There are two prime discount months in Las Vegas: July and December. The combination of the intense summer heat and kids being home from school depresses visitation in July, while preparations for the holidays cause December to be slow. We conduct annual surveys in both months and publish the results in the LVA newsletter (click to read a sample issue.)
The absolutely least-expensive time -- good for you and bad for Mr Gaughan -- is, as he hinted at, the week or so before Christmas. There’s a five- to 10-day stretch (which varies from year to year, depending on the calendar), between the big National Finals Rodeo convocation and the Christmas rush, during which the casinos practically give away their rooms. Discounts and deals abound, and crowds are thin. (Even the traffic is lighter.) For example, last year 28 casinos had nightly stays for less than $30 in this period, including several on the Strip, and six had rates of under $20/night. This year's NFR ends December 15, so between then and Christmas is the time to score a bargain.
Note that a number of Las Vegas shows are dark during this period and that few, if any, special events take place. But if you simply want the best values, shortest lines, easiest bookings, and potentially better weather than the rest of the country, plan your trip for this period.
