Mesquite and Laughlin post gains while Las Vegas visitor numbers decline

As Las Vegas saw an 8% drop in visitor volume to 22.6 million during the first seven months of 2025, nearby Mesquite and Laughlin posted stronger results by maintaining lower costs and avoiding ancillary charges.

Data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) show that Laughlin visitor volume rose 6% to 859,000, while Mesquite reported a 2.1% decline to 508,000 during the same period.

Industry leaders in Mesquite say the results point to traveler sensitivity to resort fees and paid self-parking, which remain common on the Strip.

Operators point to value

“It’s an hour drive to kind of decompress a little bit, and it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg,” Tom Jannarone, General Manager of Mesquite Entertainment, which operates the CasaBlanca and Virgin River resorts, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “It’s not like you’re getting robbed.”

Jannarone, who began his career in Las Vegas opening The Mirage with Steve Wynn in 1989, said visitors are seeking alternatives where charges are lower. Mesquite Mayor Jesse Whipple echoed that view, recalling his reaction when Las Vegas casinos first introduced parking fees. “I remember the first time I went to Vegas and had to pay for parking, it was like, ‘What the hell’s going on here?’” Whipple told the Review-Journal.

Whipple, who also sits on the LVCVA board of directors, said the Strip’s new “Las Vegas Fabulous” advertising campaign is trying to address that perception by promoting affordable options. “They are making the effort to do that and let people know that there are affordable options,” he said.

Gaming revenue and hotel performance

Even with the slight dip in visitor count, Mesquite’s financial performance is trending upward. The average daily room rate in the town reached $91.83 through July, an increase of 9.4% compared with last year. Gross gaming revenue for the same seven-month period climbed 5.9% to $118.4 million, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

Jannarone and Mesquite Entertainment vice president of marketing and advertising Andy Falkof said those results show the town remains attractive to visitors, particularly golfers and casino patrons.

Property investments

Unlike Laughlin, where major renovations have been limited, Mesquite Entertainment has invested in upgrades at CasaBlanca. The company plans to open StrEATwalk, a food court designed to add casual dining, alongside Katherine’s Steakhouse & Lounge. Jannarone said the bar at Katherine’s offers “wines, whiskeys and bourbons that would match up with any of Las Vegas’ best bars – and offers bottles and flights for a fraction of the Las Vegas cost.”

“We’re at a moment where people are certainly seeking out destinations such as this, a little bit further outside the norm, but with great value, great quality, and we’re very happy to deliver,” Falkof said.

Customer service and pricing

Jannarone pointed to customer feedback highlighting service and pricing. “When we speak to customers, we find they enjoy the quality of the food, they really enjoy the quality of the service, and they brag about the price point,” he said. “If you go to a bar at any major Strip property and order a beer, it might cost you $12 or $15. While here, we’re at $3, $3.50.”

Whipple said Mesquite is benefiting from traffic between California and Utah’s national parks. He noted that while the city offers fewer entertainment options than Las Vegas, visitors are responding to affordability and convenience.

“Mesquite is a very safe city. It’s a quiet city. It’s very convenient. You can get anywhere in town in five to 10 minutes. If you love to golf, there’s that. If you love to gamble, there’s that. And it’s more affordable than you’re going to get in Vegas,” he said.