^{Downtown Las Vegas casinos saw a boost in high-limit slot play and sports betting in September. (Image: Fremont Street Experience / Facebook)} 

Statewide gaming revenue was up 3.34% in September to $1.3 billion, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB). This reverses the 3.8% decrease in August. So far, Nevada's gaming revenue for the quarter (July 1 - Sept. 30, 2024), is 2.59% lower than last year.

Casinos across Nevada saw revenue increases, with Clark County (aka Las Vegas) leading the way. 

Vegas Strip gaming revenue was down slightly while off-strip casinos saw big increases -- particularly in high-limit slots, which is usually reserved for the Strip. (Thanks, Durango!)

Visitation to Las Vegas was up for the month. While occupancy was higher, hotel room rates were surprisingly down. These two usually move in unison -- especially when conventioneers are in town.

Off-Strip Money Makers in Las Vegas

Nevada gaming revenue is primarily generated from Las Vegas and its surrounding areas. September was no different. In fact, the increase in Clark County gaming revenue was larger than the state as a whole.

Clark County's gaming revenue for the month was $1.13 billion. This was 3.7% higher than a year ago. Off-strip casinos were the main reason for the increase in September.

While the Vegas Strip fell slightly, downtown Las Vegas and the outer areas were up -- a lot compared to last year. In September, gaming revenue on the Vegas Strip was down 1.83% to $727 million, while revenue in Downtown Las Vegas was up a massive 33.05% to $91 million.

Boulder Strip gaming revenue, where casinos like Sam’s Town and Boulder Station are located, was up 19.33% to $80 million. The “balance of county” segment, where Durango Casino is located, saw an increase of 15.88% to $155.9 million.

High Limit Slots, Table Games Boost Downtown Revenues

There are a few games that move the monthly gaming revenue needle in Las Vegas. Baccarat and slots are often the revenue leaders.

Vegas Strip casinos have a love/hate relationship with Baccarat. This high-roller favorite with minimal house advantage can single-handedly move revenue from red to black and vice versa.

In September, baccarat revenue was down almost 40% compared to last year to $88 million. The only table games to show an increase on the Vegas Strip compared to last year were Craps, Let It Ride, and Ultimate Texas Hold ’Em.

While slot revenue on the Strip increased overall, every denomination besides $5 and multi-denom (mostly bartop games) was down. 

A few major revenue spikes downtown in September compared to last year:

• $25 slot machines were up 643%
• Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em was up 466%
• Sports Betting revenue was 48% higher

Revenue from penny and nickel slots were the only two denominations to decrease in downtown Las Vegas casinos for the month.

For the “balance of (Clark) county,” gaming revenue from $1 and $5 slots was up 25% and 83%, respectively.

A September dip for bingo in  stood out for me. Overall, bingo in Clark County casinos was down 38.92% compared to last year, according to the NGCB.

Las Vegas Visitation Keeps Rising

According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), visitation in September was up 1.8% to 3.9 million. Leisure travelers flocked to Las Vegas for Pink, the iHeartRadio festival, boxing, UFC, and more.

Convention attendance was up a whopping 29.2% to 527,000. Surprisingly, there weren’t any large conventions in September. The National Mining Association’s MineExpo was the largest of the month with 50,000 attendees.

All of those visiting for conventions helped weekday hotel room occupancy increase by 2.2% to 81.1%. Weekend visitation was 90.4% for the month. Overall hotel occupancy was up 1.3% to 83.9%, according to the LVCVA.

Increases in visitation and hotel room occupancy usually mean higher room rates, but that wasn’t the case in September.

The average daily room rate was down 2.6% to $196.34. Prices fell on and off the Strip. Downtown Las Vegas casinos saw a huge 11.3% dip to $107.25. These rooms were still less expensive than Vegas Strip rooms, which averaged $209.58 for the month.

The LVCVA attributes some of the September dip to calendar quirks, as Labor Day weekend occurred mostly during August this year.