It’s been presumed for years now that as the popularity of online casinos and poker rooms rises, the popularity of land-based casino gambling has been on the decline, especially since the economic changes in the US have affected big gambling city revenue like Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Now a new study has proven the fact. According to the study done by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which promotes Las Vegas tourism, people in Las Vegas are actually spending less money and vacation time on gambling. When they do gamble in the casinos, they wager less amounts on common games like slots, blackjack, and craps.
The agency reported that in 2010, 80% of tourists spent an average $466 per person on casino gambling, slightly lower than the 2009 average, which was $482 per person. The study also showed that not only was the amount of money spent on gambling less, but so was the time actually spent in the casinos. In 2009, the average casino patron gambled about 3.2 hours per day, whereas, is 2010, the time was calculated at less than three hours per day.
The reduced time and money spent in casino gambling in 2010 seems to be made up for in other Vegas attraction activities. Money spent on food and drink, hotels rooms, shows, transportation, shopping, and sightseeing has actually increased, making up for the shortage in casino gambling. Tourists are now taking more advantage of other interests Vegas has to offer.
Online casinos is one of the major factors in these variables in Vegas revenue. Tourists would rather spend their gambling time and money at home, online, in the comfort of their homes whenever they please without the hassle of travel. Online casinos offer more incentives than land-based casinos, as well, like bonuses and other promotions. Frankly, if tourists are going to leave their homes for vacation and travel, they want to make the most of it and not spend their holiday sitting in a dark, smoky casino. They’d rather experience Vegas for everything else the city has to offer.
