LAS VEGAS -- The key to reviving southern Nevada’s economy depends greatly on how much Americans are willing to spend.

That was the consensus Tuesday during a conference at UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research, where experts predicted a slow recovery to a slump that has left 112,700 people out of work in Clark County.

“Las Vegas is a destination resort,” said CBER Director Keith Schwer. “So the critical factor for our economy to recover quickly would be a global economic rebound and then the U.S. economy picking up.”

The bottom line: Americans aren’t yet ready to gamble on Las Vegas.

Even with the promise of new jobs thanks to resort expansion and construction, economists worry there won’t be a demand for the thousands of new rooms.

The CBER predicts resorts will combat that lack of interest with lower room rates and more incentives for guests, although it won’t be enough to improve revenue streams in the short term.

On the topic of housing, economists said another surge in foreclosures is likely, and the market is unlikely to recover until 2011.