Casinos hoping New Year's Eve brings gamblers back to Las Vegas

That is why it comes as no surprise that Thursday is shaping up to be a big day for Las Vegas casinos. New Year's Eve not only serves as an end to an awful year, but casinos are also hoping the holiday brings along some extra revenue.

New Year's Eve in Las Vegas has always been a big deal. This year, the casinos are not going all out as in previous years, but there still will be enough entertainment to draw people that would not normally come to Sin City.

"New Year's Eve is a time in Nevada when the casinos make up for some of their lost revenue from the holiday season," said Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz, "This year, the parties will not be as big, but they will still bring in more people than a normal weekend would throughout the year."

The casinos are hoping that the visitors that do come into town to celebrate the new year, bring with them money to gamble. Revenue has been down almost across the board at Las Vegas casinos this year, and any boost the end of the year can bring will be welcomed.

Atlantic City and Las Vegas have been considered for a long time to be the two major casino destinations in the US. The two cities have experienced double digit declines in revenue at their casinos for much of 2009.

The increase in competition around the country is also keeping gamblers out of the two gambling meccas. Most analysts predict that the casino industry will not fully turn around until 2011, but at least for this weekend, Las Vegas casinos are hoping the new year comes with increased business.