Las Vegas’ Casinos Anticipate a Tourism Rebound in 2026

Land-Based Gambling Vertical: Current Situation

On January 30th, Wynn Las Vegas held one of the industry’s biggest events, the 2026 edition of Preview Las Vegas. The business gathering brought together more than 1,500 leading companies and keynote speakers. A central focus of the meeting was the latest findings from the local Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).

As indicated in the regulatory body’s report, attendance volume at the amusement venue fell by 7.5% YoY to 38.5 million. Moreover, the number of travellers has been decreasing for 12 consecutive months, while the average hotel occupancy rate for 2025 slipped by 3.3% to 80.3%.

Operators’ Perspectives: Tourism Economic Outlook

Although the statistics are inauspicious, industry leaders remain confident in Las Vegas’s long-term prospects for stable growth, pointing to strong backing from both the public and the business community.

Let us delve into the main views on this topic:

1. Boyd Gaming. The brand emphasised that the current market trends do not represent a structural crisis. The management is fully convinced of the sector’s positive outlook. Their priority is to implement efficient measures to support the sphere during the tourism slowdown and to prepare for the next phase of visitor growth.
2. MGM Resorts. The company highlights the responsibility of major operators to drive the city’s sustainable development through reinvestment and to maintain its competitiveness. The main goal is to strengthen Las Vegas’s lasting stability. The brand contributes about $800 million annually to local growth and plans to sustain or even increase this level of funding.
3. LVCVA. According to the regulator, gambling and hotels together generate 300,000+ jobs and account for around 50% of Nevada’s taxes. Consistent actions by operators help stabilise the market situation during periods of weaker demand. While a temporary dip affects all industry stakeholders, the authority is committed to overcoming these challenges and reinforcing confidence in the city’s growth and economic resilience.

Industry specialists emphasise that the local sector has faced comparable downturns multiple times, underscoring their cyclical character. For 2026, a packed schedule of niche conferences, conventions, and other high-profile events is expected to help stabilise performance and drive improvement. Leading market participants project that these initiatives will play a substantial role in supporting tourism recovery and reinforcing the city’s economic momentum.