Visitors report ’empty’ casinos as Las Vegas tourism drops – but revenue is UP?

Tourism to the nation’s gambling capital has cratered, though the reason for the decline remains up for deep debate.

According to new data released by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), only 3.1 million tourists visited Vegas this June, down by a whopping 11.3 percent from the previous year, as reported by Fox News.

Additionally, hotel occupancy dropped by 6.5 percent from June 2024 to 2025. This is despite the average hotel room rate dropping by 6.6 percent to just $163.64 per night.

Even the local airport is down 4.1 percent year-to-date in passengers.

But why the decline? Some have blamed rising costs and Nevada’s legalization of marijuana:

The homeless and pot smoking on The Strip have something to do with it…. Las Vegas tourism drops sharply as some visitors claim ‘casinos are empty’ amid rising costs https://t.co/ePxtvjzuAw

— Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) August 2, 2025

“Mallory Dumond, Travelmation adviser and supervisor, recently [said] the cost of visiting Vegas has increased over the past year,” according to Fox News.

Indeed, according to many social media critics, the prices for EVERYTHING in Vegas have skyrocketed over the past few years and decades, to the point that even a buffet is now unaffordable.

Look:

No, it sucks there. $26 for a bottle of water.

— Lori Mills (@LoriMills4CA42) August 1, 2025

It’s not signaling a recession is knocking. It’s signaling that people are tired of paying $40 for a $10 buffet.

— Mountain Medic (@mountainmedic75) July 31, 2025

I think it is no one wants to pay $78 for an Alabama Slammer and a grilled cheese sandwich. The Vegas subreddit tells the true story.

— BlackRoomSec (@blackroomsec) August 1, 2025

I’m wealthy by most standards & love to play craps but quit going to Las Vegas because the corporate entities that bought up all the resorts unreasonably jacked the prices up on everything else that used to draw tourists there. It’s become a conference destination.

— Ted Howze DVM (@Ted_Howze) August 1, 2025

Here’s the receipt for a $12 COORS LIGHT at Harrahs.

Is this Trumps fault? pic.twitter.com/PfCfUKqBjJ

— Mark Swanger (@MarkSwanger760) August 1, 2025

These critics may have a point. How so? Because, despite tourism being down, Vegas’ gambling revenue is UP!

“Nevada’s gaming sector saw a 3.5% year-on-year rise in revenue for June 2025, totaling $1.3bn, according to the latest figures from the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB),” the Gambling Insider reported on Thursday.

“Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) also rose during the month, supported by gains across key markets including the Las Vegas Strip, which grew 0.9% to $765.3m. Downtown Las Vegas posted a 10.5% increase to $73.2m, while Clark County overall contributed $1.2bn – up 3.5% from June 2024,” the reporting continued.

If revenue is up but the number of tourists is down, it clearly means that the casinos have raised their prices.

Meanwhile, though revenue is up, tips are down, despite President Donald Trump’s new “no tax on tips” law.

“No tax on tips, that’s a rad thing, but it doesn’t really do us much good if there isn’t any people to get tips from,” Vegas tattoo artist Charlie Mungo told The Wall Street Journal.

He added that Canadian customers, who used to make up a large chunk of his clientele, have disappeared in part because of Trump’s trade war and strict immigration policies.

This has led leftists to conclude that Vegas’s downturn is solely Trump’s fault, but once again, critics say “not so fast.”

Seen below, critics have also pointed to other factors like increasing homelessness, open drug use, crime, and more:

Maybe their political ways are getting in the way of tourism. Homelessness, high crime rate and no punishment for those committing the crime.

— Gijo785 (@gijo78570) August 1, 2025

I grew up in NJ and remember Atlantic City in its gambling heyday. Now, it’s a crime and drug infested hellhole. Few people go any longer. Vegas is going down the same path.

— Joseph Graziano (@JosephGraz61860) August 2, 2025

Bad take! Vegas has been on the decline for years… Crime everywhere! Walk the strip and “thugs” are “Racing” up and down. Murders on the strip in past years! Inner cities hurting (SF, PHL, DC, NYC) for same reasons! Can’t leave resort anymore! Limits interest!

— DMac9211 (@DMac9211) August 2, 2025

It has nothing to do with recession and everything to do with the crime, the atmosphere, and the lack of concern for patrons and their safety. I used to love going to Vegas. Now. I’d rather take my chances at a local casino, than drive 4-6 hours for the same grungy experience

— Christi (@ChristiLamolli) August 2, 2025

Senior Staff Writer
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V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.

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