Las Vegas is a popular destination for tourists, but visitors are not flocking to the city in the numbers they once were, at least according to a new report. In March 2025, visitor volume was down by 7.8% from the same period last year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Beyond falling visitor numbers, gaming revenue on the Strip, where many of the iconic hotels and Vegas experiences exist, was down 4.8%. Additionally, noted in the article, the Trump administration’s tariff and immigration policies are unpopular around the world. International visits to the U.S. fell approximately 14% in March from the same period last year, according to government data cited by the U.S. Travel Association in April. It added that “domestic travel has held relatively steady so far in 2025 – but early signs suggest this momentum may not last.”
For this report, SBS will be going over the latest gaming updates coming from Las Vegas, and also some additional thoughts and updates coming from SBS and beyond.
Gaming revenue was up on the Boulder Strip and Downtown, but they rake in a fraction of the revenue that the Strip sees. Hotel occupancy in the city reached 82.9%, down from 85.3% last year. The total room nights occupied were down by 6.1% year over year.
On the face of it, a 7.8% drop in total Vegas visitors is a stark reality. The city’s tourism-based economy relies heavily on the dollars that out-of-towners spend in their hotels, restaurants, bars, casinos, and more. Although the city is experiencing a drop in overall visitors, not all forms of foot traffic are down. Surprisingly, convention attendance is up 10%. The spike in convention attendance is due in large part to a recent health care conference, which brought a massive number of attendees to the city. But since this conference rotates each year, Vegas likely won’t enjoy this conference-related bump to the economy next year.
It’s clear, the same report notes, that visitor traffic is down in Las Vegas, and there appear to be multiple contributing factors. The LVCVA report cited “a slightly less-packed event calendar and as-yet unclear impacts of evolving federal policies rippling through international and domestic markets.” Moreover, the report from the U.S. Travel Association added that “domestic travel has held relatively steady so far in 2025 – but early signs suggest this momentum may not last.”
Many visitors may choose to skip a Vegas vacation due to cooling feelings toward the U.S. Last year, the city drew five million international visitors, and more than half were from Canada and Mexico, according to LVCVA. U.S. relations with both countries have been tense lately. Americans may also be nervous about the economy and spending. A recent Bankrate survey found that only 46% of U.S. adults plan to travel domestically or internationally this summer, down from 53% last year. Sixty-five percent of the non-trravler group said it’s because they cannot afford it, even though travel costs are actually down compared to this time last year, per another financial resource.
In other news, MGM Resorts’ hiring of a Hollywood power broker, Ryan Abboushi, as President of Entertainment is a “very big deal.” Per the same report, Abboushi is not the typical Las Vegas casino-resort entertainment executive. He does not come from Cirque or not managing showrooms. He comes from CAA, Creative Artists Agency, one of the most powerful agencies on Earth. The detail is not a footnote, it’s a headline. Abboushi’s job at CAA was not to book casino lounge acts and manage property signage. He brokered deals, assembled creative teams and sold high-concept content across platforms.
He did not manage acts, the article notes, he moved intellectual property like chess pieces. MGM Resorts is not just booking show anymore, it plans to own them. And not just “shows,” but entertainment experiences, the future of Las Vegas and the world. Historically, casino companies rarely create anything where they own the intellectual property. They wait for events and attractions, then they hitch their wagons to them. MGM Resorts is not waiting anymore. Show costs have ballooned, ticket prices have soared and mid-tier productions are struggling. Abboushi’s background includes developing large-scale brand partnerships, securing content deals for talent across TV, film, streaming and live events, and connecting talent to global platforms and sponsors for the resort property. Certainly, MGM is aiming for this hire to be a game-changer for them.
Once you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gaming news and updates coming from Sin City, make sure to peruse the excellent array of resources available to you at SBS. Of course, for even more insights on the city here, the online Vegas sportsbooks guide has you covered with all the latest news coming from the region and beyond. Conversely, for those on the go and who qualify, the best betting apps rundown has you covered. On this page, you can learn all about the benefits of mobile betting and how you can stay on top of the action if you qualify. Finally, another amazing resource to check out is the BetOnline sportsbook review breakdown, which covers all the fantastic updates coming from BetOnline and how you can use them to your advantage.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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