Las Vegas Giants Believe an NBA Team Would Supercharge Tourism

Two of the largest casinos in Las Vegas see the addition of an NBA franchise to the city as excellent news for tourism and gaming.

During second-quarter earnings calls, leaders from Red Rock Resorts and Wynn Resorts took the opportunity to speak about the economic impact that sports franchises have had on Las Vegas, showing support for the city landing an NBA team.

Lorenzo Fertitta, vice chairman of Red Rock Resorts, argued that Las Vegas has evolved into a destination driven by major sporting events, concerts, and entertainment, attracting visitors who also stay, dine, and gamble at local resorts.

“We’ve had a lot of success partnering with the Golden Knights. The Raiders have been great as well, and we expect more of the same with the Athletics and potentially with an NBA franchise,” Fertitta said.

The Oakland Athletics are scheduled to relocate to Las Vegas in 2028, adding Major League Baseball to a city that already hosts the Las Vegas Raiders (NFL) and Vegas Golden Knights (NHL).

Fertitta said major sporting events generate increased hotel bookings, premium table game play, and stronger customer loyalty through casino rewards programs that include tickets to local games.

Wynn’s chief executive officer Craig Billings reiterated that, despite speculation, the company does not plan to build an NBA arena on its undeveloped Strip property. Nonetheless, Billings emphasized that an NBA team would still be beneficial for the resort.

According to the CEO, the Raiders currently generate some of the highest-value visitors because NFL games are concentrated on weekends, encouraging premium travelers to stay at luxury resorts.

“The NBA sits somewhere in between,” Billings said. “We would love to see an NBA franchise in Las Vegas.”

He added that Wynn already benefits from hosting league officials, visiting executives, and players connected with major sporting events.

Billings also commented on recent merger speculation involving Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International, saying investor interest reflects what he believes is an undervalued gaming industry rather than a fundamental shift in competition.