It’s no secret that Las Vegas doesn’t have the same buzz it used to. Fewer people are showing up, which is starting to pinch. Tourism in Las Vegas dropped more than 11.3% in June compared to the same month of 2023. From slots to shows, it’s not hard to imagine that visitors drive nearly everything. That’s why this drip can’t be ignored. Summer has always been a high point for the desert city, but the numbers aren’t stacking up for this year.
If you begin looking west of the city, you’ll start to understand why these numbers are dripping. Fewer cars are arriving from California. The biggest indicator? Traffic along Interstate 15 near the Nevada border was down 4.3% in June. This isn’t a massive number, but the drop does signal something since it’s the route that feeds thousands of weekenders into the city.
So, does that mean people don’t want to gamble? The answer is an astounding no. People haven’t stopped playing casino games, but they have decided to stop travelling to do so. More and more people are seeing the luxury of using online casinos. One of the biggest reasons for the popularity of licensed Nevada online casinos is convenience. People in California don’t need to make the drive all the way to Las Vegas to play a few rounds of poker or spin some slots. Even Nevada residents are deciding to stay home rather than making use of the Strip right on their doorstep.
Airports are slower, too. Flights into Vegas dropped by over 6% compared to last June. Los Angeles used to be a steady pipeline of air travelers, and it still is, to a degree. That said, the numbers are slipping. In 2024, Californians made up a fifth of Vegas’ inbound air traffic. The drop-off this summer is eating into that chunk, and it’s not just a blip.
Southern California alone accounted for nearly a third of all Vegas visitors last year. That kind of presence isn’t easy to replace. These weren’t just tourists. They were regulars who filled the gaps when other groups stayed home. Fewer of them coming through means quieter casinos, emptier buffets, and open seats at blackjack tables that used to be full.
A recent report estimated the U.S. could lose over $12 billion in international tourism spending this year. Vegas doesn’t shoulder all of that, of course. Still, it definitely feels the weight. The mood in many hotel lobbies lately feels quieter, more reserved. Staff are noticing it. So are taxi drivers, servers, and showrunners.
Governor Gavin Newsom flagged the trend back in May. He called it a “Trump Slump” tied to tariffs, foreign policy, and what he saw as a chillier welcome for international visitors. At the time, it was aimed at global travel, but now, with Californians themselves staying home, that slump’s creeping into Vegas’ own backyard.
Here’s the twist: revenue is still climbing. Clark County raked in $1.16 billion in gambling profits in June, up 3.5% from last year. Fewer people are coming, but the ones who do seem to be spending more. Still, that doesn’t make up for the empty rooms and open tables. For a city that thrives on movement, the slowdown is impossible to miss.
