How Surveillance Footage in Casinos Can Help (or Hurt) Your Injury Case

Unless you’re a resident (and even then, sometimes), chances are good that casino gaming is what you love about Vegas. In most cases, there’s nothing to worry about if you spend a night at the slots or hitting the tables.

However, there are always risks. Slippery floors, unstable gaming tables and slot machines, and other threats exist and can quickly turn your fun night out into a nightmare.

If you’re injured in a Las Vegas casino, one of the most important pieces of evidence in your personal injury case might be the security feed.

Casinos are heavily monitored. High-definition cameras are everywhere: at entrances and exits, in gaming areas, near restaurants and retail spaces, even in back hallways and elevators. That can actually work in your favor if you move quickly and know how to use that footage to support your claim.

In this article, we’ll break down:

• How surveillance footage can help (or hurt) your injury case
• What types of footage might be available
• How to request and preserve casino video evidence
• Nevada privacy laws and legal considerations
• Why working with a personal injury lawyer matters

Video evidence cuts both ways

Surveillance footage can be a powerful tool in any personal injury claim, especially in busy places like Las Vegas casinos. A single video clip can do the work of multiple witness statements, show what really happened, and cut through the usual hearsay-type arguments.

However, that same footage can also undermine your case if it contradicts your version of events or shows behavior that casts doubt on the severity of your injury.

When footage helps your claim

Surveillance video can strengthen your case by:

• Showing exactly how your injury occurred
• Proving the casino had notice of a dangerous condition
• Capturing the negligence of casino staff or security
• Supporting the timeline of events
• Showing your conduct before the incident as calm, sober, and appropriate

In many cases, this kind of footage is the best possible evidence you can have, objective, timestamped, and hard to dispute.

When footage hurts your claim

On the flip side, casino surveillance can damage your claim if it shows:

• You engaging in risky or reckless behavior right before the incident
• An inaccurate version of how the injury occurred compared to what you told staff or EMTs
• You appearing uninjured or unaffected in the moments after the incident
• Gaps or inconsistencies in your pain or mobility levels post-incident

Even things like declining a wheelchair or walking out of the casino without assistance can be used by insurance companies to argue your injuries weren’t serious.

What footage may be available in a casino injury case?

Casinos in Nevada operate some of the most comprehensive surveillance systems around, sometimes referred to as the “eye in the sky.” This includes:

• Wide-angle ceiling cameras in gaming areas
• Hallway and lobby cameras
• Elevator and escalator surveillance
• Entrances and exits
• Security body cams (worn by guards)
• Point-of-sale cameras in retail or restaurant areas

However, hotel rooms and private restrooms are off-limits to video monitoring under Nevada law due to privacy concerns.

Depending on where and how the injury occurred, several different cameras might have captured it, or none at all. That’s why it’s important to know what angles to request and where to look.

How to obtain casino surveillance footage

You don’t have an automatic right to casino surveillance footage, even if it captured your injury. Casinos are private businesses, and they’re not required to hand over security videos unless they’re compelled by law or court order.

That’s why acting fast and working with a personal injury lawyer is so important.

Steps to take:

Report the incident immediately

Notify casino staff or security right away. Ask to fill out an incident report and make sure they document what happened. This creates a paper trail and puts the casino on notice that an injury occurred.

Ask that the footage be preserved

Politely ask that any surveillance video of the area be preserved. Mention the specific time and location. Footage is often deleted or overwritten within days or weeks unless someone flags it for retention.

Hire a personal injury lawyer quickly

Your attorney can send a preservation of evidence letter, also called a spoliation letter. This is a formal legal request telling the casino to retain all relevant footage. If they ignore it and delete the video, it can be used against them in court.

Request footage through legal channels

If the case proceeds, your lawyer may subpoena the footage during discovery. Without a lawyer, it’s extremely difficult to get access.

Nevada privacy laws and surveillance in casinos

Nevada has relatively surveillance-friendly laws, especially in public-facing private businesses like casinos. As long as there’s no reasonable expectation of privacy (like in public lobbies, gaming floors, or hallways), video surveillance is allowed.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• You cannot record others without consent in private settings, such as hotel rooms or restrooms.
• Audio recording laws in Nevada are stricter than video. Nevada is a one-party consent state for audio, meaning at least one person in a conversation must agree to the recording.
• Casinos own their footage and are not obligated to share it unless there’s legal intervention.
• If surveillance is mishandled or deleted after a request to preserve, that may constitute spoliation of evidence.

The role of casino security in injury cases

Casino security teams are often the first on the scene after an injury. They’ll complete an incident report, check footage, and may even escort you to medical help.

But remember: Casino security works for the casino, not you.

Their goal is to protect the business, not to support your claim. That means:

• Reports may be written in a way that favors the casino.
• Video may be selectively reviewed or only partially preserved.
• They may downplay your injuries or question your behavior.

Be respectful but cautious in your interactions. Stick to the facts, ask for a copy of the report, and don’t make assumptions about what’s on camera or what they’ll share.

Why you need a personal injury lawyer

Navigating a casino injury claim in Las Vegas isn’t like a standard slip and fall at your local grocery store. The casino industry is complex, highly regulated, and quick to defend itself.

A qualified personal injury lawyer can:

• Move fast to preserve video before it’s gone
• Request footage through legal channels
• Work with experts to analyze footage
• Counter insurance company claims based on out-of-context video
• Build a strong case using all available evidence

Without legal support, you may never even see the footage that could prove your case.

Moving forward after a casino injury

Surveillance footage can make a big difference in a Las Vegas casino injury case, but only if you act quickly, preserve the right evidence, and know how to use it. While the “eye in the sky” can help support your claim, it can also work against you if the footage doesn’t align with your story.

If you’ve been hurt in a casino, don’t wait. Reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The right attorney can help you secure critical video evidence, deal with casino security teams, and protect your rights every step of the way.

Injured at a Las Vegas casino? We’re here to help.

At Claggett & Sykes, we know how to handle the complexities of casino injury cases. Our team has the experience, resources, and courtroom grit to stand up to big casino corporations and their insurers. Contact us today for a free consultation.