Nevada gaming revenue and tourism metrics experience sharp declines during difficult opening month of 2026

January 2026 data shows an 11 percent drop in Las Vegas Strip revenue and a significant slide in air traffic as the Nevada gaming market faces a tough start.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 6:09 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from iGB

Significant downturn in Strip gaming performance

The Nevada Gaming Control Board reported that the state generated 1.34 billion dollars in gross gaming revenue during January, representing a 6.5 percent decrease compared to the previous year. The Las Vegas Strip bore the brunt of this decline, with revenues falling 11 percent to 747.6 million dollars. This figure marks the largest monthly percentage drop for the Strip since early 2025. A primary factor in this contraction was the performance of baccarat, which plummeted 44 percent to 118.5 million dollars as the state hold percentage for the game fell significantly from the 27 percent recorded in January of the prior year.

Widespread struggles across southern Nevada markets

Beyond the main Strip, other major gaming hubs in southern Nevada also encountered headwinds at the start of the fiscal year. Downtown Las Vegas saw a 5 percent revenue decline to 75.4 million dollars, while the locals market dipped 3 percent to 165.6 million dollars. Boulder City reported a 7 percent decrease. Despite these monthly setbacks, these three specific sub markets remain in positive territory for the fiscal year to date, providing a slight contrast to the Strip, which currently sits at a 1 percent deficit for the same period.

Tourism and aviation metrics impacted by carrier shifts

Visitation to Las Vegas declined by 2 percent in January, totaling 3.2 million travelers according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. While occupancy rates generally trended downward, some financial metrics for hotels remained resilient, as average daily room rates rose 7 percent and revenue per available room increased by 3.5 percent. However, air traffic at Harry Reid International Airport suffered a 19 percent slide in international passengers. The bankruptcy of Spirit Airlines significantly hampered domestic numbers, with the carrier’s traffic dropping by 74 percent, while major airlines from Mexico and Canada also posted double digit declines.