July 2024 marked a notable downturn in Nevada’s gaming revenue, with the state experiencing its first decline in four months. According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s report released on August 28, the total gaming win for the month was $1.31 billion, reflecting a 6.9% decrease compared to July 2023. This decline follows a particularly strong performance in July 2023, which recorded one of the highest monthly win totals in Nevada’s history at $1.41 billion.
The Las Vegas Strip Leads the Decline
The Las Vegas Strip, a major contributor to Nevada’s gaming revenue, saw a significant 15% drop in its gaming win, falling to $709.3 million. This decline was primarily attributed to a challenging comparison with the previous year. Michael Lawton, a senior economic analyst with the Gaming Control Board, explained that July 2023 had been exceptionally strong due to an unusually high baccarat hold rate, which stood at 23.52%, the highest since June 2003. In contrast, the hold rate in July 2024 was 14.39%, contributing to the overall decline in gaming revenue.
Despite the decrease on the Strip, other regions of Nevada showed varied results. Downtown Las Vegas casinos experienced a 9.9% increase in gaming win, reaching $71.8 million. Similarly, Clark County’s outlying areas, including the recently opened Durango casino in southwest Las Vegas, reported a 19% rise in revenue, totaling $171.2 million. Conversely, Sparks saw an 11.4% decrease in gaming revenue, while North Lake Tahoe reported a 14.1% increase, and South Lake Tahoe’s revenue remained stable.
Factors Contributing to the Downturn
The decline in July’s gaming revenue comes after a period of record-setting performance in the fiscal year 2023-24. While the drop is notable, Lawton emphasized that it should not be viewed as the beginning of a prolonged downturn. “This was a very difficult comparison as July of ’23 was the second highest win total in state and Strip history due to a very difficult baccarat comp related to hold,” Lawton stated.
Other factors also played a role in the revenue decline. The temporary closure of The Mirage for renovations, as it transitions into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, removed a significant revenue source from the Strip. Additionally, July 2024 had one fewer weekend compared to the previous year, further impacting the figures.
Despite these challenges, Nevada’s gaming industry has shown resilience, maintaining a streak of 41 consecutive months with revenues exceeding $1 billion. July’s gaming activity generated nearly $95.9 million in state gaming taxes, though this was a slight decrease from the previous year.
Looking Ahead: August and Beyond
As Nevada moves into the final months of 2024, the gaming industry will need strong performances, particularly in November and December, to achieve another record-setting fiscal year. Historical data suggests that August might see a slight improvement, as the past two years have shown modest gains during this month. However, these gains may not be sufficient to fully offset the decline observed in July.
Tourism and entertainment continue to play a crucial role in driving gaming activity. Despite the decline in gaming revenue, July saw significant events that attracted visitors, including performances by Garth Brooks, Lady Gaga, Kevin Hart, and Mariah Carey, as well as the Copa America quarterfinal match at Allegiant Stadium.
However, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) reported slight decreases in key tourism indicators. Visitation dropped by 0.4%, convention attendance decreased by 6.9%, and traffic on highways into Las Vegas fell by 1.5%. On the other hand, passenger boardings at Harry Reid International Airport increased by 2.3%, marking the fourth highest in the airport’s history.
As the year progresses, the gaming industry will be closely monitoring these trends to assess their impact on Nevada’s overall economic performance.
Source:
Nevada sees first drop in gaming win in 4 months, reviewjournal.com, August 28, 2024.