Vegas casinos launch “At Par” Canadian dollar deal to counter drop in visitors
Three Las Vegas casinos have begun treating the Canadian dollar at par with the U.S. dollar for select gaming, hotel, and beverage spending to attract Canadian visitors amid tourism declines.
Facing a significant drop in Canadian visitor numbers, several Las Vegas casinos have launched a novel incentive aimed at reigniting travel from Canada, a market that historically has been one of the city’s most valuable international sources of tourism revenue.
Starting this winter, Circa Resort & Casino, The D Las Vegas, and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, all downtown properties, are offering Canadian tourists a one-to-one exchange rate across select hotel, gaming, and beverage purchases through August 31, 2026.
How the ‘At Par’ Promotion Works
Under the promotion, Canadian visitors who present valid Canadian ID at participating properties will receive full U.S. dollar value for every Canadian dollar spent on qualifying charges, including:
- Hotel room rates at the three properties
- Up to 500 CAD in slot promotional play treated as equivalent to USD
- Drinks at beverage venues such as BarCanada, Overhang , and Bar Prohibition!
This means that a 200 USD room rate will cost a Canadian visitor 200 CAD, rather than a higher amount once typical market conversion is applied. The exchange rate has recently hovered around about 1 USD to 1.38 CAD, making standard travel costs noticeably more expensive for Canadians.
Casino owner Derek Stevens, who co-owns the three properties, explained that the initiative is designed to “remove unnecessary barriers” and make Canadians feel more welcome, noting his own personal ties to the country and its visitors.
Why This Matters for Las Vegas Tourism
Canadian tourism to Las Vegas has fallen sharply over the past year, with visitation declines contributing to broader concerns about international tourist demand.
Data from regional travel authorities showed that Canadian trips were down by roughly 20–24 % through parts of 2025, making Canada one of the hardest-hit source markets for Vegas tourism.
Because Canadian visitors tend to stay longer and spend more on entertainment, gaming, and hospitality than many domestic travelers, their absence has been noticeable for casino floors, hotel bookings, and related sectors.
The “At Par” program aims to reduce currency friction, one of the key barriers for northern travelers, by giving Canadians an immediate financial advantage that could translate into increased spending and longer stays.
Tourism officials have also been actively promoting Las Vegas in Canada, but this currency-focused incentive represents one of the most direct efforts casinos have taken to stimulate demand.
Casino Industry Reaction and Broader Context
The exchange-rate initiative reflects broader industry experimentation with marketing tactics as Las Vegas seeks to stabilize international tourism amid economic and geopolitical pressures.
Analysts have noted that while overall visitation has softened, targeted promotions like this one could help jump-start travel from key markets.
Experts say that the appeal of Vegas for Canadians has long been strong due to proximity, entertainment options, and gambling offerings, but exchange rates and travel sentiment have recently dampened bookings.
Making Canadian dollars easier to use, at face value, could help Las Vegas regain momentum in this important segment.
What’s Next
The “At Par” deal runs through late summer 2026, offering a window for casinos to assess whether the currency incentive leads to increased Canadian bookings and gaming revenue. If successful, similar programs could be extended or adapted by other operators as part of broader tourism recovery strategies.
Tourism officials and casino executives will be watching not only visitor numbers but also gaming floor activity and hotel occupancy trends from Canada to gauge the promotion’s impact.
For now, the initiative stands as a creative response to a persistent challenge: enticing foreign visitors back to Las Vegas by making the trip feel more financially accessible and rewarding even before the roulette wheel spins.
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