Several hotel guests in Las Vegas are seeking to appeal a recent court decision in a hotel price-fixing lawsuit, claiming that they were unfairly charged higher rates during their stays. The guests, who are represented by a group of attorneys, argue that they were victims of a conspiracy among several major hotels in Las Vegas to fix prices and limit competition in the local accommodation market.
The lawsuit, originally filed in April of last year, alleges that hotels including MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts conspired to manipulate room rates and reservation policies to ensure that guests paid higher prices. The guests claim that these actions violated antitrust laws and resulted in them overpaying for their rooms during their visits to Las Vegas.
The lawsuit gained national attention earlier this year when a federal judge dismissed the case, ruling that the guests had failed to provide sufficient evidence of a conspiracy among the hotel companies. However, the guests are now seeking to appeal this decision, arguing that the judge’s ruling was based on a technicality and did not fully consider the scope of the alleged price-fixing scheme.
According to the guests’ attorneys, there is significant evidence to support their claims, including internal communications among hotel executives and pricing data that suggests collusion among the defendants. The attorneys also point to similar lawsuits in other cities, where hotel companies have been found guilty of price-fixing and ordered to pay millions of dollars in damages.
In response to the appeal, representatives for the hotel companies have denied any wrongdoing and have vowed to fight the lawsuit in court. They argue that the guests’ claims are baseless and that the hotels’ pricing practices are in line with industry standards.
The outcome of the appeal could have far-reaching implications for the hotel industry in Las Vegas and beyond. If the guests are successful in their appeal, it could open the door for other guests to seek damages for overpriced accommodations. On the other hand, if the appeal is denied, it could set a precedent that makes it more difficult for consumers to challenge alleged price-fixing schemes in the future.
For now, the guests and their attorneys are preparing to present their case before the court of appeals, hopeful that they will finally receive the justice and compensation they believe they deserve. In the meantime, hotel guests in Las Vegas and around the country will be watching closely to see how this high-profile lawsuit unfolds.