The renowned casino floors in Las Vegas are becoming increasingly quieter as table game dealers are among the first to suffer from technological advancements and a decline in tourism.
Prominent resorts along the iconic Las Vegas Strip, such as Fontainebleau and Resorts World, have begun to reduce their workforce, with many of those affected being dealers, as traffic on the gaming floor declines.
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“We want these casinos to remain successful and vibrant as it creates opportunities for our new dealers to transition, that’s the aim,” stated David Knoll, Managing Director of CEG Dealer School, in an interview with KLAS.
Declining foot traffic leads to job cuts
According to new statistics from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, visitor numbers fell by 7.8% year-over-year in March 2025, marking the third consecutive month of declining tourism. This drop in visitors led to a 4.8% decrease in gaming revenue on the Strip and a reduction in hotel occupancy from 85.3% to 82.9% compared to March 2024.
While overall tourist numbers decreased, convention attendance in Las Vegas has risen by 10%. Experts caution that this uptick in conventions is unlikely to balance out the significant overall downturn.
Analysts attribute the nationwide tourism slump partly to a sharp decline in international arrivals due to changing U.S. travel policies. Travel Weekly reported a more than 70% drop in summer flight bookings between Canada and the U.S. compared to the previous year.
Automation accelerates job losses
As casinos tighten their finances, automation is transforming the role of traditional table game dealers. Casinos have introduced electronic table games that handle betting and payouts autonomously, leading to further reductions in labor costs.
Knoll remarked on the decreasing interest in dealer training programs, noting, “Our enrollment has significantly declined, and fewer people are moving to Las Vegas for job opportunities.”
What lies ahead
Many elements are contributing to the declining tourism in Las Vegas. Factors such as former President Trump’s tariff policies, his controversial comments about countries like Canada and Greenland, and increased scrutiny faced by international tourists at U.S. borders are likely deterring visitors.
Future developments in Las Vegas, including Universal Studios’ upcoming Horror Unleashed attraction and a $1.75 billion stadium for the Athletics, could potentially attract new visitors, but the city’s tourism and revenue generation may continue to face challenges in the near term. If this trend persists, casinos might be compelled to implement further cuts, keeping Las Vegas’s unemployment rate elevated compared to the national average of 4.2%.
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This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as advice. It is provided without any warranty.
