Biden Ups the Pace in Fighting against Excessive Fees as Federal Measures Fail to Pass
President Joe Biden recently tweeted about unwanted fees often added to reservations or ticket purchases during the booking process, often associated with the gaming industry's resort fees commonly found in Las Vegas casinos. These fees can significantly increase the overall cost of a stay or event, causing confusion and financial difficulties for customers.
Biden and federal lawmakers believe that these "junk fees" deceive customers and lead to them spending more than they originally intended. The president has expressed his commitment to combating deceptive online pricing schemes, especially with inflation.
In 2022, Biden announced his support for eliminating these fees in the hospitality and entertainment industries and tasked the Federal Trade Commission with developing new rules to eliminate such unfair and deceptive charges. He also mentioned resort fees during his State of the Union Address earlier this year, promising to prioritize the initiative.
Federal Bill Struggles for Approval
In July, a bipartisan bill introduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) aimed to address such issues by requiring hotels and resorts to include resort fees and any other additional charges beyond taxes in their advertised rates. The Hospitality Fees Transparency Act (S.2498) aims to make it easier for customers to compare prices and understand the total cost of their stay.
Klobuchar and Moran stated, "Too often, Americans making online reservations are met with hidden fees that make it difficult to compare prices and understand the true cost of an overnight stay." However, the bill was sent to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where it has yet to make any progress.
Although both senators are on the committee, Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) also sits on it and represents Las Vegas and the casinos that contribute to Nevada's economy. She supports transparent pricing but also defends Nevada casinos and resorts for disclosing their booking policies.
Nevada Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D) and Rep. Dina Titus (D) share the same viewpoint. They are in favor of transparent pricing but prefer a more targeted approach towards ticket charges rather than casinos and hotels.
Cortez Masto noted, "I'll ensure this administration's proposals remain focused on eliminating surprise fees — not punishing world-class hotels and casinos for already disclosed charges."
Nightly resort fees at luxury Las Vegas casinos can reach up to $45 plus tax.
Criticism and Concerns
Several users of Biden's X account expressed concerns over his focus on such fees, given the country's more pressing issues like inflation, high living costs, and food prices.
"Can't afford groceries. How are they going to afford concert tickets?" asked one X user.
"The concert ticket fee crisis is destroying families right now. Thanks for taking a stand," said another sarcastically.
"I thought this was a parody account," added another user.
Read also:
- Games Industry Research: Carbon Emissions of Top Video Games
- U.S. cities with the most Swifties per capita
- Blackjack Casino Advantage: How to Beat the Odds
- Football 101: What is relegation in football?
Source: www.casino.org
