Las Vegas keeps turning convention space and show seats into measurable economic momentum, with 11 million square feet of capacity and major events pulling in six figure crowds. In 2023 alone, conventions generated $12.4 billion in economic impact and visitor spending averaged $1,885, while the Strip casino and entertainment ecosystem supported 413,000 jobs across Southern Nevada. This post connects the dots between meetings, hospitality, wagering, and ticket sales so you can see exactly how big gatherings translate into everyday numbers.
Key Takeaways
- Las Vegas Convention Center hosted 1.5 million attendees for events in 2023
- CES 2024 at Las Vegas drew 130,000+ attendees from 150 countries
- Total convention space in Las Vegas exceeds 11 million sq ft, with 90% utilized in 2023
- Gaming employment in Clark County totaled 203,000 jobs in 2023
- Total visitor industry employment 413,000 in Southern Nevada 2023
- Gaming sector contributed $14.5 billion to Nevada GDP in 2023
- In fiscal year 2023, the Las Vegas Strip casinos generated a total gaming revenue of $8.85 billion, marking a 6.7% increase from 2022
- Nevada's statewide gaming win reached $15.52 billion in 2023, with Clark County accounting for 73% of the total at $11.34 billion
- Slot machine revenue on the Las Vegas Strip in 2023 totaled $6.23 billion, representing 70.4% of total Strip gaming revenue
- Las Vegas hotel occupancy reached 89.2% in 2023, highest since 2019
- Total visitor volume to Las Vegas was 40.82 million in 2023, up 4.6% from 2022
- Average daily room rate (ADR) on the Strip hit $237.08 in 2023
- Cirque du Soleil's "O" show at Bellagio had 1,200 performances since 1998, attracting over 15 million viewers by 2023
- The Sphere venue hosted 191 shows in its first year 2023, with ticket sales exceeding 800,000
- U2's residency at The Sphere in 2023-2024 sold out 40 shows, grossing over $200 million
Las Vegas welcomed over 40 million visitors in 2023 and generated $14.5 billion in gaming GDP impact.
Related reading
01 · Category
Conventions and Trade Shows27 stats
01
Las Vegas Convention Center hosted 1.5 million attendees for events in 2023
02
CES 2024 at Las Vegas drew 130,000+ attendees from 150 countries
03
Total convention space in Las Vegas exceeds 11 million sq ft, with 90% utilized in 2023
04
Number of conventions held in 2023 was 22,106, generating $12.4 billion economic impact
05
Average convention delegate spending was $1,050per day in 2023
06
Mandalay Bay Convention Center spans 2.1 million sq ft, hosting 1,200 events yearly
07
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 attracted 130,000 attendees over 4 days
08
Average exhibit space per convention is 250,000 sq ft in Las Vegas
09
Trade show exhibitors numbered 5,200 at CES 2024
10
Las Vegas hosted 1.47 million convention attendees in Q1 2024 alone
11
MGM Grand Garden Arena used for 150+ convention events yearly
12
Average convention length is 3.2 days with 1,800 delegates
13
SEMA Show 2023 drew 160,000 attendees and 1,100 exhibitors
14
Total meeting room space in Las Vegas is 2.5 million sq ft across properties
15
NAB Show 2024 expected 90,000+ attendees
16
Convention revenue per occupied room night was $245in 2023
17
Number of trade shows in 2023: 1,856
18
Average booth cost at Las Vegas trade shows $40per sq ft in 2023
19
EDC Las Vegas 2023 (electronic dance convention-like) had 525,000 attendees over 3 days
20
Total group business bookings for 2024 exceed 5 million room nights
21
Venetian Expo offers 2.3 million sq ft, renovated in 2021
22
Average lead generation per exhibitor at CES: 1,200 contacts
23
Las Vegas group market share of visitors 22% in 2023
24
Waste Management Open 2023 convention drew 650,000 fans
25
ARIA Resort hosted 500+ corporate events in 2023
26
Total convention center hotel rooms within 1 mile: 150,000
27
Licensing Expo 2023 had 15,000+ attendees from 40 countries
Interpretation
Conventions and Trade Shows Interpretation
While one might come for the spectacle, Las Vegas has masterfully pivoted to a global business hub where, frankly, the real jackpot is the $1,050 a day spent by each of the millions of convention delegates who are far too busy generating billions to be distracted by a slot machine.
02 · Category
Economic Impact and Employment28 stats
01
Gaming employment in Clark County totaled 203,000 jobs in 2023
02
Total visitor industry employment 413,000 in Southern Nevada 2023
03
Gaming sector contributed $14.5 billion to Nevada GDP in 2023
04
Average gaming wage $45,600annually in Clark County 2023
05
Total economic output from visitors $79.3 billion in 2023
06
Tax revenue from gaming $1.1 billion statewide in 2023
07
Leisure/hospitality jobs 28% of total Clark County employment 2023
08
Dealers employed 18,500 on Strip in 2023
09
Unemployment rate in Las Vegas MSA 5.2% in 2023 average
10
Total payroll for gaming $9.2 billion in Clark County 2023
11
Conventions generated 152,000 jobs in 2023
12
Gaming multiplier effect adds $2.50to economy per $1 revenue
13
Food/beverage employment 45,000 in casinos 2023
14
Total state/local taxes from visitors $8.9 billion in 2023
15
Hotel employment 52,000 in Southern Nevada 2023
16
Entertainment jobs 12,300 including performers/tech 2023
17
Labor participation rate 62.1% in Las Vegas 2023
18
Gaming benefit fund contributions $25 million in 2023 for employee health
19
Total non-gaming revenue $40 billion from Strip properties 2023
20
Average hotel employee wage $38,200in 2023
21
Induced employment from spending 110,000 jobs in 2023
22
Construction jobs from expansions 15,000 average yearly 2023
23
Gaming industry charitable contributions $150 million in 2023
24
Total MSA GDP $140 billion with entertainment 25% share 2023
25
Female employment in gaming 48% of total workforce 2023
26
Unionized workers 50,000 in major Strip properties 2023
27
Per capita visitor spending $1,885in 2023
28
Direct gaming employment growth 2.1% in 2023
Interpretation
Economic Impact and Employment Interpretation
Behind the dazzling lights and clinking chips, Las Vegas is essentially a corporate city-state with a gambling problem, where nearly one in three workers is a showman, server, or dealer propping up an economic empire that generated $140 billion—proving that what happens here doesn't stay here, it gets multiplied, taxed, and turned into paychecks for half a million people.
03 · Category
Gaming Revenue and Operations30 stats
01
In fiscal year 2023, the Las Vegas Strip casinos generated a total gaming revenue of $8.85 billion, marking a 6.7% increase from 2022
02
Nevada's statewide gaming win reached $15.52 billion in 2023, with Clark County accounting for 73% of the total at $11.34 billion
03
Slot machine revenue on the Las Vegas Strip in 2023 totaled $6.23 billion, representing 70.4% of total Strip gaming revenue
04
Table games on the Las Vegas Strip contributed $2.62 billion in gaming revenue in 2023, up 8.2% year-over-year
05
Downtown Las Vegas gaming revenue hit $857.6 million in 2023, a 4.1% rise from the previous year
06
The average daily slot win per unit on the Strip was $1,528in 2023, compared to $1,412 in 2022
07
Baccarat drop on the Las Vegas Strip reached $12.4 billion in 2023, generating $1.18 billion in win
08
Sports and race wagering handle in Nevada totaled $6.81 billion in 2023, with win at $521.9 million
09
Number of slot machines on the Las Vegas Strip stood at 28,456 in 2023, down 1.2% from 2022
10
Table games count on the Strip was 2,947 in 2023, reflecting a 2.5% decline year-over-year
11
Gaming taxes paid by Strip casinos amounted to $505.2 million in 2023 under the 6.75% rate
12
Laughlin gaming revenue was $512.4 million in 2023, up 3.8% from 2022 levels
13
Reno gaming win totaled $795.6 million in 2023, a modest 1.4% increase
14
South Lake Tahoe casinos reported $284.3 million in gaming revenue for 2023
15
Elko County gaming revenue reached $430.1 million in 2023, driven by slots
16
Average table drop per table on the Strip was $1.45 million in 2023
17
Blackjack hold percentage on the Strip averaged 2.28% in 2023
18
Craps revenue on the Strip was $378.6 million in 2023, up 7.1%
19
Roulette win totaled $412.4 million on the Strip in 2023
20
Number of Nevada gaming licenses issued was 189 for non-restricted slots in 2023
21
Online gaming revenue in Nevada hit $215.4 million in 2023
22
Strip casino patrons averaged 1.2 million visits per month in 2023
23
Gross gaming revenue per square foot on the Strip was $4,120in 2023
24
Keno and poker revenue combined for $89.7 million on the Strip in 2023
25
Number of patrons per gaming table per day on Strip averaged 45 in 2023
26
Video poker hold percentage statewide was 7.85% in 2023
27
Boulder Strip gaming revenue totaled $1.02 billion in 2023
28
Mesquite gaming win was $189.4 million in 2023, up 2.9%
29
Total Nevada gaming positions were 212,456 in 2023, dominated by slots
30
Strip blackjack drop was $4.23 billion in 2023
Interpretation
Gaming Revenue and Operations Interpretation
While the Strip's tables and baccarat high-rollers provided a thrilling 8.2% surge, the steady, deafening *cha-ching* of its 28,456 slot machines—each quietly vacuuming an average of $1,528 daily—remains the relentless financial heartbeat of Vegas, proving that the house always wins one nickel at a time.
More related reading
04 · Category
Hotels and Visitor Numbers28 stats
01
Las Vegas hotel occupancy reached 89.2% in 2023, highest since 2019
02
Total visitor volume to Las Vegas was 40.82 million in 2023, up 4.6% from 2022
03
Average daily room rate (ADR) on the Strip hit $237.08in 2023
04
Revenue per available room (RevPAR) on Strip was $211.79in 2023
05
Total hotel rooms in Clark County: 154,209 as of 2023
06
Downtown Las Vegas occupancy averaged 82.4% in 2023
07
Off-Strip occupancy was 84.7% with ADR $142.50 in 2023
08
Average length of stay for visitors: 3.7 nights in 2023
09
Hotel revenue statewide reached $7.8 billion in 2023
10
Number of hotel room nights sold: 42.5 million in 2023
11
International visitors comprised 18% of total, or 7.3 million in 2023
12
Leisure travelers 78%, business 22% of hotel guests in 2023
13
Peak occupancy month December 2023 at 93.2% Strip-wide
14
New hotel openings 2023 added 1,200 rooms, like Durango Casino Resort
15
Average group room rate $185/night in 2023
16
Total visitor spending $76.9 billion in 2023, up 11.5%
17
Hotel/motel tax revenue $752 million in 2023
18
Repeat visitors 52% of total in 2023 survey
19
Air arrivals to Harry Reid Airport: 57.6 million passengers in 2023
20
Average party size 2.8 persons per hotel stay in 2023
21
Nevada transient lodging tax collected $1.2 billion in FY2023
22
Boutique hotels occupancy 87.5% with higher ADR $280 in 2023
23
Resort fees averaged $45.22per night on Strip in 2023
24
Total Strip hotel rooms 87,723 in 2023
25
Off-peak occupancy low of 76% in January 2023
26
Hotel EBITDA margins averaged 32% for major operators in 2023
27
Visitor origin: 52% domestic drive-in, 30% fly-in, 18% international 2023
28
Average hotel spend per trip $1,150excluding gaming in 2023
Interpretation
Hotels and Visitor Numbers Interpretation
Clearly, Vegas has perfected the art of making guests pay handsomely to watch their money disappear, with hotels packed at premium prices proving that the real jackpot isn't in the casino—it's on the nightly bill.
05 · Category
Live Shows and Performances26 stats
01
Cirque du Soleil's "O" show at Bellagio had 1,200 performances since 1998, attracting over 15 million viewers by 2023
02
The Sphere venue hosted 191 shows in its first year 2023, with ticket sales exceeding 800,000
03
U2's residency at The Sphere in 2023-2024 sold out 40 shows, grossing over $200 million
04
David Copperfield's show at MGM Grand performed 1,000+ shows annually, with 4 million+ tickets sold lifetime
05
Absinthe at Caesars Palace averaged 95% occupancy in 2023, hosting 500+ performances
06
Penn & Teller at Rio had 1,800+ shows by 2023, drawing 3 million attendees
07
Jersey Boys residency shows totaled 2,400+ by closure in 2023
08
Average ticket price for Strip residencies was $145.30in 2023, up 12% from 2022
09
Total paid show attendance in Las Vegas was 12.5 million in 2022, recovering to 90% pre-pandemic
10
Cirque du Soleil's "Mystere" at Treasure Island has run 25,000+ shows since 1993
11
Adele's Caesars Palace residency 2022-2023 sold 100+ shows, grossing $187 million
12
Magic Mike Live at Sahara averaged 300 shows per year with 85% sell-outs in 2023
13
Blue Man Group at Luxor performed 8,000+ shows by 2023
14
Average show runtime in Las Vegas is 90 minutes, with 70% featuring production values over $10 million
15
Britney Spears' residency 2013-2017 grossed $130 million over 250 shows
16
Wakanda Forever immersive show debuted 2023 with 200,000 projected attendees annually
17
Average audience size for Strip headliners was 4,500 per show in 2023
18
Number of active productions on the Strip exceeded 50 in 2023
19
"The Beatles Love" by Cirque has sold 5 million tickets since 2006
20
Stake.com's Post Malone residency 2024 planned for 25 shows
21
Comedy shows like Carrot Top at Luxor average 400 performances yearly
22
Production costs for Sphere shows average $50 million per residency
23
Las Vegas show revenue totaled $1.2 billion in 2023
24
Number of tribute band shows weekly exceeds 100 in 2023
25
Average VIP ticket price for residencies $500+ in 2023
26
"MJ Live" Michael Jackson tribute sells 300,000 tickets yearly
Interpretation
Live Shows and Performances Interpretation
Cirque du Soleil’s aquatic alchemy, Adele’s gravitational pull, and U2’s billion-dollar geometry prove Las Vegas is a perpetual motion machine for money, spectacle, and human devotion, where even a card trick can run for thirty years and a magic show is still the surest bet in town.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Sophie Moreland. (2026, February 13). Las Vegas Entertainment Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/las-vegas-entertainment-industry-statistics
MLA
Sophie Moreland. "Las Vegas Entertainment Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/las-vegas-entertainment-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Sophie Moreland. 2026. "Las Vegas Entertainment Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/las-vegas-entertainment-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
43 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level