Brick-and-mortar casinos in Las Vegas, Reno, Atlantic City, Tunica, Louisiana, and other US cities are all reporting lower foot traffic and revenue numbers for Q1 of 2025.
With what some analysts are calling the “Trump Slump,” domestic casinos are preparing for a rough year, as casino game rooms are generating less revenue compared to previous years. As the crisis intensifies, the overall landscape of American casino tourism is approaching a period of significant structural change.
Vegas is considered the gambling mecca of the United States, with more than 150 casinos, according to the Las Vegas Gaming Control Board. In April, the city experienced a 5.1% decline in tourism, resulting in fewer jobs and empty hotel rooms. Several major resorts, including Fontainebleau and Resorts World, have already begun laying off employees.
According to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation, the city concluded 2024 with an unemployment rate of 5.9%, which was the highest among major U.S. metropolitan areas.
However, there are opportunities for Vegas to capitalize on tourism soon, with the 2026 World Cup and America’s upcoming 250th birthday in 2026.
Are Legitimate Online Casinos To Blame For Casino Woes?
No, legitimate online casinos could be a contributing factor, but it is unlikely, given that domestic and online casinos have coexisted for many years. The decline in US tourism is likely due to the political rhetoric seen over the past few months.
According to Forbes, the US is on track to lose $29 billion as visitors from outside the country are choosing to go elsewhere. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recently analyzed the economic impact of tourism in 184 countries. It revealed that the US was the only country forecasted to see a decline in international visitor spending in 2025.
Can I Trust An Offshore Casino?
If you play a licensed online casino site that is operating legally, you can generally trust the site. Licensed casino sites undergo regular compliance checks, where regulators test the odds for fairness and ensure that end-to-end encryption protocols are functioning correctly.
Other ways to ensure you are playing with a legitimate operator include reading individual testimonials, verifying reputable payment options, and verifying that a trusted gaming regulator licenses the site.