Vegas weekends are slipping away — And California’s to blame

By Kelly Chapman  Nevada News and Views

Las Vegas is hurting. And a big reason why is California.

Tourism is down. Room rates are dropping. Casinos and restaurants are struggling to fill tables.

And while plenty of folks are pointing fingers at the economy or politics, there’s one problem that keeps getting swept under the rug:

California’s mess is spilling over into Nevada.

According to a recent Las Vegas Review-Journal report, visitor numbers are dropping, and businesses on the Strip are feeling it. June saw fewer tourists compared to last year.

Even more troubling? Visitors from Southern California, who usually drive in for quick weekend trips, are showing up less and spending less.

That’s a big deal. California is our biggest neighbor and one of our biggest sources of tourists.

But instead of sending fun-seeking visitors with full wallets, the Golden State is exporting inflation, crime, and bad energy policies — and Nevada is paying the price.

High Gas, High Prices, Fewer Visitors

One major factor is gas prices.

In California, the average price for a gallon of gas was over $5.00 in June, according to AAA. Compare that to around $3.90 in Nevada.

Sure, that’s still high — but not as painful as in Los Angeles or San Diego.

And it’s not just gas. California’s cost of living has gotten so bad that even short trips to Vegas feel like a luxury.

Rising rent, energy bills, and food prices are squeezing California families. When you’re already paying through the nose just to live, a spontaneous trip to Vegas becomes harder to justify.

As Greg Chase, a Las Vegas hospitality expert, told the Review-Journal, “People aren’t coming to Vegas for fun as much as they used to. They’re watching their wallets.”

Who’s Filling the Hotels?

Here’s another issue: high-end tourists are still flying in. But the regular folks — the ones who drive in from California for a weekend getaway — are vanishing.

That matters. Nevada’s tourism economy wasn’t built on high-rollers alone. It runs on everyday Americans who come for a show, a buffet, and a night out.

If that crowd disappears, it doesn’t just hurt casinos. It hits restaurants, ride-share drivers, parking attendants, showgirls, janitors — everyone.

Even the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is taking note.

In June, hotel occupancy on weekends dropped to 84.8 percent, down from 89.3 percent last year. That’s a sign something’s off, especially during summer.

California Problems, Nevada Pain

Let’s be real: California’s progressive policies are driving people out.

They’ve made it harder for businesses to operate, raised taxes, and pushed extreme climate regulations that spike energy costs.

And when Californians flee that mess, many come to Nevada.

Some move here permanently. Others just visit.

But even as they cross the state line, they bring their problems with them — especially when California’s policies slow down our main economic engine: tourism.

Ask any Las Vegas cabbie or casino worker. They’ll tell you the same thing: fewer Californians are coming, and the ones who do are tipping less, spending less, and leaving faster.

Nevada Needs to Be Nevada

The good news?

Nevada can still chart its own course. We’re not California — unless we choose to be.

That means keeping taxes low, protecting affordable energy, and supporting businesses that make Nevada a great place to visit and live.

Critics might say this is just part of a larger economic trend. And sure, inflation and global events play a role.

But you can’t ignore the obvious: California’s policies are hurting their own people, and now it’s hurting us too.

If we want to get Vegas back on its feet, we need to stop importing California’s bad ideas. Nevada works best when it remembers what made it special in the first place: freedom, fun, and common sense.

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Kelly Chapman is the executive director of the Nevada Business Alliance, a candidate for Nevada Assembly District 8, and a 46-year resident of Las Vegas. You can reach her at NevadaBizAlliance@gmail.com or (702) 483-0186. You can follow her on Twitter/X here: @Chapman4Nevada.