It had to happen sometime. But it’s strange that Las Vegas Strip gambling revenues would lose momentum in a month (May) in which visitation to Sin City rose 1.5% from last year. 3.5 million people hit town, sending hotel occupancies to 84.5%, diluted somewhat by a 2% increase in hotel rooms since 2019. May was also good for conventions, which shot up 16%, bringing Las Vegas 453,900 conventioneers. 8% more people arrived or departed via plane while 2.5% more visited by car. And yet there was less gambling lucre for The Man when it was all said and done. Curious.

Our vacation has taken us to the wilds of Michigan, so today’s report will start there. Detroit‘s three casinos raked in $105 million last month, a 1.5% decline from May of last year. But it was a terrific month for Hollywood Detroit, which captured business from its competitors, up 7.5% to $23 million. MGM Grand Detroit ceded 1.5% but made $49 million, while MotorCity‘s $32 million represented a 7% shortfall. While Penn Entertainment‘s Greektown gain was not as spectacular as those of January and February (16% and 12% respectively) the comparisons have been strongly positive all year, signaling that Penn has turned the place around.