Nevada Gaming Revenue Dips Slightly in September

Nevada gaming revenues declined modestly in September, with statewide revenue falling 2.3% compared to the same month last year.

According to a report published by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The drop was partly attributed to the Labor Day weekend starting in August, shifting some revenue into that month. 

Despite the decline, statewide casino win still surpassed $1 billion across 443 licensed venues. Clark County's 217 casinos still topped the $1 billion mark, even as countywide revenue fell 2.9%.

For the first quarter of the 2025–26 fiscal year, Nevada’s total gaming revenue remains up 2.3% at $3.9 billion, with Clark County contributing $3.3 billion of the total, a 1.7% increase year-over-year. Of the state's 20 monitored submarkets, 18 reported year-over-year growth in the quarter. The Las Vegas Strip posted the largest decline for the month, down 5.5% to $687.8 million, while downtown Las Vegas fell 2% to $89.2 million.

In contrast, the Boulder Strip, Laughlin, Mesquite, and outlying Clark County regions saw single-digit gains. Sparks reported the weakest performance statewide, with revenue down 10.2% to $14.2 million. JP Morgan gaming analyst Daniel Politzer said baccarat hold percentages contributed to the Strip's softness despite strong slot play. 

In addition to Nevada sports betting revenues, the state collected $87 million in September gaming taxes, a 12.3% annual decline, but quarterly tax collections were up 7.6% to $347.2 million.

Las Vegas airport traffic declines as tourism softens

Although the Las Vegas Strip offers many additional landmarks and tourist attractions, the dip in gaming activity mirrored a downturn in travel to Las Vegas. Harry Reid International Airport had 4.45 million passengers, 6.4% fewer than the 4.75 million who flew there a year earlier. Through September, the total number of passengers for the year was 41.5 million, almost 5% less than the same time last year. Both domestic and international divisions got weaker. Domestic traffic fell by 6.1%, and foreign travel fell by 13.5%.

Domestic volume was impacted by Spirit Airlines' national route reductions, which resulted in a 46% decline for the carrier in September. By comparison, Southwest Airlines rose 5.5% for the month and remains nearly flat for the year. 

United Airlines traffic increased 5.4%, while Delta Air Lines fell 2.1% and American Airlines dropped 5.3%.

Canadian routes were particularly weak, with Porter Airlines down 45.9%, WestJet down 44.3%, and Air Canada off 18.4%. Mexican carriers showed mixed results, with VivaAerobus growing 28.5% but Aeromexico slipping 11.2%. Long-haul travel from Europe and Asia improved, led by KLM up 46.8%, Korean Air up 25.9%, British Airways up nearly 10%, and Edelweiss up 22.4%.

Tourism officials said the decline reflects broader travel softness heading into the fall season. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is expected to release updated visitation and gaming figures this week, providing further insight into overall market momentum.