Gambling In Las Vegas Expected To See Big Increase Thanks To McGregor-Mayweather Boxing MatchSports Books And Gaming Floors Likely To Enjoy Benefits Of Match |
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Nevada sports books are expected to have a huge August thanks to the superfight between boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and MMA star Conor McGregor, but all the casino games could see increased betting volume thanks to the influx of people coming into town for the match.
“I would expect gaming activity to increase due to the fight,” said Michael Lawton, Senior Research Analyst for the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
“I can look back at the last major fight we had in May 2015 between Mayweather and [Manny] Paquiao. The baccarat and non-baccarat numbers were very strong, as well as slots. The state did a billion dollars in win that month, which is a bellwether for us. I would anticipate we could see similar type of activity.”
In May 2015, the amount bet on non-machine games on or around the Las Vegas Strip was $2.57 billion, up nearly 10 percent from the $2.34 billion bet in May 2014. In May 2016, the betting volume was $2 billion. The $2.57 billion was also about 15 percent more than what was gambled in the Strip area in May 2006 and May 2007, the peak years for Nevada’s gaming industry in terms of casino win.
Mayweather and Pacquiao fought on May 2, 2015 at MGM Grand. Mayweather vs. McGregor will take place Aug. 26 at the larger T-Mobile Arena.
Obviously the sports books are the biggest winners from the fights. In May 2014, Strip area sports books saw $124.5 million bet on sports, and the following May $171.3 million was bet, an increase of 37.5 percent.
However, as ESPN noted, the fact that Mayweather is considered a huge favorite over McGregor, who has never competed professionally in boxing, could keep many sports bettors away. Reports say that the biggest bets in terms of dollar amount have been on Mayweather, while McGregor leads in the quantity of unique bets placed. Mayweather opened as a 25-1 favorite.
A total of 3.74 million people visited Las Vegas in May 2015, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. That was a record at the time and 4.8 percent better than May 2014. Last May, 3.59 million people visited Las Vegas, a 3.9 percent decline.
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