Casino Scents: Fragrances to Entice Your Play


You would have to look long and hard to find a more divisive topic than casino scents. One person’s “fragrance” is another person’s “stench.”

They say that smell is the sense that most affects our memories. We have all had the experience where the mere whiff of something transports us to another time or place. The tantalizing scent of cookies baking can take us back in time to our grandma’s kitchens. An ocean breeze can remind us of that Caribbean cruise we took. I used to love the smell of my dog’s fur (when he was dry, not wet) because my brain connected it with furry affection.

At some point in time casinos started smelling a lot less like smoke and a lot more like coconut. The first scent system was installed in the Mirage by a company named AromaSys in 1992.

A selection of clients from AromaSys, spot any familiar names?
A selection of clients from AromaSys, spot any familiar names?

Studies indicate that pleasant smells cause us to linger longer at the casino, thereby spending more money. Now it seems that all of the mega resorts hire companies to design fragrances for them.

The Flamingo used to have a coconut scent, now it's vanilla
The Flamingo used to have a coconut scent; now it’s vanilla

Maybe some day they will turn those casino scents into perfumes, and we can douse ourselves with Eau de Wynn. They already produce room fresheners that can make your living room at home smell just like your favorite casino if that is your desire.

I have always loved the tropical scent of Mirage. I find the Venetian so “perfumey” that it almost makes me nauseous.

The Venetian scent "Seduction" was replaced by this new fragrance in 2013
The Venetian scent “Seduction” was replaced by this new fragrance in 2013

In years past, I used to find the scent of the Plaza too strong while other people described it as “fresh and appealing.” It is such a subjective thing. Sometimes I am relieved to end up in the corner of a casino that smells like nothing at all.

The absence of smell can be refreshing too.

[Images: TexTJ, Michael Movestro, Photobucket]

14 thoughts on “Casino Scents: Fragrances to Entice Your Play

  1. the fragrance that they pump in at the El Cortez is awful. if they think it covers up the smoke, they are wrong. my sinus and allergy issues flare up almost instantly when I walk into that joint.

    1. I think the same I am instantly gasping ,,,,but guess what there is a worse place the Plaza ,,,,,it is like eating baby powder ,,,you can actually taste it,,,an hour later it was still in my mouth

  2. I like the Mandalay Bay smell. It has a suntan lotion-type smell. It reminds me of our Hawaiian vacations.

  3. I always feel like I have come home when I step into the Flamingo even though I never stay there anymore

  4. My wife can’t even step foot into The Cromwell!
    On the other hand (don’t know if it was the scent) we absolutely fell in love with and got married at the Flamingo!

  5. The smell at the MGM Grand is my favorite. My husband and I always get excited as soon as we walk in the doors and breathe it in.

  6. love the Mirage scent. And the vanilla scent at Aria is nice. I despite the scent outside Dela’s Kitchen in Delano. It is WAY too strong, and I can feel it in my eyes. It’s too bad, as Dela’s is the best breakfast place in Mandalay Bay

  7. Vegas in general has a scent to me. when I step outside of the baggage claim area of the airport, it smells like Vegas! in a good way that is. it is familiar and I know it means it is time to have fun. luv it.

  8. Great story!! My husband and I always discuss this and I can agree it does make you want to stay in the casino longer. The scents remind me of vacation and I’m eager to get to the hotel. Trop was very first hotel 6 years ago and it holds a special place in my heart. Mirage is also a fav.

  9. I absolutely love the Aria scent, perhaps I’m biased because it was my first stay in Vegas, but I always enjoy coming back there and smell the air. Almost got a few of the scent sticks last time, if my bag wasn’t already full at that time ;)

  10. Mandalay Bay and MGM always had the most distinct ,memorable scents to me.
    It seems more powerful when you walk in the door in both hotels.

  11. I’m with Marisa. The Flamingo’s scent makes me feel like I’ve “arrived” in Vegas. It probably also helps that I’ve had some fond memories there, even as I too don’t stay anymore.

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