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Local experts, including professors from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), have been closely monitoring these developments. Recent numbers paint a sobering picture: visitor volume has declined by approximately 11% in June, with around 1.5 million fewer tourists in the first half of 2025 alone.
Major gaming companies echo these concerns. During a recent earnings call, Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg admitted that the company had intentionally shifted away from attracting budget travelers, focusing instead on “quality” customers—a euphemism for the wealthier demographic. MGM’s Bill Hornbuckle echoed this sentiment, emphasizing a new business model that prioritizes exclusivity and higher spending per visitor.