Scott Roeben: “I see myself as a humorist with Las Vegas as the subject matter”

What all casino enthusiasts have in common is our passion for everything gambling-related, and few people in this industry express it better than our guest today, Scott Roeben. Scott is a professional blogger who writes about the hottest Las Vegas-related news in his blog, Vital Vegas. With over 21 years of experience in the casino industry, 17 of which were in the position of a professional writer and editor for various reputable companies, Scott brings a unique perspective to the life of one of the world’s gambling capitals through his work. He agreed to answer a few of our questions about his career, Las Vegas, and gave advice to aspiring casino bloggers, so buckle up as we’ll get right into it!

Interview

• How did your passion for Vegas begin, and how did it grow into a professional activity?

  My first visit to Las Vegas was more than 20 years ago, and I stayed at the Stardust. I fell in love with Vegas immediately and visited often. When I was ready to bolt from L.A., as so many do, Vegas was the destination.

• When did you get into casino-related blogging? How long have you been doing it?

  When I worked for Caesars Entertainment, I started as a marketing copywriter, but saw the opportunities provided by content marketing and started the company’s Pulse of Vegas blog. They weren’t too comfortable with my voice/tone, as big companies tend to get nervous about humor, so we parted ways, and I started Vital Vegas as a hobby. I did it about seven years before partnering with Casino.org.

• What are some of the highlights of your blogging career that you wouldn't mind sharing?

  I’m proud of what I did with the Pulse of Vegas. It was named the best corporate blog in the country. I was very flattered to be approached by Casino.org. It meant I had built something of value. I like to think I’ve changed things forever when it comes to covering Las Vegas. I have broken the majority of big stories in this town for more than a decade now, and my network of sources continues to grow.

• How did the idea of Vital Vegas come about, and was it challenging to negotiate doing it on Casino.org?

  Vital Vegas came out of my enjoyment of having a platform to share my passions, writing and photography. I see myself as a humorist with Las Vegas as the subject matter. It was challenging negotiating with Casino.org, mostly because I am a terrible business person and had no idea what Vital Vegas was worth. The company is amazing. My initial contract was for four years, but I’ve continued on as an independent contractor because they are generous with compensation, along with the fact that they leave me alone to do what I do best. I couldn’t have a real job or real boss ever again.

• What are some of the articles in your blog that you are personally most proud of and why?

  The scoop is what I’m proudest of, mostly because I get stories before entire news organizations, and I’m just one person. I have a soft spot for April Fools’ stories, so those are some of my favorites. I once did a satirical piece about a casino company banning 0-69 calls in its bingo rooms because it was offending older guests. The casino company wasn’t happy (because some people thought it might be true), which made it even more enjoyable.

• What are some of your podcast episodes on Vital Vegas that no one should miss? Who were the guests and what was discussed?

  I’ve had so many great guests on the show. I think I connect with people on a different level than others might. I had a chat with Scott “Carrot Top” Thompson that was very off-brand for him. I’ve also had some folks who I consider friends, like Derek Stevens (owner of Circa) and Ross Mollison (producer of “Absinthe”), so those interviews take on a different tone than most of their media appearances. I feel like my interview subjects trust me, so they can relax and just enjoy talking about the things they love.

• What does Vital Vegas's future hold? Could you share some insights on upcoming innovations, updates, or releases?

  I think the advent of A.I. has changed a lot of what I do and is probably the primary reason I continue to blog. I don’t really need the money, thanks to the Casino.org deal, but I do need a creative outlet, and Vital Vegas is it for the moment. I have been a writer and visual humorist for my entire adult life, and A.I. has opened up so many possibilities to keep things fresh and engaging. I use A.I. for visuals now, even when they aren’t the perfect fit for what I’m doing, just because it’s fun and is a market differentiator for me.

• What are Scott Roeben’s top three favorite activities in Las Vegas at the moment, and why?

  Vegas is an endless supply of fun things to do. 1) Gambling at Ellis Island. It’s smaller and grittier than a lot of casinos, but I love the vibe and the people. There are lots of characters, which is part of the fun. 2) Volunteering at the animal shelter. I know that’s a little off-brand for me, but our animal population problem is terrible, so I try to support a local shelter, the Animal Foundation, as much as possible. 3) My third favorite activity is Omega Mart. It’s an incredible attraction at Area 15 that doesn’t get enough love. It’s part twisted grocery store and part art museum; it’s just so creative and never fails to surprise and delight.

• Could you list a few Las Vegas destinations that even city regulars are probably unaware of?

  I’m always surprised to hear even frequent Vegas visitors don’t visit downtown Las Vegas. It’s one of my go-to places, for any number of reasons, including the fact that it’s a complete circus (free entertainment) and the prices are much lower than The Strip. Downtown has the best pizza in Las Vegas, and some of the best values for rooms and restaurants as well. Everyone should experience the sportsbook at Circa (I don’t even like sports), the SlotZilla zipline (I have a fear of heights), the Fremont East district, El Cortez and Golden Gate (two of the oldest casinos in town), Pizza Rock, the million in cash at Binion’s, the Blarney Stone at The D, the Scorpion Shot at Nacho Daddy, the Viva Vision digital screen at Fremont Street Experience, the list goes on and on.

• If you had to choose the hottest show in Las Vegas right now, what would it be?

  On The Strip, “Absinthe.” It’s been the hottest, must-see show on The Strip for years and deservedly so. Resident headliners have sort of overwhelmed production shows, but Cirque du Soleil remains great. Not “hot,” but reliably entertaining.

• When it comes to cuisine and accommodation, which Las Vegas hotel is better in terms of price-to-quality ratio?

  It’s a great question, because while some places aren’t “cheap,” they can still be considered a value. There’s been a lot of griping about prices, but people still love Las Vegas because they have experiences they can’t have anywhere else. I like a place like Flamingo on The Strip. It has a fancy new pool, a new Gordon Ramsay restaurant, a new Lisa Vanderpump lounge and other great offerings, and the room rates are reasonable, especially if you factor in the central location on The Strip. The best values are still downtown or slightly off-Strip, places like The Strat, Silver Sevens, Virgin, Palms, Rio.

• As a roulette-focused website, we couldn't miss an opportunity to ask you what Scott Roeben's favorite Las Vegas casino is in which to play roulette and why.

  I love roulette! The cost of live roulette has been creeping up in Las Vegas, with many casinos not even letting you use $1 chips. Not a fan, and also not a fan of triple zero (I’ve been predicting quadruple zero for several years). For me, roulette is all about the staff and ambiance. Local places can be sort of glum, even when people are winning, so tourist casinos are the best. People get excited about winning $35. I like roulette at the Plaza because they have a single-zero game on the main floor, rare in Las Vegas. I like roulette at Circa because the dealers are gorgeous. I like roulette at Ellis Island because the minimums are low. If it sounds like I have a few places I go to all the time, that’s because it’s true. I am a creature of habit, and I’m superstitious when I play. Roulette is very impulsive for me, so I’ll play at any table, at any time, if I’m having that lucky feeling.

• Is it possible to enjoy Las Vegas on a tight budget, and if so, what would your recommendations look like?

  I think there are lots of bargains to be found, despite the popular narrative that Las Vegas has priced some people out. Research is key. Blogs and other resources can be invaluable when you’re looking for deals. Beyond prices, it’s more about strategies that can save money. What to avoid, how to make the most out of perks (like loyalty clubs) and what to watch for (like nuisance fees).

• What do you think are the best alternatives to Vegas?

  Everyone’s different, so their forms of entertainment are different. One of the challenges facing Las Vegas is that it no longer has a monopoly on gambling. Pretty much all the things Vegas offers can be found elsewhere, but virtually nowhere has them all at once, all in one destination. Disneyland doesn’t have strip clubs. Ibiza doesn’t have Mac King. Only we’ve got the Vegas Golden Knights. You can cobble together experiences in other places, but there’s only one Las Vegas, and that’s the story we’re sticking to.

• What are some possible challenges aspiring casino bloggers will undoubtedly face, and what would your recommendations be for overcoming them?

  That’s a great question, and it might be extended to include social media and influencers as well. The main quality one has to have for any of these endeavors is passion. I’m lucky because my passion has led to financial rewards that are rare in this field. I often see people chasing money, but very few actually achieve that kind of success. The challenges include not just the financial disappointment, but expressing opinions in a public forum comes with a lot of craziness. I have haters, trolls and stalkers. For a travel blog. Women have it much worse because they are often critiqued on their physical appearance. On the bright side, blogging and social media have been democratized. Anyone can take their best shot, and if they have a unique voice and provide value, they can find an audience. The bigger and more engaged the audience, the bigger the influence and notoriety. One can effect change, and in my case, help people discover experiences they’ll never forget. Thanks for asking all these great questions. I hate talking about myself. Just kidding. I told you I’m a humorist.