Why tourists are throwing away their tickets to Vegas

Las Vegas has long been the world’s gambling mecca; a neon-soaked paradise of ringing slot machines and high-roller glamour. For decades, tourists flew in to experience the “what happens in Vegas” mystique. But the gambling landscape is changing fast. Rising costs, shifting travel habits, and the convenience of online gaming are prompting many would-be visitors to stay home. Traditional casinos on the Strip are facing headwinds as digital platforms surge in popularity.

In 2025, Vegas’s famed glitter is losing some of its shine. Visitor numbers are falling - only 3.2 million people arrived in August, down 6.7% from the previous year - while online gaming revenue hit $1.78 billion in the same month, up 20.8% year-on-year. The message is clear: global gamblers are logging in, not flying in.

A trip to Las Vegas is no longer the affordable getaway it once was. Inflation has pushed up prices across the board, from hotel rooms to buffet lines. A CBS report found the average hotel stay costs $180 per night, excluding resort fees, parking, and taxes. Visitors now complain of “crazy” prices for everything from coffee to cocktails. What used to be a spontaneous weekend break can easily rival a European holiday in cost.

This perception of poor value is driving tourists away. “Nickel-and-diming” practices such as charging for parking, early check-in, and even pool access have soured the experience. And for international visitors, rising airfares and exchange-rate pressures only add to the deterrent.

The result: fewer tourists and lighter casino floors. June 2025 saw just 3.1 million visitors – an 11.3% year-on-year drop. July fell by roughly 12%. In the first seven months of 2025, Vegas welcomed 22.6 million visitors, an 8% decline compared to the same period in 2024.

Extreme summer heat waves, topping 110°F, have also kept people indoors. Business travel remains slow to recover, with conventions and corporate events down compared with pre-pandemic peaks. Collectively, these trends have made Las Vegas a harder sell, especially for younger tourists who value convenience and comfort over spectacle.

Casino operators face a generational problem: Millennials and Gen Z aren’t drawn to the classic Las Vegas scene. The old-school glamour of “slots and showgirls” doesn’t resonate with digital natives.

“Young people have 40 options to gamble on their phones from the comfort of their home,” says commentator Robby Starbuck. “I don’t know anyone under 40 who goes to Vegas regularly to play slots.” His view reflects a major shift in behaviour, gambling no longer requires a trip to Nevada.

Convenience is central. Players can log into casino sites or betting apps anytime, anywhere. Instead of booking flights and hotels, they can play a few hands of poker from their sofa or place a sports bet while watching a match. What’s more, this generation grew up online. Gambling through an app feels as natural as streaming a film.

Social and cultural habits have also evolved. Younger adults are drinking less than their parents’ generation, and the hard-partying nightlife of Vegas holds less appeal. They socialise digitally - through online gaming, streaming, and social media - and gambling has followed them there. Twitch streamers broadcast live blackjack and poker sessions; TikTok is filled with short clips of roulette wins and “casino hacks.” These virtual spaces recreate the buzz of gambling without the cost or inconvenience of travel.

While Vegas struggles to fill hotel rooms, online casinos and sportsbooks are booming. Digital gambling platforms are open 24/7, accessible via phone or computer, and offer far greater variety than even the largest casino floor.

Players can switch between hundreds of themed slot games, join live-dealer tables streamed from studios, or enter international poker tournaments, all in a few clicks. Innovations like crash gambling and cryptocurrency betting have created new genres entirely.

Crypto-based platforms, for example, let users wager with Bitcoin or Ethereum, offering speed, anonymity, and global reach. Review sites such as LuckyHat have emerged to help users navigate this space, ranking crypto casinos and sportsbooks by safety, fairness, and reputation. LuckyHat also provides tools like a roulette simulator and strategy calculator, helping players learn the mechanics and odds behind popular games before they play for real.

This educational side of online gaming is one of its biggest draws. Unlike a noisy Vegas casino, where new players may feel intimidated, digital platforms allow users to practise, learn, and improve at their own pace. WDW Bingo’s free Roulette Simulator is a good example, letting players test betting systems and understand payouts risk-free. These tools turn gambling into a more analytical, user-friendly experience.

The data highlights a clear divergence between land-based and online gambling.

• Las Vegas visitation: 3.4 million in May 2025, down 6.5% from the previous year; 3.39 million in March, down 7.8%. Year-to-date visitor volume fell 8% compared with 2024.
  
• Online gambling revenue: $905.6 million in March 2025 (up 26.2% year-on-year); $1.78 billion in July 2025 (up 20.8%).

Online gaming is now roughly 30–40% of the Strip’s monthly revenue, despite being accessible in only part of the U.S. Globally, the online gambling market was $79 billion in 2024 and is forecast to double to $153 billion by 2030.

Meanwhile, Vegas casinos rely increasingly on fewer, higher-spending guests. A surge in baccarat revenue, up 51% year-on-year in August 2025, temporarily masked weaker visitor numbers. But such gains depend on a small pool of big players, not broad appeal.

The broader picture is unmistakable: online gambling is expanding faster, cheaper, and more inclusively than the Vegas model can match.

The appeal of online gaming extends beyond convenience. It also addresses many of the frustrations visitors now associate with Las Vegas.

• Cost and control: Online players can wager at low stakes or even play for free. There’s no need to tip dealers, pay for taxis, or buy $20 cocktails. The absence of travel costs means gambling can fit almost any budget.
  
• Comfort and privacy: No crowds, no smoke, no noise. Players can enjoy games in comfort - at home, on the commute, or during a break - without feeling self-conscious or pressured.
  
• Variety and pace: Digital platforms let users play at their own speed, switch between games instantly, or even multitask. Impatient with a slow table? Start another game in seconds.
  
• Accessibility: Mobile gaming brings casinos to people who might never have visited one. Someone in London, Tel Aviv, or Sydney can now experience the thrill of the tables without leaving home.
  

These advantages have made online gambling a global phenomenon. Its accessibility and flexibility appeal to both new and seasoned players, and, crucially, to demographics who never saw Vegas as their playground.

None of this means Vegas is dying. The city still offers what no website can replicate: luxury resorts, live entertainment, Michelin-star dining, and a unique sense of spectacle. But when it comes to gambling itself, the necessity of being in Las Vegas has disappeared.

In 2025, a poker enthusiast in Paris or a slots fan in Singapore can access a richer, cheaper, and more personalised experience online. For Vegas, this shift represents both a challenge and an opportunity. To win back younger audiences, casinos may need to evolve, integrating more digital interactivity, reducing excessive fees, and focusing on the experience rather than the transaction.

The future of gambling will likely be hybrid. Land-based casinos will cater to social experiences and luxury entertainment, while online platforms continue to dominate day-to-day play. The balance of power is already shifting, from the glimmer of the Strip to the glow of the smartphone screen.

This article was written in cooperation with FTD Digital