Las Vegas visitation fell off a cliff in June with a 11.3% decline, but that didn’t stop the Strip from recording just less than 1% gain in gaming revenue during the month after year-over-year declines in the previous four months.
Nevada saw a 3.1% gain in gaming revenue over June 2024 led by downtown Las Vegas and casinos that serve local residents.
The Strip, which has been under pressure from visitation that’s down 7.3% for the year and shows no signs of improving over the summer, had $765.2 million in gaming revenue, a 0.9% increase from $758.5 million in June 2024, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
That gain took place despite the steep drop in visitation. Las Vegas recorded 3.09 million visitors in June, down about 400,000 people from June 2024. Visitation is down about 1.5 million people this year.
“Reflecting the broader backdrop of persistent economic uncertainty and weaker consumer confidence, compounded by a slower convention month, the destination saw a 11% year-over-year decline in visitation, hosting approximately 3.1 million visitors,” the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said in a note when releasing the stats.
Convention attendance was 375,000 for the month, down 10.7%, reflecting in part out‐rotations of shows that were held elsewhere this year, including InfoComm (30,000 attendees) and Cisco Live (18,000 attendees), the LVCVA said.
Hotel occupancy of 78.7% was down 6.5 points from 85.2% and average daily room rates of $164 fell 6.6% year-over-year. That translated to monthly revenue per room below $129, a decline of 13.8% year-over-year.
Weekend occupancy was 87.6% compared to 91.3% a year ago. Weekday occupancy was 75.5%, down from 82.6%.
Strip occupancy was 81.9%, down from 88.3% a year ago. Downtown occupancy was 62.5%, down from 69.5% a year ago.
The Strip’s average daily room rate was $174.31, down 6.7% from $186.91 a year ago. Revenue per room on the Strip was $142.76, down 13.5% from $165.04 a year ago.
Passenger traffic at Harry Reid International Airport fell 6.3% in June with domestic traffic down 4.4% and international visitation down 1.4%, led by declines from Canada.
Average daily vehicle traffic on the I-15 from California fell 4.3% in June.
Despite the drop in visitation, higher slot hold was a big reason for the gaming revenue gains on the Strip. Slot revenue rose 10% to $420.2 million, up from $381.1 million. Slot hold was 8.2%, up from 7.5% in June 2024. The slot handle was flat.
Strip baccarat win totaled $126.5 million and was down $9.3 million or 6.9%. Baccarat volume totaled $777.8 million and was up 7.7% or $55.9 million. This was on a hold of 16.3% this year versus 18.8% last year.
The Strip’s games win of $345.1 million decreased 8.3%, or $31.4 million, and drop totaled $2.2 billion and decreased 3.5%, or $78.2 million. Games hold percentage was softer this year at 16% versus 16.9% last year.
Downtown Las Vegas had a big gain at 10.5% from $66.2 million to $73.1 million in June.
Las Vegas casinos that serve neighborhoods and local residents saw a 9.3% increase in June with a three-day positive effect from the calendar year-over-year, gaming analysts said. It went from $243.1 million in June 2024 to $266.2 million last month. Slot revenue rose 9.4% to $224.7 million while handle was up 2.8%. Table revenue rose 10.3% while table drop fell 11.6%.
North Las Vegas had a 4.7% from $22.8 million to $23.9 million.
The Boulder Strip reported $87.3 million in revenue, a 19.3% increase from the $73.2 million.
Also in Southern Nevada, Laughlin had $39.9 million, a 6.6% increase over the $37.5 million in June 2024. Mesquite recorded $14.1 million, a 2.4% increase from $13.8 million.
In Northern Nevada, Reno had $67.8 million, a 5.6% increase over the $64.2 million in June 2024. Sparks had $13.7 million, a 1.8% increase over the $13.4 million. South Lake Tahoe had $19.7 million, a 2.6% increase over the $19.2 million a year ago. North Lake Tahoe had $2.2 million, a 4.6% increase over $2.1 million.
The only decrease statewide was reported in Elko County, down 0.5%.
Statewide, table, counter and card games win of $432.9 million decreased 6.6%, or $30.6 million, and games drop of $2.8 billion decreased 3.9%, or $113.2 million from June 2024. Games hold percentage was 15.5% versus 16% last year, according to Shelley Newell, senior economic analyst with the Gaming Control Board.
Statewide baccarat win of $127.3 million decreased 8.1% or $11.3 million. However, the baccarat drop of $785.6 million increased 4%,or $30.3 million. Baccarat’s hold percentage was 16.2% versus 18.4% last year. The total gaming win excluding baccarat increased 4.9% or $56.7 million, Newell said.
Statewide slot win of $899.4 million increased 9.2%, or $76 million, and coin-in of $12.2 billion was also up $207.3 million or 1.7%, Newell said.
Nevada sportsbooks overall won $42.1 million, up 41.2%, or $12.3 million, compared to June 2024 on a higher hold percentage this month of 8.5% versus 6.2% last year. Sportsbook wagers totaled $496.7 million, up 3.2%, or $15.4 million, compared to last June when $481.3 million was wagered statewide. Mobile wagers totaled $360 million up 14.6%, or $45.8 million, and accounted for 72.5% of all wagers, Newell said.
In downtown Las Vegas, slot win totaled $52.5 million and increased 19.2% ($8.4 million). Slot coin-in was also up 3% ($16.6 million). Slot win percentage was 9.1% versus 7.9% last year. Game and table win totaled $20.6 million, down 6.8% ($1.5 million). Games drop increased 0.5%, or $984,000, on a hold of 9.8% versus 10.6% last year, Newell said.
In North Las Vegas, slot win totaled $21.6 million and increased 3.5%, or $724,000. Volumes were up 5.8%, or $16.2 million, while hold was 7.3% versus 7.5%.
On the Boulder Strip, slot win was up 20% ($13.2 million). Slot coin-in was up 3.9% ($41 million) while slot hold was 7.2% versus 6.3%. Game and table win totaled $8 million up 13.1% ($926,000). Games volume was down 4.6% ($2.5 million), hold was 15.4% versus 13%, Newell said.
In Washoe County, slot win increased 6.8% ($5 million). Slot coin-in totaled $1.4 billion and was up 6.4% ($86.5 million) versus June 2024 while hold was 5.5% essentially the same as last year, Newell said.
Game and table win totaled $11.9 million down 7.3% ($936,000). However, games’ volume was up 4.9% ($3.7 million). Hold was 14.8% versus 16.8% last year, Newell said.
In Washoe, the sportsbooks were up 43%, or $610,000, while volumes were up 13.9% or $2.7 million on a hold percentage of 9.3%, which is up this year versus 7.4% last year, Newell said.
June’s strong event schedule wasn’t enough to slow visitation in June.
Rod Stewart performed at The Colosseum Las Vegas at Caesars Palace on various dates between June 1-8. On June 2, Bruno Mars continued his residency at Dolby Live inside the Park MGM with additional dates set for August and September. Kenny Chesney held performances between June 4-21 at the MSG Sphere. Allegiant Stadium hosted a doubleheader CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer event on June 22 with Saudi Arabia playing against Trinidad and Tobago and defending champion Mexico facing off against Costa Rica. The UFC 317 lightweight bout between Ilia Topuria versus Charles Oliveira was held at T-Mobile Arena on June 28, Newell said.
