Although Nevada’s final 2023 sports betting numbers are still pending, it is likely to be a record-breaker.
In October alone, sports betting generated a stunning $68.1 million in revenue. This makes it the third best month for Nevada sports betting revenue ever. It bumped September’s sports betting revenue of $62.3 million. So much for those who thought Nevada would struggle with the expansion of U.S. legalized sports betting.
Gambling, overall, has been healthy this year in Nevada. October – which brought in $1.3 billion – marked the 32nd consecutive month with over $1 billion in gambling revenue.
Nevada sports bettors had a lot of local action to bet on this year. Vegas was home to two championship teams in 2023. In just their sixth season, the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in June. It was great news for sports bettors and fans. But it wasn’t such great news for the Silver State’s sportsbooks, which reportedly lost $6.6 million on hockey in June.
Tom Brady, former NFL New England Patriots legend, bought a stake in the WNBA Las Vegas Aces in March of 2023. Brady’s money was well spent – certainly better than betting on his former team this year (currently 3-11 for the season). The Las Vegas Aces secured the WNBA title in October, becoming the WNBA’s first back-to-back champions in more than 20 years.
See also: Sports Betting in New York in 2023
Poker, racing among Vegas highlights
The 54th annual World Series of Poker’s Main Event drew a record-breaking field of 10,043 entrants. The $10,000 buy-in event was held. Daniel Weinman took the bracelet, winning $12.1 million. This was the event’s second year at Caesars' Paris and Horseshoe properties.
If there was a downside to the WSOP, it was the absence of Doyle Brunson, who died in May of this year. The legendary player won 10 WSOP bracelets over his 50-year career and authored what is considered the bible of poker, "Super System."
Nevada’s gambling year should finish strong, especially due to F1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. The November race was Las Vegas’ first F1 race in more than 25 years. The event drew a significant number of high rollers, boosting revenue across high-end casinos. BetMGM said it was the most bet F1 race in its history, drawing almost triple the normal F1 action.
📻 "VIVAAA LAS VEGAS!" @Max33Verstappen takes his 18th win of the season, in true Vegas-style 🏆😂#LasVegasGP #F1 @redbullracing pic.twitter.com/EQYbCCkBmL
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 19, 2023
The F1 race had its highs and lows, but the city, the promotors, and the casinos learned a lot about what to expect next year. For instance, hotels are offering more reasonable rates for the 2024 race weekend.
See also: 10 Predictions, Bold and Otherwise, About Sports Betting in 2024
Two new casinos – one less star
Year-end gambling revenue will also be helped by not one – but two – new Vegas casinos. The Durango opened its doors on Dec. 5. The Stations casino has a 10,000-square-foot sportsbook, featuring the first double-sided center hung LED display.
The long-awaited Fontainebleau had its debut on Dec. 13. The upscale casino kicked off with a bevy of A-listers, including Tom Brady, Justin Timberlake, and Kim Kardashian. Sports bettors enjoyed The Tavern, Fontainebleau’s 14,000-square-foot sportsbook, offering panoramic screens, plush seating, and pub favorites for dining.
There was one notable star taken from Las Vegas this year. The legendary entertainer Tony Bennett died in July. Bennett opened for Milton Berle at El Rancho in 1952. The legendary crooner went on to play almost every iconic casino in Vegas, including the Sands, Sahara, Desert Inn, Wynn, Golden Nugget and more. His last Vegas performance was in 2019 at the Park MGM Theater with Lady Gaga.
