Survey: Gambling plays bigger role for Vegas visitors

RESORTS have been investing millions in their non-gaming attractions to bring in visitors.

But Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s Visitor Profile report for 2019 found last year’s tourists were more likely to say the main purpose of their trip was to gamble. And, four in five said that they had gambled during their visit

RICHARD N. VELOTTA

— the highest level in the past five years.

“The survey said we now have a more gaming focused visitor,” said Kevin Bagger, the LVCVA’s director of research. “The percentage that said they gambled has hovered around 70 to 74 percent. In 2019, it bumped up to 81 percent.

“The time spent gaming, the average number of hours, also increased to 2.7 hours vs. 1.2 hours,” he said. “Their gaming budgets also increased.

The report said among those visitors who gambled in 2019, the average trip gambling budget was $591.06, up from $527.05 last year.

Bagger said there were fewer visitors with children, another indication that more adult pursuits are being sought.

“That number hadn’t moved for seven years, around 8 to 10 percent,” Bagger said. “Now, it’s 5 to 6 percent. It’s definitely a more adult-oriented visitor, the mainstay of Las Vegas.”

That evidence might also support Derek Stevens’ recent announcement that when his Circa resort in downtown Las Vegas opens in October, that no one under 21 will be admitted. Efforts to ban children at Las Vegas resorts in the past have

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