Power Hungry Casinos - How Much Electricity Do They Use?

Casinos Consume Enough Power to Light Up 1,500 Homes Daily

• Casinos use around 18,000 kWh a day which is enough to power 1,500 homes.
• The Las Vegas Strip consumes about 20% of the city's total electricity, equivalent to the daily consumption of around 320,000 homes.
• In Macau, casinos use around 15% of the city's electricity consumption, enough to power about 260,000 homes in a city of 680,000 people.

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Casinos all around the world are well known for the glitz, glamour, and flashing lights that draw in millions of players daily. Add to that hundreds of slot machines, a constant buzz of energy, and the crucial air conditioning in hot climates, and the result is an astronomical amount of energy being consumed 24/7. But just how much electricity do casinos consume? And what impact does this have on their operational costs and for the environment? CasinoTopsOnline has analysed data from major casino venues such as Las Vegas in Nevada and Macau in Hong Kong to find out.

Several factors contribute to the huge energy demand:

Las Vegas - An Iconic Gambling Destination

Some examples of Las Vegas landmarks that use a large amount of energy include:

●         The Luxor Beam, which costs around $51 per hour to operate and consumes 3,600 kWh a day, which is enough to power 300 homes.

●         The Bellagio Fountains, with an annual operating cost of $5 million, use an estimated 16 million kWh annually, which could power around 1,500 homes for a year.

●         The Fremont Street Experience, with around 12.5 million LED lights and a sound system that requires 550,000 watts of energy, uses about 13,200 kWh a day, enough to power over 1,100 homes daily.

Las Vegas Casino Energy Costs - Up to $100K Per Month

●         Electricity cost per kWh: $0.12 (the average in Nevada)

●         Daily consumption: 18,000 kWh, enough to power 1,500 homes.

●         Monthly cost: $64,800 to $100,000, depending on weather conditions and special events.

Macau: The Eastern Gambling Capital

Macau in Hong Kong, often referred to as the ‘Monte Carlo’ of the East, also uses a high level of energy from its casinos. On average, Macau’s casinos use over 1.5 billion kWh of electricity annually, about 15% of the city’s total consumption. This could power around 130,000 homes for a year. Macau’s largest casinos boast some of the world's most extravagant light displays. The Venetian Macau and City of Dreams for example, contribute significantly to the city’s energy consumption.

Online Casinos Cut Energy Use by 70-80%

Compared to traditional casinos like Las Vegas and Macau, online casinos operate with a fraction of the energy costs and are increasing in popularity. Without physical buildings to operate and the removal of lighting and air conditioning units, their energy consumption can be reduced by up to 70-80%, making them a much more sustainable alternative. For example, running an online casino server can require 40-50 kWh per day, which is comparable to the daily energy consumption of 4 homes.

Can Major Casinos Reduce Their Energy Consumption?

As major gambling hubs like Las Vegas and Macau continue to grow, inevitably, their electricity demands will too. This will have an impact on their operational costs and for the environment, as the high energy demand will significantly contribute to their overhead costs as well as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and increased strain on power grids. However, with solar power and energy-efficient technology on the rise, casinos could see an increase in the use of more sustainable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution. Solar power is a promising solution to reduce casinos' reliance on traditional power grids. For example, a commercial solar panel installation generates around 1,500 kWh per month, enough to power 50 homes. To power a large Las Vegas casino entirely, approximately 1,200 solar panels would be needed. MGM Resorts in Las Vegas recently launched a 100-megawatt solar array that supplies 90% of its Las Vegas properties, and as you can see from the figures below collected by SMART ENERGY DECISIONS they have made significant headway on their emissions-based goals.  They have already managed to reduce their energy consumption by a staggering 41% and by 2030 they hope to increase that number to 50%.

MGM Resorts has taken further steps to save energy by:

●         Replacing around 1.5 million lights with energy-efficient LEDs.

●         Integrating smart building controls to automate energy systems.

●         Conducting regular preventative maintenance and energy audits with energy analytics, fault detection, and diagnostics systems.

●         Implementing efficient HVAC systems, such as ventilation control and heat recovery measures.

With MGM Resorts setting a new standard for energy efficiency in the world of casinos, this will hopefully pave the way for other casinos to follow suit for a greener future.

I hope you found this information of use.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any further questions. 

Valli V.

Media Outreach Manager

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