Harrah's Entertainment, the world's largest casino operator, is unsure that Las Vegas is recovering from the slump that began with the financial crash of 2008.

This was the view expounded by the company’s CEO, Gary Loveman, recently at the Reuters Travel and Leisure Summit in New York.

Gambling revenue in Las Vegas has begun to stabilise, but room rates are still heavily discounted as casino operators compete to attract visitors. "We are the cheapest date in the world and that generates lots and lots of visitors," said Loveman.

"Las Vegas remains weak and will remain weak for the foreseeable future." He also said Las Vegas group business bookings for 2011 are "encouraging," but 2010 remains weak.