In what has become a regular occurrence, the Nevada gaming industry set a new May record with $1.32 billion in statewide gaming win, according to figures from the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB).
The figure represents the eighth-highest monthly total in history and the 39th consecutive month of $1 billion-plus in revenue for the Silver State. It is also a 2.45 percent increase from the same period last year.
For the fiscal year so far, the state is up 4.5 percent from 2023. All indications point to Nevada recording its fourth consecutive year of record revenue.
As always, the Las Vegas Strip accounted for the lion’s share of the total, reporting $742.4 million in May. This was a sharp increase of 11.5 percent from April and a 3.7 percent increase from the same period last year.
Strip slot totals came in at $403 million, which was “better than expected,” according to a research note from Deutsche Bank gaming analyst Carlo Santarelli. Table games logged $339.5 million, a 5 percent year-over-year increase despite a 7 percent drop in baccarat.
Elsewhere in Clark County, the locals market posted $168 million in May, a 12 percent increase from last year. Bolstered heavily by the opening of Red Rock’s new Durango casino, that sector is up over 7 percent year-to-date.
Conversely, Laughlin ($36.9 million) saw a year-over-year decrease of more than 20 percent, by far the biggest drop of any market reported by the NGCB.
To the north, Washoe County as a whole ($90.4 million) stayed just about flat year-over-year. Reno’s $65.2 million was a 1 percent decrease whereas Spark’s $15.3 million was a 2 percent decrease from a year ago.
North Lake Tahoe had the biggest increase of any market (17 percent) but also the lowest revenue total ($2 million). Its neighbor, South Lake Tahoe, saw a year-over-year drop of just under 10 percent to $17.6 million.
State sportsbooks had a great month, collecting $36 million in revenue off $515.1 million in handle. That represents a 20 percent increase from last May, and for the year, revenue is up 5.6 percent despite handle being down 5 percent.
Visitation for the month came in at 3.66 million, per the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). That’s the second-highest total so far for the year, just under March’s total of 3.67. This was fueled primarily by the Electric Daisy Carnival music festival and a slight uptick in convention travel, the LVCVA said.
Additionally, Harry Reid International Airport reported 5.2 million passengers for the month, the second-highest total on record.
