Gambling in the USA

Innovation is Making Waves in the Gambling Industry

Published

6 years ago

April 15, 2019

Photo Source: wsj.com

As the gambling industry continues its unprecedent expansion throughout the world, the competition among gambling operators is becoming fierce. That applies to both online and land-based operations. As competition increases, gambling operators are looking for ways to protect the bottom line. If a casino operation is struggling to increase revenues, it has to consider lowering its overhead for survival.

Last week, MGM Resorts announced it was looking at the possibility of eliminating jobs through the use of new automated technologies. The new 2020 plan would seem to be in response to the company’s stock taking a significant hit in 2018 when the company saw its shares plunged from $34 to $25, a 26 percent decline, in spite of a nice spike in revenues.

The decrease shook investors who believe the gambling industry is poised for growth as country after country has been passing the needed legislation to legalize certain forms of gambling.

Stock price rising
The stock has ticked up in recent weeks due in large part to the company announcing strong Q4 revenues totaling $3.052 billion, topping the forecast from analysts of about $2.98 billion. Full-year revenue totaled $11.76 billion with the company’s two Macau resorts being responsible for $3.2 billion.

Still, MGM Resorts has a responsibility to its stockholders to create value. If rising revenues aren’t enough to get the job done, the company has to look at lowering costs. Automation of certain positions could certainly help. Among the possibilities is using automation to fill drinks orders going to customers on the casino floor.

These drinks are usually prepared by “back of house” bartenders who do not interact with the public. Preprogramed automated machines have the ability to prepare drinks to order for waiters and waitresses. There’s also new technologies that allows patrons to pay at the table instead of a cashier. All told, MGM’s initiative is to eliminate 2,100 jobs by the end of the year 2020.

In Las Vegas, the MGM will have to work around the powerful Culinary Union to get approval for such changes due to union contract obligations. The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 represent 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno.

Gambling Growing Online and Offline
The announce certainly got the attention of union representatives. According to Culinary Union Secretary Geoconda Argüello-Kline, “Contracts have innovative automation and technology language, which set clear goals for worker retention, job training, advance notice of implementation, and severance package based on years of service if workers are laid off.” She added that the union “will be monitoring the situation closely … to ensure that the company follows the contract.”
Additionally, MGM’s proposal is receiving less than optimum support from investors. According to Union Gaming analyst John DeCree, “We found very few investors giving credit to the MGM 2020 initiative, and many questions were asked about timing and examples of cost saves.”

These kinds of changes are not likely confined to the US or land-based casinos. Certain innovations could affect online operations, like the ones found here at casinomir.com/gambling-sites, and land-based casinos all over the world. Online gambling sites are getting more and more popular for every year.

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All gambling operators are in a battle for customers. At the same time, profitability is still the number one concern. As the gambling industry exposes itself to new technology and innovations, jobs are going to be put at risk.

Compliance Updates

Arizona Department of Gaming Releases October Sports Betting Figures

Published

1 week ago

January 9, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

Bettors in Arizona wagered approximately $791 million on sports in October of 2024, according to a new report by the Arizona Department of Gaming. This represents an approximate 22% increase when compared to October of 2023.

The state collected approximately $2.35 million in privilege fees in the month.

Gambling in the USA

Neosurf & Betting Hero to reveal results of their in-depth study into US online gambling and payment habits in exclusive two-part webinar series

Published

1 week ago

January 9, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

Neosurf, the globally trusted provider of swift and secure cash-to-digital payment solutions, has announced it will be sharing the findings of a recent study into the online betting habits, preferences and frustrations of US players in an exclusive two-part webinar series beginning on January 14^th.

Neosurf commissioned the research via Betting Hero – a leading US-based iGaming portal with expertise in casino, sports betting and DFS. The webinars will see Neosurf CEO Americas, Sue Page, Betting Hero’s Co-Founder and President, Jai Maw, and Senior Director of Product and Research, Ernie Ropas, dive into the report’s key findings and discuss what some of the more surprising results could mean for operators.

The survey, which featured respondents from New Jersey, Colorado and North Carolina, aimed to help operators and regulators within the gambling industry better understand the typical US bettor – how and why they bet, what tools they use to manage their budget and what Responsible Gaming means to them. The findings will be revealed in the webinars and used to identify areas where Neosurf’s products can help operators provide a better user experience.

The research highlighted several aspects of payments and responsible gaming that bettors felt could be improved. Problems with payments remain an issue – 52% of respondents said that they’d experienced payment issues in the past year, and with over 50% depositing and withdrawing multiple times each month, there is a significant cost impact to the operators.

Additionally, respondents indicated they’d be in favour of using a service that could share pre-verified ID information with operators, with ease of use for new payment methods and seamless integration across multiple platforms identified as important factors in their choosing and remaining loyal to a single sports betting platform.

Sue Page, Neosurf CEO Americas, said: “It was important to us to gain a more detailed insight into the US sports bettor. We wanted to talk to the players and ask questions that no one else is asking, and through our collaboration with Betting Hero I’m delighted that we now have a comprehensive piece of research.

“Offering valuable insights into player habits – how and why they bet, the ongoing pain points they’re experiencing with payments and their thoughts on Responsible Gaming—we’ll be taking a deep dive into the results of the survey in our two-part webinar series starting at 10:00 ET on January 14^th, and we encourage all US-focused operators and regulators to join us.”

Gambling in the USA

Saracen Casino Resort Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions

Published

1 week ago

January 9, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

Saracen Casino Resort has selected Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Chatalytics, an integrated AI-driven suite, to revolutionize its casino operations and elevate guest experiences. The QCI Chatalytics solution, which includes Slot Copilot, Player Copilot, Dashboard, and the Robot Button, leverages OpenAI integration to provide real-time insights and streamlined decision-making across the casino floor.

QCI Chatalytics offers a powerful blend of AI-powered tools designed to optimize both player and slot management. With Slot Copilot, operators gain enhanced capabilities for real-time slot performance monitoring, predictive analytics, and dynamic task assignment. Player Copilot delivers personalized player engagement by analyzing customer data to inform service decisions and reward recommendations. The Dashboard component offers an intuitive, real-time display of key metrics, enabling data-driven insights at a glance. Additionally, the innovative Robot Button automates routine processes, allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks and improve overall efficiency.

Clayton Mason, Senior Director of Marketing of Saracen Casino Resort, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Integrating QCI Chatalytics into our operations marks a significant step in our strategy to harness the power of AI. With advanced tools like the Robot button, Slot Copilot and Player Copilot, we can deliver a more tailored and efficient experience for our guests while gaining deeper insights into our gaming operations.”

Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, shared his vision for the collaboration: “We’re excited to bring the capabilities of QCI Chatalytics to Saracen Casino Resort. By integrating OpenAI technology, our solution provides unprecedented levels of automation and insight. We believe Chatalytics will play a crucial role in optimizing floor operations and enhancing guest satisfaction through real-time, data-driven decision-making.”

The QCI Chatalytics platform is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s commitment to driving innovation in the gaming industry, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions to streamline operations and enhance the player experience.