September's data reveals that Las Vegas saw little change in gaming revenue and visitor numbers, while air traffic continues to decline.
According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, gaming revenue on the Strip reached $693.4 million, remaining nearly identical to the same month last year, with a variance of just 1%. This figures places the market at a 1.7% increase over last year's performance through this part of the fiscal year. Statewide, gaming revenue totaled approximately $1.28 billion, reflecting a similar trend with growth of about 1.7% year-over-year.
A closer look at the Strip highlights a $55.4 million win in baccarat, lower than expected but still representing an increase of nearly 10% compared to the previous year. Over the last 12 months, the Strip has garnered $1.5 billion from this game, nearly equaling the total winnings from all other table games during that time.
Visitation numbers were stagnant in September, with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reporting just over 3 million visitors. Visitor volumes have fluctuated between positive and negative trends for the past six months, with last year's figures consistently falling.
Occupancy rates across Las Vegas remained flat in September, decreasing slightly by 0.5%. However, other key performance indicators show concerning trends. Average daily room rates dropped by 6% year-over-year across the region and fell by 10% on the Strip specifically. Additionally, revenue per available room decreased by 12% on the Strip and 7% overall, as reported by the LVCVA.
Air travel has also taken a hit at Harry Reid International Airport, with September recording 4 million passengers, a decrease of 8% from the previous year. After experiencing a 6% decline in 2025, the airport is on track for an even steeper drop this year, currently showing a 7% decrease year-to-date. An exception in September was a 6% rise in international traveler numbers.
Rising fuel and airfare costs are impacting travel throughout the US, particularly in leisure destinations. On MGM Resorts' third-quarter earnings call, CEO Bill Hornbuckle noted domestic airfares have increased by more than 10% since March, with prices to Las Vegas specifically surging over 40% since last summer. MGM reported declines in revenue and EBITDA for Las Vegas in Q3, a trend mirrored by competitor Caesars Entertainment.
In southern Nevada, gaming performance differed significantly across markets. Downtown Las Vegas recorded a 7.5% year-over-year decrease, totalling $82.5 million, while the locals market saw a 3% dip to $154.2 million, and Laughlin's revenue fell 16% to $33.7 million, the sharpest drop in the region. However, North Las Vegas excelled, growing 9% to $25 million, while the Boulder Strip remained stable at $83.2 million.
In Reno, gaming revenue declined by 3.5% to around $73 million, marking a rare miss for the city after a strong performance streak since early last year. Unlike Las Vegas, Reno is currently experiencing record-high visitation and room revenue, achieving monthly hotel revenue records from January to June, with August also setting new highs.
Regarding sports betting, Nevada's statewide gross gaming revenue remained flat at $54 million, with mobile betting contributing $31 million to this total. With the NFL and college football seasons underway, sportsbooks in Nevada registered $35.5 million in winnings from football betting in September, a 7% increase from the previous year.
