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Why Gen Z and Millennials Are Snubbing Las Vegas

Sadonna Price by Sadonna Price, October 22, 2025

Gen Z Millennials Avoid Las Vegas

Las Vegas has been the ultimate adult playground for decades, but Millennials’ Las Vegas trips and even Gen Z’s Las Vegas experiences look very different than those of their parents. Baby Boomers and Gen X saw Las Vegas as a rite of passage, a must-visit place after adulthood. I’ve noticed younger travelers don’t feel the same pull — today, many aren’t visiting Sin City at all.

Key Points:

  • Rising prices and fees make Vegas feel poor value to Millennials and Gen Z.
  • Gambling has lost appeal as online casinos, sportsbooks, and streaming fill the gap.
  • Younger travelers prefer authentic, small-scale, shareable experiences over mega-resorts.
  • Trips are shifting to alternative cities and event-driven visits instead of casual Strip weekends.
  • Vegas must pivot toward affordability, unique experiences, tech-forward gaming, and wellness to win them back.

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It’s not just the issue of money that keeps travelers away; it’s the cultural shift between the younger and older generations and how they value entertainment, risk, and travel. If you are part of the gaming industry or someone who loves Vegas, it’s worth paying attention to the change.

Gen Z’s Las Vegas Problem: Trips Cost More

Vegas used to be a cheap escape — discount hotel rooms, free drinks just for sitting at a slot machine, and $9.99 buffets were part of the deal. Those days are gone. Now, room rates are higher than ever, and nearly every booking comes with a hefty resort fee tacked on. Add in parking fees, expensive shows, and overpriced basics — like $6 bottles of water — and it feels less like a getaway and more like a financial ambush. I’ve heard this complaint again and again from younger travelers who tell me Vegas simply doesn’t feel worth the money anymore.

Millennials and Gen Z notice these costs because they’re already under pressure from student loans, rising rent, and inflation. They’re used to budgeting carefully, and they don’t see value in paying top dollar for the same experience their parents got at half the price. If they’re dropping $400 or more on a single weekend, they want something that feels personal and memorable — not a cookie-cutter Strip experience with long lines and inflated prices.

Instead of splurging to say they went to Vegas, many younger travelers choose destinations where their money stretches further — cities with unique food scenes, music festivals, or boutique hotels that feel curated and special. Vegas has to work harder now to prove it’s worth the cost, and so far, it hasn’t convinced this crowd.

Gambling Isn’t the Draw It Once Was

The main issue behind the Las Vegas downturn in travel for the younger generations is that gambling just isn’t as appealing as it once was. Baby Boomers and Gen X grew up with the notion that casinos were glamorous and you dressed up to enjoy free drinks and a night of play. Millennials and Gen Z get the same high from sitting on the couch and scrolling through TikTok or visiting a local brewery for trivia.

Also, it’s important to note that online sweepstakes casinos, real money casinos, and sports betting apps have changed the game. Players don’t have to travel to Las Vegas to play slots or table games. They can do so from home without the added cost of travel, like overnight stays and food. This is beneficial for players, but it creates a significant economic downturn for the Las Vegas tourism industry.

Streaming has also altered the way younger generations perceive gambling. They want to watch others play and can live vicariously through them. YouTube, Twitch, and Kick are full of live streams and casino content that provide the same thrill as Las Vegas without leaving home.

Why Millennials’ Las Vegas Trips Are Fading

For younger travelers, the old slogan “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” doesn’t land anymore. Gen Z and Millennials are digital natives — they document everything and want experiences worth sharing, not ones that feel staged or generic. Vegas still leans hard into mega-resorts, giant nightclubs, and big-name residencies. While those attractions still draw crowds, they also bring long lines, pricey cover charges, and a sense of sameness that turns younger travelers off.

These generations crave authenticity and intimacy. They don’t just want to stand in a packed club with a thousand strangers — they want to sip cocktails in a hidden speakeasy, join a chef-led tasting event, or stumble into a pop-up art installation that feels like a discovery. Cities like Nashville, Austin, and Los Angeles are thriving partly because they deliver these small, shareable moments that make travelers feel like insiders.

Vegas, by comparison, can feel over-produced. The Strip is crowded, noisy, and expensive, and the experience is almost identical from one mega-resort to the next. Spending two hours in line to get into a nightclub with a $75 cover fee just isn’t appealing when other cities offer more unique, affordable, and Instagram-worthy options.

If Vegas wants to win younger visitors back, it needs to focus less on size and spectacle and more on creating memorable, personal experiences that don’t feel like tourist traps.

Experience Over Excess

For Millennials and Gen Z, the draw of Las Vegas, NV, isn’t the same as it was for their parents. These generations are focused on experiences that feel meaningful, memorable, and good for them — not just nights of hard partying and gambling. They’re booking adventure trips, wellness retreats, food tours, and cultural getaways where they come home with stories and a sense of connection, not just a hangover and an empty wallet.

Vegas has been working to catch up. Today, you’ll find luxury spas offering mindfulness programs, chef-driven restaurants that rival New York and LA, yoga classes overlooking the Strip, and even wellness-focused cocktail menus. These updates are a step in the right direction, but the city still struggles to shake its image as “Sin City,” a place built on excess and indulgence.

For younger travelers who came of age during the rise of wellness culture on Instagram and TikTok, excess isn’t a flex — it’s often a turnoff. The idea of staying out until 5 a.m., binge drinking, and blowing through hundreds of dollars at a craps table doesn’t align with their idea of a great weekend. They’d rather spend that money on a hot spring retreat, a hiking trip, or a once-in-a-lifetime food experience they can share with friends.

If Vegas wants to stay relevant, it needs to rebrand itself as a destination where travelers can balance excitement with self-care — a place to recharge, not just overindulge.

The Rise of Alternative Destinations

Today, there are far more travel destinations than there once were. Years ago, it was common to travel to Las Vegas for a weekend getaway or vacation. Now, tourists are hitting up major cities like Nashville, Miami, Austin, Scottsdale, and Sedona. Unique offerings entice younger travelers who want to explore something new, aside from the typical Las Vegas entertainment.

In the past, it was expected that a bride or groom-to-be would go to Las Vegas for their bachelor and bachelorette parties, but now those parties are happening everywhere. The trips to other locations are more affordable and considered ‘Instagrammable’.

Plus, there is also an increase in international travel. Millennials are known as being the ‘wanderlust generation,’ and Gen Z is starting to follow suit. Many would rather spend vacation time flying to Japan or Portugal instead of visiting Las Vegas.

Sports and Events are Taking Over

When Millennials and Gen Z do go to Vegas, it’s often for a specific event — not just to wander the Strip. Think F1 Grand Prix, NFL games at Allegiant Stadium, UFC fights, or massive music festivals like EDC.

These generations are more likely to book a trip around an anchor event. The casual “let’s just hit the Strip for the weekend” mindset is fading. Younger travelers want to plan their trip around experiences that are memorable, social, and shareable. It’s not enough to gamble or hit a buffet; they want a story to tell, a highlight reel for TikTok or Instagram.

So, is Las Vegas in trouble? Will the city struggle to generate tourism revenues as the younger generations want different types of entertainment?

Vegas has noticed this shift and is leaning into event-driven tourism. From limited-run shows and pop-up concerts to esports tournaments and celebrity-hosted parties, the city is creating anchor experiences that justify the trip and appeal to younger crowds. Sports and entertainment aren’t just optional add-ons anymore — they’re often the main reason Millennials and Gen Z are even booking flights to Nevada.

For Las Vegas to remain appealing to younger generations, the city will need to continue offering unique experiences, including sporting events, concerts, comedy shows, pop-ups, and other engaging activities.

Vegas Has a Branding Problem

For decades, Vegas sold itself with one of the most successful slogans in marketing history: “What happens here, stays here.” It was edgy. It promised freedom. But that message doesn’t land the same way with digital-native generations.

Gen Z lives online. They document everything. They want shareable moments, not secrets. Vegas has tried to pivot — now positioning itself as a hub for sports, concerts, and food — but it’s still playing catch-up with the way younger people consume experiences.

Marketing campaigns that once leaned on secrecy and excess now need to highlight authenticity, creativity, and interactivity. Younger visitors aren’t attracted to generic glamour; they’re looking for experiences that make them say, “This is mine, and I want to share it.”

The city needs a full branding overhaul, not just new slogans. That means promoting boutique events, pop-up culture, immersive art, local dining, and social-first experiences. It’s about selling the story of Vegas as a destination that fits their lifestyle, not just a playground for indulgence.

Without this shift, Las Vegas risks staying nostalgic for older generations while younger travelers move on to destinations that understand how they live, share, and spend.

What Vegas Could Do to Win Them Back

Las Vegas isn’t doomed — far from it. But it does need to evolve if it wants to be relevant to the next generation. Here’s what could help:

Affordable packages are critical

Las Vegas used to thrive on deals — cheap rooms, discounted buffets, and drink specials that made the trip feel like a bargain. Bringing these back, especially targeted toward Millennials and Gen Z, would make the city feel approachable again. Bundled packages that combine hotel stays with tickets to shows, sports events, or immersive experiences give younger visitors a sense of value while still letting them explore everything Vegas has to offer.

The deals need to be affordable and offer a variety of options to appeal to the younger crowd.

More unique experiences are key

Younger travelers crave shareable moments that feel personal. Pop-up events, immersive installations, boutique performances, and small-venue concerts can make the trip feel like something they can’t get anywhere else. These experiences don’t just keep visitors entertained — they create content for social media, which is a huge part of how younger generations define value.

Combining a social media-esque experience with events will grab the attention of a younger audience.

Tech-forward gaming also matters

Younger players are drawn to skill-based games, esports, interactive tables, and digital betting options that combine social elements with traditional casino play. Integrating leaderboards, mobile tie-ins, and live-streamed events can turn gambling into a social, interactive experience rather than a solitary activity.

Casinos can create new experiences with existing games or add newer, skill-based options to bring in the younger crowd. Millennials and Gen Z are not attracted to the classic casino games and crave something similar to video games, or at least a little skill involved.

Wellness integration is no longer optional

Travelers increasingly look for clean dining, fitness-focused amenities, and low- or no-alcohol nightlife alternatives. Poolside yoga, healthy meal options, and wellness retreats built into hotel packages give Vegas a new appeal. It positions the city not just as a place to indulge recklessly, but as a destination that can deliver both excitement and balance.

Vegas can reinvent itself — it’s done it before. But to win over Millennials and Gen Z, it has to offer more than the same old slot machines and overpriced cocktails. At Betting.us, we believe that means creating value-driven packages, authentic experiences, and modern gaming options that speak directly to how these generations travel today.

Final Take

The Vegas that Boomers fell in love with doesn’t fully exist anymore, and the Vegas that Millennials and Gen Z want hasn’t fully arrived yet. Until the city closes that gap — offering authentic, affordable, and social-first experiences — many will keep skipping the Strip in favor of other destinations. From my own perspective, the demand is still there, but Vegas has to meet these generations where they are if it wants to win them back.

Is Las Vegas in trouble financially? The numbers reflect the shift: casino revenue is strong thanks to older demographics and big events, but visitation patterns show fewer casual trips from younger travelers. The next few years will be crucial for Vegas to figure out how to stay relevant.

Because here’s the truth — the next generation does want entertainment, connection, and excitement. They don’t want to feel like they’re paying top dollar for someone else’s nostalgia trip.

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