Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Profiles 2022 Visitors

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has recently published its 2022 Visitor Profile study. This study serves as an excellent measure of the average visitor to Las Vegas.

This isn’t a precise science and doesn’t reflect every single visitor’s experience in Las Vegas. Besides just gambling in a Nevada casino, Sin City provides a vast range of different experiences.

This profile encapsulates the interests, behaviors, and spending trends of the average Las Vegas visitor, demonstrating that not every visitor shares the same purpose for their visit. For instance, it’s hardly surprising to find that gamblers and bachelorette party-goers spend their time differently in Las Vegas.

The survey sample is composed of 6,267 interviews and surveys conducted both in-person and online. This is based on the 39 million visitors from the previous year for context.

Las Vegas visitors are younger

The LVCVA research generally discovered that Las Vegas visitors are now younger than before. The average age of Las Vegas visitors dropped to 40.7 years last year, a decrease from 43.2 in 2021 and 46.2 in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented a survey from being conducted in 2021.

In 2021, a survey revealed that 21% of the respondents had children. However, this figure decreased, with only 16% of visitors acknowledging in the following year they were travelling with someone under 18. In 2022, over half (53%) of the visitors to Las Vegas were between the ages of 21 and 39. This represents the largest proportion of visitors within this age bracket in at least half a decade.

The percentages represent significant increases from 2019. Prior to the pandemic, a mere 5% of groups included children under 18.

Over the past 30 years, there has been a trend of visitors in Las Vegas becoming increasingly younger. In 1992, the average age of these visitors was 47.2.

Why do people visit Las Vegas?

Last year, the primary motivation for visitors coming to Las Vegas was for vacation or pleasure, accounting for 58% of those polled. This marks the highest proportion in the last five years.

The survey’s audience was made up of 12% of people who were visiting friends and relatives in Las Vegas. Although this was a decrease from 2021, it was the second most common reason for visiting Las Vegas in the previous year.

Last year saw a return to normality for conventions and business meetings. However, only 5% of those surveyed indicated that was their primary reason for visiting Las Vegas in 2022. An increase in this percentage is anticipated in next year’s report, given that CES recorded higher attendance than the previous year. The CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show, held in March, attracted over 100,000 attendees.

Only 6% of visitors reported gambling as their primary reason for visiting Las Vegas last year. This figure is relatively low, considering recent surveys have shown that between 5% and 14% of visitors travel to Las Vegas specifically for gambling.

75% of Las Vegas visitors gambled

Once upon a time, Las Vegas was the sole destination for casino gambling. However, the landscape has transformed, and there are now both physical and online casinos spread across the nation.

Furthermore, online sports betting can be accessed in over 35 states throughout the nation. It is more cost-effective to place sports bets from home than to travel to Las Vegas and use one of the Nevada sports betting apps, which are not necessarily superior.

In 2022, only 6% of visitors came to Las Vegas specifically to gamble, however, 75% of all visitors ended up engaging in some form of gambling during their visit. These figures are consistent with those of recent years.

Last year, people who gambled in Las Vegas did so for 2.6 hours during their visit, a decrease from 3.0 hours in 2021.

The average budget for visitors who gambled was around $761.22. This is not only a $43 rise from 2021, but also a significant leap from the levels before the pandemic. Among all gamblers, 36% allocated a budget of $600 or more. An additional 30% had less than $300 set aside for their Las Vegas visit. The Visitors Profile reported that the average daily gambling budget was roughly $173.

The mean duration of stays in Las Vegas, at 4.4 days and 3.4 nights, was lower than the 4.6 days and 3.6 nights recorded in 2021. This figure was approximately equivalent to the statistics from 2018 and 2019.

While downtown Las Vegas casinos generally offer better gambling odds and rules, only 8% of visitors went there specifically to gamble. Half of these visitors went to check out the happenings at the Fremont Street Experience.

Where did Las Vegas visitors spend money?

The expenditure on food and beverages rose for the third consecutive report, reaching $519.23. Although there was a decline in spending on sightseeing and shopping, the budgets for shows and entertainment significantly surpassed those of recent years.

Visitors to Las Vegas spent $32.55 on entertainment during their visit in 2021. However, this number dramatically increased to $117.29 the following year.

Pollstar, a trade magazine for the music industry, reports that Las Vegas holds the record for the most expensive concert tickets in the US, costing $151.69. This is notably higher than the concert ticket prices in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Half of the visitors who watched a show saw a production show like Cirque Du Soleil. 25% saw a headliner, while 14% witnessed a magic show.

Las Vegas is emerging as a hotspot for sports enthusiasts, evidenced by the 1.7 million spectators who attended events at Allegiant Stadium. Interestingly, up to 69% of the attendees at Raiders games were cheering for the away team.

Last year, 6% of survey respondents attended a sporting event in Las Vegas, a rise from the previous year’s 4%. As Las Vegas hosts more events, this figure is expected to continue its upward trend.

The Visitor Profile, for the first time, monitored the number of people who watched sports during their visit to Las Vegas last year. It was noted that one in six visitors (16%) viewed sporting events while in Las Vegas, whether at a sportsbook, a watch party, or simply on any TV.

Paying for Las Vegas hotel rooms

Those who prioritize gambling might perceive the average amount gambled by a typical Las Vegas visitor as low. This perception could also be shared by casino rewards members who take advantage of discounted or complimentary room offers for their Vegas trip.

Last year, 50% of visitors to Las Vegas who lodged in a hotel paid the standard advertised room rate. Although this might appear high to reward members, it’s actually the lowest it has been in recent years.

Last year, only 13% of visitors availed a casino discount rate and a mere 10% were given a complimentary room.

Looking ahead to the 2024 report

The beginning of 2024 in Las Vegas has been exceptionally strong. There was an increase in gaming revenue and overall visitation in both January and February.

The rise encompasses a higher number of visitors to Las Vegas for conventions. The LVCVA states that these visitors often remain in Las Vegas once their work is completed. The Visitor Profile survey revealed that 58% of those polled chose to extend their stay in order to partake in leisure activities, adding an average of 1.7 days to their visit.

Convention visitors experienced a 50% increase in February compared to the previous year. This surge in convention attendees this year is expected to boost profits for casino and hotel operators.

The hectic beginning of 2024 may encounter a hiccup, but there are more events and activities scheduled for both leisure and business travelers compared to recent years.