The owner of the Moonlite Bunny Ranch had just two brothels a few years ago. Today, he owns seven and a strip club. The expansion of his empire comes as Nevada's brothel industry struggles to recover from the recession. And though Hof said his business is increasing, most of his competitors are having a tough time. Other brothels have all suffered a serious, serious hit. I've taken the income I made from [my holdings] and bought five more.
The decline in business at these establishments isn't the result of some newfound virtue on the part of former customers, nor does it have anything to do with Sen. Harry Reid's attempt to shut them down two years ago. Read more: Earn more money, when you have more sex, study says seriously!
A lot of gentlemen who, for years, have gone to a brothel don't have the funding that they did five or 10 years ago. Not surprisingly, Nevada's brothels aren't cheap. Exact prices vary, as providers are considered independent contractors and set their own rates. Some earn considerably more. The drop-off in the overall brothel business—estimated to be between 20 percent and 50 percent from its highs—is driving more escorts online.
Because they have rent or mortgage payments, as well as other overhead, brick-and-mortar services can't dramatically lower their costs. But by arranging a rendezvous directly with a client, the escort can offer a lower rate per encounter and make more money. And, thanks to the Web, arranging a meeting with a sex worker the preferred title of some brothel employees has gotten considerably easier. Many escorts now have dedicated websites, and there are innumerable other ways to find them online.
The risk for clients rise, too, as prostitutes working illegally can bypass the mandatory checks for sexually transmitted diseases and infections that brothel employees must have monthly, and sometimes more frequently.
