Las Vegas — Rep. Ron Paul played to the crowd Wednesday afternoon, pledging at a campaign stop here to make it easier for folks to travel to Vegas and to cut federal taxes on tips in a city where the hospitality industry is king.

Rep. Ron Paul gives his wife, Carol, flowers to mark their 55th wedding anniversary Wednesday in Las Vegas. (WSJ Photo by Michael R. Crittenden)

Much to the raucous crowd’s pleasure, the Texas congressman also brought the romance, presenting his wife, Carol, with flowers to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary.

Mr. Paul, who hopes to improve on his second-place finish in the 2008 Nevada caucuses, said he wants to ease visa rules he claims are hurting the U.S. economy. Burdensome U.S. visa and travel restrictions are leading foreign travelers and businesses planning conventions – a key factor for the Las Vegas economy – to go overseas, he said.

“We want people to come to our country. They’re rich, they can come here and spend money,” Mr. Paul said to excited applause.

He also played up his long-time support for legislation to cut federal taxes on tips, an idea likely to be popular among the roughly 20% of Nevada workers the campaign estimates hold jobs where they get tips.