People have less disposable income right now for all forms of entertainment, including gambling. Plus most are in pretty remote locations, and the cost of gas is hurting them. Some are offering free gas or gambling credits to get people to come.
This leaves only the least desirable customers, the desperate losers, who come here on a bus, or crowded into old, unsafe autos, hoping to change their luck. We live on the street leading to the Casino and it is a daily parade of criminals into our otherwise lovely little valley.
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.