For the past few years now, talk of digitizing the payment methods used at land-based casinos in the US has been a hot topic of debate. Players as well as operators want to see a digital option when it comes to gaming due to ease of use as well as convenience. With the recent onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the usage of digital methods has been brought up again and there are tools coming into to play to make it happen.
With the pandemic, consumers no longer want to handle cash. While they are still willing to get out and about, they do not want to touch money that has been touched by other people. With digital forms of payment, players could easily play games, buy food and drinks, without the need to handle cash. Everi Holdings has created a new digital wallet platform that is currently launched at the WinStar World Casino Resort in Oklahoma. This is a first look at how digital payments can work at a land-based casino.
Live at the WinStar
The WinStar World Casino Resort in Oklahoma is the first to use the new digital wallet platform created by Everi. With the platform, consumers can fund gaming in the casino and pay for amenities like food and drink with the wallet.
With the launch, Everi will be able to collect vast amounts of data and determine how the product is being used. The casino is located near Dallas and operated by the Chickasaw Nation. It is one of the largest in the world with over 8,000 slot machines and 100 table games. There are several restaurants and bars on site as well, all able to use the new wallet function.
A mobile application is used by patrons of the casino to deposit funds. The funds are placed in a digital wallet and can be used throughout the property. Players can use the funds at the casino or even off-site with a bank card or bank account.
The money in the wallet can be used directly at a game which provides a touchless solution for players. Once a patron decides to move to another game, they move money from the game to their digital wallet. The wallet can hold the money to be used in the future or the funds can be placed into the bank account of the customer.
Advocating for Change
Since last year, the American Gaming Association has been trying to see a digital payment solution or cashless option adopted by the industry. This type of payment method would modernize the industry and make it appeal to the younger demographic.
In Pennsylvania and Nevada, new rules were put into place to allow for digital payments to be made at casinos. Other states are expected to pass similar rules. While commercial casinos are just getting on board, tribal operators have already been using the technology. Casinos in Florida and California have utilized the technology to provide digital solutions for guests.
We expect further growth throughout casinos in the future regarding this payment method as more get on board with digital payment options.
