Nevada matches all-time record streak of eight months with $1B+ casino wins

The Nevada Gaming Control Board reported Tuesday that casinos in the area have won more than $1.2 billion in October, as gaming continues its recovery amid the pandemic; marking a streak of eight months straight of $1 billion or more in house winnings, which matches an all-time record for the state.

Casinos in Clark County led the way in reported winnings with $1.05 billion, and resorts on the Las Vegas Strip accounted for $702 million of that total. The statewide monthly tally of casino winnings was up 19.5% compared with pre-pandemic October 2019.

In a year-over-year comparison, numbers for Nevada went up nearly 49% in gaming wins, as a direct result of the reactivation of tourism bringing back visitors to Las Vegas. McCarran International Airport said Tuesday that nearly 4.2 million passengers arrived and departed in October, making it the busiest month since the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020. 

Michael Lawton, NGCB's senior analyst, attributed robust Nevada casino winnings to strong demand across gambling markets, a rebound in leisure travel and the return of special events and entertainment. He noted the month of October had five weekends this year, compared with four last year.

Lawton said the key “gaming win” figure for 2021 is now 9.2% above calendar year 2019.

The report also showed that Nevada reaped $71.8 million in tax revenues based on October figures. With all four major professional U.S. sports active - baseball, football, basketball and hockey - sports betting topped $1 billion for the month for the first time.