The Truth About The Las Vegas Dating Scene In 2024

The Las Vegas dating scene is often the fodder for some tongue-in-cheek jokes around the water cooler. Singles in Sin City say they don't worry about a date not paying the bill as much as they worry about ending up in that date's trunk. And then laugh it off like there's not some truth to it. At the end of the day, there's a serious trust issue about singles in Southern Nevada.

Maybe it's because of how quickly Las Vegas has grown in the last few years. There are a lot of strangers in what was truly once a small town. Or maybe we've watched too many episodes of CSI Las Vegas. Either way, Vegas is not the place where you just throw trust into a stranger without them earning it. Products of the "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" mindset have been burned too many times. Resulting in a population of people that are a little less trusting than maybe we should be.

And when it comes to the Las Vegas dating scene, there's a whole lot of suspicion going around. But rightfully so, on this one. A study just came out that shows Nevada is third on the list of most "romance scams" in the country. More specifically, the Silver State just took home the bronze for the number of people getting Catfished on dating sites.

The study was done by Emisil, a company that makes male anatomy prosthetics (website link might not be suitable for work, depending on your type of business). They took data from Google Keyword Planner, FBI reports, and other official sources to rank states in the country by how many residents have reported getting Catfished.

Per 100,000 residents, Nevada had a reported 141.7 Catfish victims. What's even more alarming is the reported amount of money lost by victims of romance scams. Nevada residents in the dating scene reported a collective loss of $15,095,654 during the time period for the study.

But as much as singles in the Las Vegas dating scene are getting duped by prospective partners, California singles are getting it worse. They came in at number one on the list, with 3,023 reported romance scams and a whopping loss of $183,928,230. Second place went to Florida, with a reported 1,738 romance scams and a collective loss of $70,483,554.

Data analysts at Emisil have very good advice on how to avoid getting Catfished when you're dating online in the Las Vegas dating scene or anywhere. They say to cross-reference the photo on the dating profile with other sites that might show the same name and photo combination. They also suggest having a FaceTime or other type of video call to confirm identity prior to meeting someone in person. And always try to use dating sites that vet their users by asking for various levels of identity verification.

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Some of us are perfectly okay with romance on a budget. But sometimes coming up with inexpensive date ideas can be a challenge. That's why we came up with a list of the perfect inexpensive date ideas.

These days, people often meet on social media, dating apps, and through friends. And more people are opting for less formal first dates. It gets pricey paying for multiple dates at an expensive restaurant. Verywell Mind, a mental health platform listed some of the common reasons people are opting for "cheap" dates. Some of the reasons include inflation taking a toll on people's monthly budgets, having bigger-than-expected housing costs, they're just saving up, and others. But the good news is that dates don't have to go on hold or be a problem for someone due to limited finances.

Collin Rutherford went viral on X, formerly known as Twitter, after sharing his inexpensive date night idea called "bottle night." He and his girlfriend lock their phones, turn off the TV, and each grab a bottle of wine and talk. This style date is something they do just to "enjoy each other's presence." Although many people just considered it "getting drunk and hanging out," the thought behind it seems lighter on the pockets than most dates.

Unlike Rutherford's date idea, there are serval date options that don't involve sitting at home. And of course, that type of date is generally best when you know each other well. But some workarounds that can help a date be more budget-friendly include using coupons or vouchers, finding a place with perks like a bar with a trivia night and prizes on the line, and searching up some free local events.

Inexpensive dates can alleviate your social anxiety on a first date and the financial stress of any date. Take a look at 6 inexpensive date ideas below.

This date is a personal favorite because it's not overly complicated. Coffee dates are casual and very low pressure. It allows you and your date to talk in a relax environment. Bonus points, if you make a local coffee shop. Local coffee shops often have a more intimate setting.

By no means are we talking about an intense hike up and down mountains and hills. But a simple nature trail will do the trick. This kind of date gives you both a chance to enjoy nature and create a memorable experience. You can even plan for a sunrise or sunset walk for added romance. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

There are several local breweries and wineries that offer tours throughout their establishment. These establishments usually have fun tours that break down the process of how their product is made. Sharing the experience with your partner is even better because you’ll get to talk about what you both think of the drinks. Some breweries and tours include tastings and often start at just $15 per person. Sometimes these places offer games and live music.

Picnic dates are a classic. You can get as elaborate as you want to and work it into any budget. You can have a picnic almost anywhere as long as there's a place to drop a picnic blanket or a table for eating. Other than having food on hand, it wouldn't hurt to have a card game handy or a Bluetooth speaker at hand to prevent awkward moments. Just a heads up, this date involves careful planning. If it's peak sunshine and mosquito season, be sure to pack your sunscreen and bug spray.

Volunteer dates can work really well for established couples. They can create new opportunities to meet people and make couple of friends. Obviously, a volunteer date may not be a good idea if you're separated the entire time. So, this one may require a bit of research. Unless you're looking to add a bit of adventure  or something different to your date.

Garage sales, estate sales, antiquing, thrifting, whichever you choose can make for a fun budget-friendly date. It's like a scavenger hunt where you don’t know what the items are you're supposed to find. But whatever you two may find you can always laugh and bond about it. There's even the possibility of a fashion show if you find yourself in a place with a load of vintage clothes. The same concept can also be applied to bookstores and music stores.

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