Visitors are spending less in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A report finds that Las Vegas visitors spent an average of more than $50 less on gambling in 2009 than the year before.

A Las Vegas Visitor Profile released by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority found the average gambler budgeted about $481 per trip last year.

That compares with almost $532 in 2008, more than $555 in 2007 and nearly $652 in 2006.

The study found hotel spending per night was down 25% in 2009, to about $76; the average cost of a tour package was down 14%, to about $640; and the total spent on restaurants was down 8%, to about $250.

Spending on shopping was down 16%, to about $102. Visitors spent an average of about $40 on shows, down 23%.