Downtown Las Vegas casino owner Derek Stevens shares that an innovative eight‑month experiment aimed at assisting Canadian travelers with the exchange rate brought unexpected success to Fremont Street.
The promotional campaign, “Vegas At Par,” ran from late January to August 31 at Stevens’ three properties: Circa Resort & Casino, the D Las Vegas, and the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino. The deal treated $1 CAD as $1 USD for hotel stays, gaming, and select beverage offers, eliminating the usual 72–73‑cent conversion that often deters Canadian tourism.
Vegas at Par(ty)
In a social media video on August 31, Stevens mentioned that the campaign attracted 120,000 Canadian guests, marking an 80% increase from 2025 levels, and resulted in 8,000 room nights.
“There were many lively nights on Fremont Street where it seemed like it was completely dominated by Canadians, and we enjoyed every moment of it,” he stated.
The financial impact was significant as well. Stevens reported that “Vegas at Par” generated over $20 million in slot play. The offer also featured up to CAD 500 in slot promotional play at full U.S. value and special pricing at BarCanada, Overhang, and Bar Prohibition!, offering a comprehensive package beyond just a standard hotel discount.
Cultural Exchange Machine
The campaign also fostered a cultural exchange. BarCanada hosted a free open‑bar watch party for the Canada vs. Morocco soccer match, Canadian rock band Finger Eleven performed as part of the Downtown Rocks Summer Concert Series, and Canadian DJ Excision headlined two nights at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center— with Canadian fans having the opportunity to purchase tickets at the At Par rate.
Stevens also incorporated his own ties to Ontario by introducing sauces from Tunnel B‑B‑Q and Valerie’s Original Flavours to Circa’s Project BBQ for an exclusive tasting.
In his video, Stevens expressed gratitude to Canadian guests and emphasized the enduring friendship between Canada and America despite cross‑border tensions.
“Canada and America, we are still best friends, we are still best allies,” he affirmed. “And this dispute between our leaders, it’s not permanent. I want you to know you’ve got friends in the desert here.”