Keep moving, nothing to see here. That’s the message from Big Gaming’s errand boy, Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman Kirk Hendrick. Of the Sept. 10 cyber-rape of MGM Resorts International, Hendrick loftily informed Nevadans that it was unlikely the NGCB would update them on the fallout from the MGM raid, nor one on Caesars Entertainment. Instead, the Board “is now acting in its capacity as an investigative and law enforcement agency to support the gaming industry and protect the state of Nevada and its citizens and visitors.” [emphasis added] Isn’t that sweet? “To support the gaming industry.” Note also how “visitors” are the lowest on Hendrick’s totem pole. Wasn’t the NGCB’s remit to oversee the gaming industry, not support it? As the late Art Marshall of the Nevada Gaming Commission once told us, “The Control Board dispenses justice, the Commission dispenses mercy.”

Self-righteousness, it has been said, is its own reward. It’s certainly all the consolation that gambling foes as ideologically varied as former Nebraska governor Pete Ricketts, billionaire Warren Buffett and Rep. Tom Osborne (R) have. After all, their prognostications of increased crime if the Cornhusker State legalized racinos have come to naught. This is a predictable dynamic. The anti’s are always predicting criminal gloom and doom around casinos and it rarely, if ever, comes to pass. For this we have to thank BIg Gaming, and its paranoid fear of its customers and employees. Gambling houses are hot zones of security cameras and Paul Blarts, intent on catching someone taking advantage of the house. It’s an effective deterrent to criminal activity, especially when augmented by the police prowl in the area.

August was an unremarkable month, in terms of percentage changes in Las Vegas‘ gambling scene. The Las Vegas Strip was a point up from last year (to $667 million), locals casinos a point down ($247.5 million). That being said, it was the biggest August that Sin City has ever seen. Strip slots won 3% more despite 1.5% less coin-in, while non-baccarat table games dipped 1.5% on 5.5% less wagering. The difference maker was baccarat, where the house played lucky. Win leapt 24% on 6.5% larger betting. Locals slot revenue slipped 3.5% on 3% less coin-in, while tables jumped 15% on marginally (-1.5%) lower wagering. Compared to 2019, the Strip vaulted 28% while the locals numbers were a 40% moonshot. Visitation to Vegas was up 4% to 3.3 million, if still 7% below 2019 numbers. Occupancy levels in hotels averaged 80% (90% on weekends, 77% midweek) but convention trade (647,000 souls) was booming, up 64% from the previous autumn. Another major differentiator was air traffic, up 4% from 2019, if flat from last year.