Within the last few weeks, a long ago preplanned vacation in Palm Springs supports your contention. Visited three and found very few visitors and many machines not occupied. One casino had stands for new machines, but were not installed. Tables were very empty. (I go mainly for the buffets and little gambling) Gas was around $4.25 to $4.50. Traffic was extremely light, not like past years.
The same in Vegas. The manager of the slot attendants at our hotel said the air fare prices “... are killing us.” I booked our flights to Vegas in March at a great price before oil prices started rising. Less people are driving from LA to Vegas as well, I was told. Our economy is about energy.