Leaders from prominent casinos in downtown Las Vegas report solid business performance, showing cautious optimism for the future, despite the prevailing uncertainties surrounding evolving travel trends, an increasingly divided economy, and the area’s escalating costs.
During a forum held on Wednesday by the Downtown Vegas Alliance, executives from Plaza, Circa, El Cortez, and the Fremont Street Experience shared insights on downtown gaming patterns, visitor conduct, and economic challenges, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Cliff Atkinson, the recently appointed CEO of the Fremont Street Experience and a former President of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, recognized the challenges facing downtown Las Vegas amidst economic hurdles.
“However, I have faith in this city’s resilience. With upcoming developments in 2027 and 2028, we are transforming ourselves, which is what this city is renowned for,” he stated.
For much of 2025, headlines were dominated by decreased tourism and complaints about rising expenses, particularly on the Strip. Joe Woody, Chair of the Downtown Vegas Alliance and CFO of El Cortez, asserted that the objective of the event was to counteract such narratives.
“There’s a plethora of social media and news outlets that we believe were overemphasizing the issues of rising prices and general affordability in Las Vegas, and we found this portrayal undesirable,” he explained.
Jonathan Jossel, CEO of Plaza, warned that significant post-pandemic increases might skew the perception of ongoing trends: “Many casino operators are challenged when comparing figures from 2022 and 2023, reflecting record growth. Making comparisons is cumbersome.”
“There’s a saying: trees don’t grow to the sky,” he continued. “While conditions may not be as favorable as they were 12 to 24 months ago, they still remain quite strong.”
He underscored that overall visitor numbers and gaming expenditures continue to be healthy, mirroring assertions from larger Strip operators about the vitality of the Las Vegas market.
Jeff Victor, Vice President of Operations for Circa Hospitality Group, which manages Circa, The D, and Golden Gate casinos downtown, pointed out the impacts of the city’s emerging “K-shaped economy”—where affluent visitors flourish while lower-income visitors face financial strain.
“We’ve noticed this over several years, observing how the wealthy are growing wealthier while the less privileged are facing greater challenges,” he remarked. “Circa has performed admirably. The wealthy clientele is not as affected, unlike those struggling beneath the 9 percent income threshold. The D and Golden Gate, however, have experienced notable downturns.
Woody described the past six months at El Cortez as “remarkable,” attributing this success to a $20 million expansion and renovation. He mentioned the establishment is attracting both loyal patrons and new, higher-end visitors from the Strip and other locations.
Executives attributed downtown’s lasting appeal to its diverse offerings, which include lower minimum bets, minimized walking distances, and more intimate interactions with staff.
“One of the frequent sentiments I hear about downtown is the strong relationships people feel they have built here,” Jossel stated. “Whether it’s connecting with Kenny [Epstein at El Cortez] or Derek [Stevens at Circa], individuals enjoy coming downtown to connect with the people and foster relationships.”
Jossel emphasized that downtown casinos can “provide a more meaningful level of service” compared to many Strip resorts, enabling a repeatable and personalized experience for guests.
Despite the prevailing economic uncertainties and tourism struggles, the panelists expressed confidence in downtown’s fortitude. Atkinson reiterated that the area provides an irreplaceable sense of authenticity. “It offers a genuine experience,” he remarked. “The history of downtown Las Vegas is something that cannot be replicated.”