Porn Pros Weigh In on Possible Exodus to Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — Porn pros weighed in on the possibility of the industry making a major move to Las Vegas in light of the Measure B crackdown in an article in the Las Vegas Sun.

Girlfriends Films' Dan O’Connel, performer Joanna Angel, LA Direct’s Derkek Hay and Evil Angel director Kevin Moore all talked the pros and cons of an industry-wide migration to Sin City.

Some things that would tempt porn to Vegas are lower productions costs, cost of living (no state taxes), and the proximity to the L.A. hub.

Regarding locations, O’Connel said the lower cost per hour to rent a house in Vegas is appealing and could benefit struggling locals. “If somebody’s losing a house, they can probably rent it out for two days a month (to us) and keep that house,” he said. “We don’t rent just any house; it has to be nicely furnished, good-sized rooms, no clutter and so on. Just very plain, average houses. So in this market, that would be huge.”

The article also pointed out that both producers and talent could benefit from no corporate income tax, no unitary tax and room tax abatement after 30 days (a plus for commuting talent).

Angel agreed. She said, “From strictly a production standpoint, it probably makes even more sense to be in Vegas than L.A. because everything is so expensive in L.A. and things are getting kind of difficult — living, renting out a studio, getting a film permit, production insurance, getting anything.”

But don’t expect Vegas to be the mecca of porn just yet.

Some downsides include the lack of Hollywood mainstream crews who often service adult who are not about to move from L.A.’s studio central. Angel noted, “People forget that there’s a lot more to porn than just people having sex and somebody shooting it.”

And although Measure B has become an annoyance, it is still legal to shoot porn in L.A. Producing real sex for film everywhere else — including Vegas — is a crapshoot.

“We could move to Vegas, but there is a chance that they could come after you in the same way back in the ’80s they went after a lot of producers, which is trying to charge them with pandering or prostitution,” Moore told the Journal. “Whether or not that would happen, I don’t know. Obviously porn is shot in other states and it’s never been an issue. But it’s different when you’re doing this and you’re trying to do it in a legitimate sense. That hanging over you is never a good thing.”

And then there’s the lifeblood of the business — talent — and the inherent challenges they present.

LA Direct’s Hay noted that talent follows the opportunities and he doesn’t see the majority of performers and support crews abandoning L.A. even if Measure B were enforced.

“There will always be a large number of studios here. People forget that there’s so much work that either does not involve sex at all or is not centered around (intercourse) between males and females,” he said. “And as long as that’s the case, there will always be a porn industry in L.A.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Scarlett Venom Performs 1st B/B/G for Reality Kings

Scarlett Venom performs her first B/B/G with James Angel and Ace Bigs in the latest Reality Kings scene, “Sharpening Her Skills.”

Evil Angel Launches 'Iconic Angels,' Names Annette Schwarz Inaugural Performer

Evil Angel has launched its new Iconic Angels spotlight retrospective and named Annette Schwarz its inaugural performer.

Charlie Valentine Channels Vintage Seduction

There’s a certain softness to Charlie Valentine’s voice — like velvet over steel. She’s warm and easy to talk to, but there’s no mistaking the strength in her words. A Vegas native with glossy black hair and classic Bettie Page bangs, she gives off a timeless kind of cool: the kind of woman who rescues senior pets, meditates before every shoot and genuinely wants to know the story behind your antique furniture.

Brazzers Debuts New Series 'MILF Quest'

Cherie DeVille stars in the first episode of new Brazzers limited series, “MILF Quest.”

Anna Claire Clouds Stars in Latest From Ricky's Room

Reigning XMAs Female Performer of the Year Anna Claire Clouds stars in the latest release from Ricky's Room, titled "Cloudy With A Chance Of DP."

Samantha Sinz Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Creator Samantha Sinz stars with her husband Gus and Isiah Maxwell in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Anna Claire Clouds Headlines 'The Sex Therapist 7' From Sweet Sinner

2025 XMAs Female Performer of the Year Anna Claire Clouds toplines “The Sex Therapist 7,” the latest release from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.

Ashby Winter Performs Her 1st DP in Finale of VMG Cross-Site 'In Vogue' Sequel

Ashby Winter performs her first DP alongside Dimitri Shadow and Troy Francisco in the final scene from Vixen Media Group (VMG) cross-site feature "In Vogue 2."

Addison Vodka on Playing Nice - and Playing Rough

‘It’s such a funny story,” says Addison Vodka, tossing her long, beachy blonde waves over her shoulder. “I discovered that my boyfriend at the time was using camming websites behind my back. So I was like, ‘Well, if you’re going to go on there, then I’m just going to go on there.’”

Rana Katana Stars in Latest From TransAngels

Rana Katana stars with Raj and Ram Sivan in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “Submissive Hookah Slut.”

Show More