Duke sees Las Vegas as the embodiment of unfettered capitalism, an unrestricted orgy of wealth and self-indulgence.
Although he is critical of capitalist values, he tries to approach the city with an open mind in hopes that it might offer him insight about how to achieve the American Dream.
He comes away disappointed, ultimately realizing that the relationship between money and power in Las Vegas is no different than what exists in the rest of the country.
According to Duke, money attracts the power to protect itself, which inevitably leaves the underclass marginalized and unable to advance in society.