Las Vegas

The Cost of a Dollar

In 1980, a dollar had the same purchasing power as approximately $3.67 today. Unfortunately, the popular steak and eggs breakfast specials, once just $1.99, have not survived the march of time; their equivalent cost today would be around $7.00, yet they are nowhere to be found. In contrast to the past, where casino profits carried the entire resort, today every aspect of a hotel operates as its own revenue stream.

A gambler betting $25 per hand in 1980 was considered a high-value customer deserving of special attention. Today, that same wager barely qualifies as average. In fact, a gambler of that level in 1980 could expect complimentary drinks, food, and even a discounted—or entirely free—room. High rollers received extravagant perks, including lavish suites, personal hosts, and even private jet transportation. The casino business was built on relationships, and management treated loyal gamblers like royalty, knowing they would return time and again.

Fashion trends of 1980 were bold and flamboyant, with leg warmers, fishnet stockings, neon colors, shoulder pads, and acid-washed jeans all making waves. Power suits became a staple for both men and women. Hairstyles followed suit—men sported mullets or permed curls (the author included), while women embraced big, voluminous hair, often accessorized with headbands.

The influence of Hollywood and the music industry played a significant role in shaping these trends. Saturday Night Fever had left its mark on men’s fashion with wide lapels and flared pants, while Madonna’s emerging style would soon introduce lace gloves, layered accessories, and an edgier, rebellious look for women. People dressed to impress when hitting the casinos or clubs—flashy was in, and subtlety was out.

Musically, the disco craze that had defined the seventies was rapidly fading. The year's biggest hits included:

• Call Me from American Gigolo
• You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
• Woman in Love, a collaboration between Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb (who was reinventing himself after being unfairly labeled the face of disco)
• Do That to Me One More Time, which earned Captain & Tennille their own television show

At the movies, The Deer Hunter, a harrowing Vietnam War drama, won Best Picture, while the Showgirl favorite, All That Jazz, secured four Academy Awards.

On television, Dallas topped the ratings, followed by The Dukes of Hazzard, 60 Minutes, and MASH*. Meanwhile, CNN launched as the first-ever 24-hour news network.

1980 also introduced pop culture staples such as the Rubik’s Cube, the arcade game PAC-MAN, and the compact disc (CD), a format that would revolutionize music consumption. Arcades flourished as gaming technology advanced, with pinball machines still holding strong alongside new electronic innovations that would soon pave the way for home consoles like the Atari 2600 and, eventually, the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Las Vegas entertainment thrived as well. Lounge acts were still a draw, with crooners and comedians filling intimate rooms, while the main showrooms continued to showcase glitzy revues and big-name stars. Magicians, showgirls, and live orchestras created a spectacle that embodied the city’s timeless allure.

Technology was primitive by today’s standards. The first version of Microsoft DOS was still a year away, personal communication relied on landline telephones, and staying in touch while on the go meant using phone booths or paging devices.

Despite these limitations, business and entertainment industries were evolving. Casinos started incorporating electronic surveillance to monitor activity on the gaming floor. While technology would later transform the industry with computerized slot machines and player tracking systems, in 1980, dealers still shuffled by hand, and payouts were calculated without the aid of algorithms.

In sports, the defining moment of the year came when the underdog U.S. Men’s Hockey Team won Olympic gold in Lake Placid, a triumph later immortalized in the film Miracle on Ice. Their victory over the Soviet Union was not just an athletic achievement but a symbolic moment in the Cold War, boosting American morale.

Beyond hockey, the world of boxing saw continued dominance from Sugar Ray Leonard, while the NFL and MLB remained staples of American sports culture. Horse racing and boxing were still prominent in Las Vegas sportsbooks, with heavyweight bouts drawing crowds to the Strip.

On the world stage, U.S.-Iran relations reached a breaking point when diplomatic ties were severed following the hostage crisis that began in 1979. Later that year, Iraq and Iran plunged into a brutal war. The political climate of the era was tense, and global uncertainty had an impact on tourism and business alike.