV, this enduring tale is simply one of many Las Vegas myths that people continue to spread despite having no basis in fact.