The Las Vegas Strip squeezed out a small gain in September. Casinos on the Strip won $693.5 million from gamblers, up 0.8% from September 2025, according to Nevada Gaming Control Board figures reported this week. Statewide, gaming revenue was flat at about $1.28 billion, the 67th straight month Nevada has topped $1 billion. At the same time, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) counted about 3.1 million visitors for the month, up just 0.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Strip gaming win: $693.5 million, up 0.8% year over year.
- Nevada statewide: flat at about $1.28 billion, the 67th month in a row above $1 billion.
- Slots carried the month: $452.6 million on the Strip, with hold rising to 8.23% from 8.04%.
- Visitors: 3,097,200, up 0.2%; convention attendance up 1.8% to about 436,200.
- Hotel rates fell: average daily rate down 6.3% to $178.63, occupancy 78.1%.
Slots did the heavy lifting
Strip slot machines won $452.6 million in September. Casino.org noted the slot hold, the share of money played that the house keeps, rose to 8.23% from 8.04% a year earlier. In plain terms, the machines paid out a little less, and that helped the Strip finish in the green even though tourism was basically flat.
Table games were mixed
Table games and sports betting combined for $240.9 million on the Strip, down 3%, and table game handle (the total amount wagered) fell 5%. Blackjack won $94 million, down 6%, and craps dropped 25% to $32.6 million. Baccarat went the other way, up 12% to $58.6 million, and roulette jumped 20% to $33.6 million.
Part of the year-over-year comparison comes down to the calendar. Truist Securities analyst Barry Jonas pointed out to Casino.org that Labor Day 2025 fell on Sept. 1, so many of last year’s holiday hotel nights were counted in August.
Visitors flat, room rates down
The LVCVA reported 3,097,200 visitors in September, up 0.2% from a year ago, and said the change reflected convention show rotations and scheduling differences. Convention attendance rose 1.8% to about 436,200. Hotel occupancy slipped half a point to 78.1%, the average daily room rate fell 6.3% to $178.63, and revenue per available room dropped 6.9% to $139.51, according to News 3.
What it means for locals and visitors
For visitors, lower average room rates show hotels are still competing on price heading into the holidays. For locals who work on the Strip, from dealers to drivers, the numbers point to a steady but not booming fall: crowds are holding even, while gamblers are spending a bit differently, with more action on baccarat and roulette and less on craps and blackjack. This is a news report on public figures, not investment advice.
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