Early indications are that crowds were better than expected at casinos to ring in the beginning of 2009. The spending may have been down, but at least the people were out in force.
Las Vegas casinos have been hit hard by the weakening economy. In addition, the expansion of casino gambling around the country has left Las Vegas as a less attractive destination. For New Year’s Eve, however, the lights of the city could not be matched.
"We came here because our hometown casino does not offer the full electric atmosphere that we could find here in Las Vegas. The casinos put on a great show and it was a joy to spend New Year’s here," said Frank Liponi. who traveled from Detroit for the holiday.
Now the city hopes that the crowds will be a sign of what is to come. The past few months have not been telling as far as where the future will take business for the casinos. In October they fell twenty five percent. Then in November it is expected that they will not drop more than twenty percent.
In the New Year, the city is hoping a new administration can bring the change necessary to bring people back. With a couple of days under their belt, the new year is off to a good start.