In today’s world, technology is ever changing our daily lives and the gaming industry is no exception. Thanks to technology, the modern gaming experience looks very different than it did even at the beginning of this century. From optimized games to personalized services, technology has transformed the way casinos operate and the offerings that exist today.
Looking to combine innovative technology with the thrill of gambling, either in a full-fledged casino or a smaller gaming venue, there are many advantages to leaning on the latest and greatest technology available.
Casino operators know that a player’s experience is about more than just playing. The atmosphere, live entertainment, and (especially) top-notch food and drinks help keep your clientele coming back, but there are also limitations that will ultimately determine the type of gaming that can be offering based on the geo-location of the property.
In this article, I’m going to explain the different types of regulated gaming in the U.S. and the technology that is used for each one of those. Of course, we are going to start by explaining the most famous form of gaming, which are the brick-and-mortar commercial casinos.
COMMERCIAL CASINOS
A commercial casino is usually licensed and regulated by the State to offer a variety of games, including slots, video poker and table games. These games are commonly called Class III, or Vegas-style. The results must be determined randomly spinning by virtual or physical wheels. Operators such as El Dorado, Boyd Gaming and MGM have properties that operate in multiple states under different gaming regulations.
The most popular form of gaming at a commercial casino are slot machines, which are nothing more than mechanical and electronic equipment that allow players to risk money for a random chance to win money based on a designed mathematical model. The complex software in these machines throw results at random, so it is impossible to create a method to beat them.
Several of these slot machines contain a functionality within known as “progressive,” which main attraction is that they can pay out large jackpots to players. Every time a player puts money into a progressive slot machine, more money is added to the final jackpot. Currently, the slot machines that are still in the market are the so-called digital screen slots, which replace the traditional spinning reels with a completely automated and digital display. There are also slot machines in which some physical reels are used in combination with digital reels, providing the players a classic but modern experience.
CASINO MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Most casinos also need to use casino management systems for several functions. Casinos use different methods to promote patron engagement by continuously adding new games, providing unique experiences, access to various payment methods, but above all, they develop bonuses and promotions that players cannot refuse. Many new players do not know exactly how to play slot machines or on which machines to try their luck.
The most attractive advantage for them when the house pays for their “slot training” is being able to play without using their own money. Bonuses and promotions within casinos are a marketing strategy to attract new players and help them to play consciously. There are different types of bonuses and promotions to captivate these players to win their first games without reaching out for their pockets.
Loyalty programs have existed at casinos and poker tables long before these were available online. These programs allow players to get money back in the form of gifts, bonuses and many other benefits that continually change as the years go by. The more play and the longer the players stay with the same casino, the bigger and better rewards, and benefits that the casino will be offering. This is the basic principle of Player Tracking Systems or loyalty programs, as they are commonly called. Nowadays, these programs are widely used as a form of advertising and as a marketing tool.
Player Tracking Systems are utilized by casino operators to create rewards programs for players who maintain loyalty to the casino by continually going back, therefore players will enroll to obtain a benefit from those. Rewards Programs within the system can be presented to players in many ways, such as VIP Programs, Loyalty Programs, VIP Rooms and so on. How each program works is up to the individual casinos and will depend on what is allowed in the jurisdiction if the casino market is regulated. The most typical form of operation is the one where the player simply collects points while playing casino games. These can then be exchanged for cash, bonuses, appliances and, sometimes, even vacations or luxury cars.
TABLE GAMES
Traditional table games are a very important part of commercial casinos. Here we will include the most popular ones, those that any casino in any region of the world would have, in addition to the famous slot machines and sports betting.
a) Roulette: American or European style are the most widely known. It is the most famous table game around the world. Its dynamics are quite simple to understand, and it does not require an expert in strategic complexity to play. The mission is easy: the player who participates must bet on one of the numbers on the wheel. If the ball lands on said number, the player wins.
b) Card Games: Blackjack and Poker (in all its variations) are probably the most known card games. 21 or simply Blackjack is characterized by being one of the most popular games due to its reputation, the special touch that increases its value among the most frequent players. Despite being a game of chance, strategy is necessary to consider when it is appropriate to ask for an extra card, withdraw, raise bets, or go all out against the dealer and the other players participating. But it is almost impossible not to think about Poker when the word ‘casino’ comes to mind. The objective of the game is to achieve a strategy that allows the best combination of cards to win the total sum of all the bets made in the center of the table, in addition to getting the other players to withdraw from the game. Perhaps poker is the game that requires the most experience, so, before starting to delve into it, it is highly recommended to play the free versions or friendly games to learn to become familiar with the dynamics of each game.
c) Dice Games: Very exciting for many, Craps is the most known variety of dice games. This game basically consists of betting against the casino (or by the way: the house) on what the dice result will be before rolling them. Also, several betting strategies apply to this game, but most versions are simple and fun.
d) Electronic Table Games (ETGs): These are electronic versions of traditional table games. They are, practically, slot machines where players are offered games like Blackjack, Sic-Bo, Three Card Poker, Craps or Roulette. As a replacement for traditional hardware equipment to determine the outcome of each game, ETGs are not different than slot machines, as they also use random number generators and are also subject to the same regulatory testing. However, some can also include Stadium Game setups that combine the speed and ease of use of slot machines with live dealers. These are called ‘Hybrid Table Game systems.’
The benefits for the players and the reason why this technology has become a big solution since the COVID-19 pandemic hit is mainly the fact that the systems are fully electronic, modular, and easily accommodated social distancing requirements in casinos. ETG games run faster and more efficiently, as computers handle all the wagers, ensuring higher accuracy and less human contact, even when set up with live dealers.
The cash-out process works just like it does in a slot machine, offering players a redeemable voucher when they hit a button, rather than chips. This environment offers players an enhanced feeling of privacy and security over traditional games, while being less intimidating and completely user-friendly. These ETG systems also allow players to bet on the outcome of more than one game at the same time, while using the same game terminal and bet limits are lower for many of the games, making them more accessible. That accessibility and convenience is the true allure of ETGs from a gambler’s perspective.
Overall, ETGs have created a win-win scenario for players and casinos as they combine the gameplay of traditional table games inside the casinos while using some of the latest regulated technology ensuring safety.
e) Traditional Bingo: Bingo is a game of chance that consists of a drum with a certain quantity of numbered balls inside. Players play with cards with random numbers written on them, within the corresponding range. An announcer takes balls out of the drum, communicating the numbers out loud. If a player has said number on their card, they cross it out, and the game continues like this until someone manages to mark all the numbers on their card.
In the game of bingo, some essential elements are needed, such as a drum, balls or number balls, bingo cards, and a table space. The ease with which a bingo game can be organized is one of the factors that has motivated the spread of this gambling entertainment. The drums, balls and cards all have their respective technical requirements to ensure the integrity and the fairness of the game.
In today’s modern world, casino bingo halls have very innovative bingo systems that provide players with personal tablets that have several bingo cards loaded, and offer the players a stress-free experience as the cards are monitored electronically through the system and the player is only required to announce “Bingo” if the machine registers a winning combination.
A FEW FACTS ABOUT COMMERCIAL CASINOS
The number of commercial casinos in the United States fluctuated from 2005 to 2022. In 2022, there were 468 commercial casinos operating in the country. This shows a slight increase from the previous year’s total of 466.
The annual consumer spending on commercial casino gaming in the United States experienced an increasing trend from 2016 to 2022. In 2022, consumers spent approximately USD 60.46 billion on U.S. commercial casino gaming.
The national tax revenue from commercial casinos in the United States was highest in Pennsylvania, New York, and Nevada in 2022. Tax revenue of commercial casinos in the state of Nevada amounted to approximately USD 1.15 billion that year.
In the second part of this three-part article, we will provide some details regarding the environment offered and the technology permitted in many of the adjacent markets in the U.S. that support Tribal Gaming, Video Lottery Terminals, Central Determination, and Historical Horse Racing.