The future will bring changes to the casino experience. This isn’t surprising, given that casinos are perpetually changing. However, recent closures could accelerate technological advancements at an unprecedented rate.
Casino gaming manufacturers consistently provide new technology for purchase. However, casinos generally lag behind in adopting the latest technology trends. For instance, new casino games are frequently trialed on the gaming floor, but only a handful of these games are truly innovative. The introduction of new technology on the casino floor is a separate matter.
Some guests may be interested in experiencing the most recent technological enhancements. However, certain available technology might be somewhat advanced for other casino visitors. Therefore, casino operators must strike a balance between what suits all guests and what appeals to those accustomed to cutting-edge innovations.
The closure of casinos to help curb the spread of coronavirus could potentially serve as the impetus for them to expedite the adoption of new technology.
Reserving space at a Las Vegas table game
Casinos nationwide are introducing new technology to speed up visits. The system for reserving a poker room seat, which has been available for years, lets players add their names to a waiting list for a poker table seat using online and mobile technology. Now, at least one Nevada casino is rolling out this system for table games.
Sahara Las Vegas is introducing a new service that lets players reserve a table game before their visit. This innovative technology enables players to enter the casino and immediately sit at their reserved table. The service aims to assist small groups of players who are traveling together, allowing them to coordinate and play at the same live game.
Sahara’s new service is designed to prevent groups of guests from aimlessly walking around the casino floor in search of a game. By reducing the number of people wandering around, the service aims to minimize the spread of germs emanating from guests’ mouths across the gaming floor.
Here, guests can reserve spots at table games.
Touchless loyalty cards
In 2017, Station Casinos implemented IGT’s Cardless Connect at its properties, allowing video poker and slot machine players to earn points without using a physical casino loyalty club card.
Station Casinos properties offer Cardless Connect, which enables guests to link their Boarding Pass players club to their preferred gaming machine using their mobile phone. All guests need to do is input their players’ club details into the Station Casinos app on their mobile device.
The player can activate a machine simply by waving their phone in front of the card reader, eliminating the need to insert money. They will still accrue gameplay points as they would normally do by inserting a card into the machine.
The technology, initially introduced as a convenience for players, has gained renewed attention from casinos as players seek to reduce their frequency of touching surfaces while at the casino. IGT, which initially launched this technology as Cardless Connect, has since rebranded the touchless solution. Now, under the name IGT Advantage, it offers a range of touchless services.
Unified wallets could be the next big step in gaming
The concept of the unified wallet, pitched to casinos and gaming regulators by various gaming manufacturers over the years, isn’t exactly a “new” technology for casinos.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that two Las Vegas casinos initiated a field trial for Everi’s CashClub wallet prior to the enforced closure of casinos to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
This cashless technology enables players to play video poker and slot machines without the need for physical money. It operates by connecting a player’s financial details from an app on their phone to a kiosk. The kiosk then prints a ticket, which can be used to play machine games.
Scientific Games features a similar unified wallet within its contactless gaming solutions.
Almost all major gaming manufacturers offer some type of cashless gaming solution for casinos. An increasing number of businesses are beginning to provide cashless services. Anticipate seeing this in casinos in the near future.
Going touchless off the casino floor
MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment are promoting touchless hotel check-in at their Las Vegas resorts upon reopening. With the help of mobile apps, guests can now check into their hotel room and use their mobile phone as a key.
Guests can either check into a room at the front desk or use kiosks for check-in and key printing, provided they are comfortable touching a surface.
Casinos are also limiting the number of people congregating in confined spaces while waiting for restaurants. Sahara, for instance, will no longer reuse buzzers but will instead notify guests through their mobile phones when their table is ready at its restaurants. This method helps reduce queues at the entrance of restaurants.
Sahara and various casino restaurants have also implemented the use of QR codes for food ordering. This eliminates another point of physical contact as it removes the need to physically handle a menu.
