A hospitality and tourism expert sheds insight into how a future Las Vegas NBA team would boost tourism and global tourism, as the “Entertainment Capital of the World” has worked to overcome slower visitation numbers. Las Vegas has rebranded as the Sports Capital of the World, as more franchises move into the valley and a bevy of athletic and sporting events are now held here, from the Super Bowl to Wrestlemania.

With the practice of “tipflation,” there’s been greater pressure on American consumers to tip service workers more than in recent years. This pressure can be a source of frustration for retirees living on a fixed income — especially with credit card fees passed on to customers at dining establishments.

Las Vegas Strip and downtown casinos closed out 2025 with a slight uptick in gambling revenue despite a significant drop in visitors and signs of pricing fatigue among customers, according to public data and industry analysts.

Whether it’s a reaction to the “Vegas is dead” narrative or a routine effort to fill hotel rooms, the city’s bid to attract customers for the Super Bowl weekend is unlike any in recent memory, with Strip rooms going for less than $100 a night and the typical luxury outlets tamping down room rates.

Las Vegas is gearing up for a tourism resurgence in 2026, driven by a robust lineup of conventions and events. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the city hosted approximately 38.3 million visitors between January and November 2025, marking a 7% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. However, optimism is high for a rebound.

With a new Consumer Electronics Show, the world's eyes are once again on Las Vegas. But the sinful desert city is no longer the same: in 2025, almost all success indicators—from visitor numbers to incoming flights—were downgraded.

Several casinos outside the Las Vegas Strip are expanding their properties despite a tourism slump in the city. These casinos report increased visits from outside the area, prompting them to label themselves "hybrid" resorts.

The puck is about to drop for a Tuesday evening Vegas Golden Knights game, and the Durango Casino and Resort parking lot is filling up quickly underneath the glow of a 130-foot-tall marquee promising $3 shots and beers. Inside, beyond the bustling baccarat tables, a longtime local named Patricia Moore adjusts her Vegas Golden Knights cap as her husband, John, places his bets.