Las Vegas casinos are stepping up efforts to draw crowds for the NFL season, as sports betting grows in the U.S. Local sportsbooks face increasing pressure to offer more than just betting odds, as the popularity of online betting is now available in many states.
Key Takeaways
- With betting apps everywhere, Vegas sportsbooks are ready to offer experiences you can’t get at home.
- Casinos are counting on the NFL season to bring the crowds back.
- To compete, they’re adding real perks like fan zones and comfy viewing lounges.
Westgate and other casinos are creating immersive gameday experiences to position Las Vegas as a sports-viewing destination, not just a betting hub.
“It’s very competitive nowadays,” John Murray of Westgate Las Vegas told Las Vegas News 3. “You don’t need to come to Nevada or Las Vegas to bet on sports legally anymore. You’ve got to give people more of a reason to come.”
The push comes as tourism has dipped and headlines highlight rising costs, such as inflated resort fees and expensive bottled water prices. Despite the challenges, Las Vegas casinos remain optimistic that the NFL season will help revive foot traffic, with tailored promotions, upgraded venues, and exclusive in-person experiences that can’t be replaced through an app.
Las Vegas officials push back on 'overpriced' narrative
Las Vegas saw a 12% drop in visitors in July, the sixth straight monthly decline. However, Steve Hill, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, noted that the city is offering good value for the money spent. He mentioned the ongoing deals – including waived resort fees and different packages – as efforts to counter backlash over rising costs.
“We have seen some of the hotels already lowering prices, reducing or eliminating resort fees and creating packages,” Amanda Belarmino, an assistant professor at UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “It seems, however, that most of the complaints are not about room rates but more about the affordability of food and beverage options. This would seem to me to be a better way of getting positive publicity; however, that is an area with tight margins for profit, so it may be a challenge to do so.”
Hill accepted concerns and comments on social media, especially about hidden fees, but claimed that perceptions often outweigh the actual math. While Canadian travel is down, the number of visitors from Mexico, the UK, and Australia is increasing. He also blamed costly U.S. visa fees and long processing times for suppressing some international demand.
Still, casinos continue to post strong revenue, with July gaming income up 4% year-over-year.
