Study finds Las Vegas visitors spent less in 2009

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Visitors to Las Vegas spent significantly less on gambling during 2009 than in previous years, according to a study released over the weekend by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

A person's average gaming budget per trip was $481.57, according to the Las Vegas Visitor Profile, down significantly from $531.98 a year ago. The study, done for more than 30 years that details certain visitor trends and behaviors, found the average visitor spent $555.64 on gambling in 2007, $651.94 in 2006 and $626.50 in 2005.

The percentage of Las Vegas visitors who said they gambled while in Las Vegas was 83 percent in 2009, down from 85 percent in 2008 and 84 percent in 2007.

The average expenditures by visitors per trip in all major categories declined during 2009, the study found.

Hotel spending per night was $75.78, down 25 percent, the average cost of a tour package was $640.29, down 14 percent and the total spent on restaurants was $250.32, down 8 percent.

Spending on shopping was $101.97, down 16 percent, and spending on shows was $39.87, down 23 percent.