Nevada Poker Report June 2017: WSOP Nearly Doubles Monthly Revenue
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From January to May, monthly poker revenue was between $8.4 million and $9.6 million statewide. That number shot up to $16.7 million in June. The reason poker revenue nearly doubled from May to June is the World Series of Poker.
Needless to say, June was a very good month for poker operators in Nevada.
Not surprisingly, the number of poker tables continued to increase in June. But because the Nevada Gaming Control Board counts them at the end of the month, the growth from May to June appears as a modest seven tables, rising from 724 to 731. This is mainly because card rooms had already added over 100 tables in May anticipating the influx of players for the WSOP, which got underway on May 31.
Top line numbers
Looking at the year-over-year numbers shows a decline in total rooms and tables, but an increase in revenue.
The NGCB counted 62 poker rooms and 731 tables in June 2017, compared to 65 poker rooms and 763 tables in June 2016.
Statewide poker revenue was $16,678,000 in June 2017. That represents a 3.35 percent year-over-year increase from June 2016 when the state’s poker rooms generated $16,137,000 in revenue.
Remarkably, Nevada poker rooms posted the YoY increase despite three fewer poker rooms and over 30 fewer tables compared to June 2016. Once again, even though there are fewer rooms and tables in Nevada compared to the previous year compared, poker revenue continues to rise.
June 2017 looks even better when examined on a per table average:
- June 2016 table average: $21,149,401
- June 2017 table average: $22,815,321
Poker rooms and tables trends in 2017
January 2017: 65 poker rooms and 596 poker tables
February 2017: 67 poker rooms and 600 poker tables
March 2017: 66 poker rooms and 596 poker tables
April 2017: 64 poker rooms and 586 poker tables
May 2017: 62 poker rooms and 724 poker tables
June 2017: 62 poker rooms and 731 poker tables
Poker in Clark County
The number of poker rooms in Clark County (which includes Las Vegas) tallied 38 with a total of 616 tables in June.
Revenue-wise, Clark County continues to account for over 90 percent of all poker revenue in Nevada. In June, the county’s haul was $15,858,000, which means the state’s 24 other poker rooms (with their 105 poker tables) tallied just $820,000.
To put that in perspective, on a per table basis, Clark County makes $25,748 per table. Poker rooms outside Clark County average just $7,809.
What really separates Clark County poker rooms from poker rooms in less populous areas is the size of the rooms. Clark County poker rooms average 16 poker tables, whereas rooms outside of Clark County average just over four poker tables.
Poker on the Las Vegas Strip
As strong as Clark County’s numbers are, it’s The Strip that’s the real money maker, particularly during the WSOP.
The Strip’s 18 poker rooms accounted for 415 of the state’s 616 tables, and $13,612,000 of the $16,678,000 the state generated. That works out to $32,800 per table.
Nevada poker rooms by the numbers
The largest poker rooms in Las Vegas remain unchanged, and as expected, the Strip dominates:
Venetian (The Strip) – 37 poker tables
Bellagio (The Strip) – 37 poker tables
Orleans (Las Vegas off-strip)- 35 poker tables
Wynn (The Strip) – 28 poker tables
Aria (The Strip) – 24 poker tables
South Point Casino (Henderson) – 22 poker tables
Green Valley Ranch Casino (Henderson) – 22 poker tables
Red Rock Casino (Summerlin) – 20 tables
Historical data and trends of poker in Nevada
Here’s a look at several key poker metrics from the UNLV Center for Gaming Research, which has been tracking the number of poker rooms, tables and revenue since 1992:
| Year | # of Rooms | # of Tables | Total Revenue | % Change YoY |
| 1992 | 92 | 564 | 74,701,000 | -2.57 |
| 1993 | 89 | 571 | 70,814,000 | -5.20 |
| 1994 | 93 | 586 | 71,667,000 | 1.20 |
| 1995 | 92 | 574 | 66,520,000 | -7.18 |
| 1996 | 82 | 539 | 64,485,000 | -3.06 |
| 1997 | 77 | 490 | 61,509,000 | -4.61 |
| 1998 | 76 | 526 | 58,873,000 | -4.29 |
| 1999 | 70 | 546 | 63,244,000 | 7.41 |
| 2000 | 68 | 473 | 63,064,000 | -0.28 |
| 2001 | 65 | 475 | 59,673,000 | -5.38 |
| 2002 | 57 | 386 | 57,791,000 | -3.15 |
| 2003 | 58 | 383 | 68,276,000 | 18.15 |
| 2004 | 79 | 484 | 98,862,000 | 44.80 |
| 2005 | 96 | 701 | 140,224,000 | 42.00 |
| 2006 | 106 | 886 | 160,929,000 | 14.77 |
| 2007 | 113 | 907 | 167,975,000 | 4.38 |
| 2008 | 113 | 913 | 155,724,000 | -7.29 |
| 2009 | 114 | 905 | 145,580,000 | -6.54 |
| 2010 | 109 | 920 | 135,200,000 | -7.13 |
| 2011 | 104 | 872 | 131,877,000 | -2.46 |
| 2012 | 99 | 809 | 123,253,000 | -6.54 |
| 2013 | 88 | 774 | 123,891,000 | 0.56 |
| 2014 | 79 | 736 | 119,904,000 | -3.18 |
| 2015 | 76 | 681 | 118,023,000 | -1.57 |
| 2016 | 73 | 661 | 117,753,000 | -0.18 |