April’s figures have cast a shadow over the bright lights of Las Vegas, with the Strip’s casinos witnessing a dip in revenue for the third consecutive month. The downturn, amounting to nearly 3%, has seen gross gaming revenue fall to approximately $646.9 million compared to the same period last year. This trend is stirring unease among Nevada’s gaming operators, who are now scrutinizing their short-term business forecasts with a wary eye.

The global economic tremors—fueled by rising costs and the specter of trade tensions stoked by President Donald Trump—coupled with growing discontent over perceived value declines in Sin City, are compelling potential visitors to reconsider their travel plans. Critics argue that Las Vegas’s charm is waning under the weight of relentless nickel-and-diming tactics employed by many casinos, aimed at extracting every possible dollar from guests.

In an unveiling by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, it was revealed that April’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) shortfall on the Strip could largely be attributed to slots. While table games and sportsbook revenues modestly climbed by 1% to $259.4 million, earnings from slot machines tumbled over 5% to $387.5 million.

Clark County didn’t escape unscathed either, reporting a GGR of just over $1 billion—a decrease of 1.1%. However, some solace was found on the Boulder Strip where gaming wins surged by 8% to $89.9 million, partially cushioning the blow felt on the main Strip.

On a broader scale, Nevada’s statewide GGR stood at slightly more than $1.23 billion for April—a marginal decline of 0.5% compared with April of the previous year. This marks a nearly 4% drop in casino revenue over the past three months and a slight decline of 0.5% over the past twelve months.

Visitor numbers also took a hit last month according to data released by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Southern Nevada saw its visitor volume decrease by more than 5% to around 3.33 million individuals despite a resurgence in convention attendance which saw a 14% increase to 573,600 visitors—still leaving Las Vegas hosting 177,600 fewer guests overall.

This reduction in footfall naturally led to lower hotel occupancy rates across Las Vegas. Strip hotels experienced a slight decrease in room occupancy rates to 87.6%, while downtown accommodations witnessed almost a 3% drop in occupancy rates down to 72%.

Despite these challenges, Strip casinos maintained higher room rates; on average charging $194 for weekend stays and $182 during midweek nights in April. In contrast, downtown rooms offered more budget-friendly options averaging around $101.

Adding fuel to the fire of customer dissatisfaction is MGM Resorts’ introduction of new room service fees at its Bellagio property—an initiative seen as another example of “nickel-and-diming”. Dubbed “Classic Service”, MGM’s Bellagio is now imposing an additional fee of $25 atop room service orders for linens, silverware, and glassware usage—an option reduced to $10 if guests opt for “Takeout Service” which includes “eco-friendly” packaging and plastic utensils instead.

This move mirrors MGM’s earlier controversial decision in 2016 when it ended decades-long free parking perks at its Strip properties—an action credited with starting a trend that has since become widespread across Las Vegas resorts.

As industry observers closely watch these developments unfold against an uncertain economic backdrop and shifting consumer expectations, questions abound about how Las Vegas can adapt and reclaim its reputation as an unrivaled destination that delivers both value and excitement without compromising guest experience or resort profitability.