Las Vegas Visitor Sparks Outrage Over $50 Pizza at MGM Grand Casino
A regular visitor to Las Vegas has triggered widespread backlash after exposing the staggering cost of a pizza inside the luxurious MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, with prices reaching nearly $50 for a single pie. The TikTok user @shi***boyicey went viral on both TikTok and X, captioning his post, 'Vegas is a sick place,' while geotagging the MGM Grand location.
Exorbitant Prices at Bonanno's New York Pizzeria
In the viral video, the content creator displays a menu from Bonanno's New York Pizzeria, which features just four options: cheese, pepperoni, sausage, and a house gourmet pie. All are priced far above typical expectations, ranging from $47.95 to as high as $53.95 inside the MGM Grand's food court. This marks a significant markup compared to the same pizzas at the chain's off-Strip locations, where they typically cost between $21.95 and $29.95.
Bonanno's New York Pizzeria is a popular Las Vegas chain with multiple locations at other casino resorts, including the Flamingo Las Vegas and Luxor Hotel and Casino. However, the pricing disparity has left viewers stunned and questioning the fairness of such steep increases in tourist-heavy areas.
Tourist Traps and Fluctuating Costs
In a follow-up video posted on Wednesday night, the TikToker, who visits Las Vegas every few months for UFC boxing matches, elaborated on the issue. He stated, 'I always document that place on my Instagram story because every time I go to Vegas the price is different.' He accused casinos of manipulating prices, saying, 'They literally fluctuate the price to whatever they want because they know that tourists are gonna have no option.'
He further explained that many tourists are confined to the Strip, lacking rental cars and thus forced to accept inflated prices. Additionally, he claimed that loyalty points and rewards from national chains, such as Chipotle, are often not honored inside casino locations, compelling customers to pay full price without discounts.
Public Backlash and Broader Concerns
Angry commentators flooded the video's comments, with one user noting, 'I seen that and walked out 2 years ago, Fremont getting greedy too... I'll go to a Mom and Pop casino and restaurant.' Others humorously pointed out that well-known pizza chains like Sbarro and Little Caesars could offer up to five pies for the same price, highlighting the absurdity of the markup.
This incident raises broader concerns about Las Vegas tourism, as high prices could deter visitors. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) confirmed that the city drew just 38.5 million visitors in 2025, a devastating 7.5 percent decline from the previous year. This marks the sharpest annual drop since the post-pandemic recovery, erasing years of hard-won momentum and fueling rumors of a potential tourism collapse.
Historical Context of Pricing Controversies
This is not the first time a Vegas casino has faced criticism over exorbitant pricing. In a similar case, a concertgoer on the Strip was blindsided by a hidden 'admin fee' that inflated his bar tab to $180 for just two margaritas and two bottles of water. A receipt showed two margaritas at $50 each and bottles of water at $8.75 apiece, with an automatic gratuity of $27.58, but a surprise $26 administrative fee plus tax catapulted the total to nearly $181.
The concertgoer, speaking through social media creator Vegasstarfish, described this as part of the 'Vegas is expensive' problem that is 'hurting the city.' Jen G, the woman behind the account, blasted these tactics, stating, 'This is exactly what turns people away from visiting our city,' and emphasized that exposing such practices helps future visitors make informed decisions.
MGM Grand did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment on the pizza pricing issue. As Las Vegas grapples with declining visitor numbers, incidents like these underscore the growing tension between tourist-driven pricing strategies and the need to maintain a welcoming and affordable destination.
