Under 40s blamed for decline in Las Vegas casino industry

Young adults gambling online and not drinking has been blamed in US media circles this week for an 11% decline in casino visitors.

We have covered a lot of recent stories about the downturn in the Las Vegas casino industry, and this week, we have a scapegoat - young people!

In June 2025, Las Vegas welcomed around 3.1 million visitors, down 11.3% from the same month last year. One of many examples of Las Vegas tourism being in decline. 

This week in the US media, the blame for this decline has been pointed squarely at young people. The suggestion is that those under 40 prefer to gamble online and socialise through digital platforms, rather than in person.

Is alcohol (or a lack of) to blame? 

Another big shift is alcohol use. Nearly 38% of adults under 35 now avoid drinking altogether, which marks a sharp contrast to previous generations who often saw Vegas as a party destination.

As a result, hotels are feeling the impact. We have already reported that hotel occupancy is down this year in Vegas, and average room prices have dropped by 6.6%, now sitting at about $163.64 per night. Billionaire Tilman Fertitta's planned 43-storey resort has even been cancelled, with the site now left as a car park.

This is one of many concerning trends for the casino industry in Las Vegas. There have also been reported declines in revenues and next year's gambling tax, which will only allow 90% deductions of losses. 

It appears that if the casino industry in Las Vegas is to thrive, there needs to be a concerted effort to shift marketing attention towards younger gamblers.