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US Casinos Smoothly Switch To Non-Cash Payments

Article by : Helen Aug 31, 2020

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Updated: Apr 6, 2023

It seems that the coronavirus has had a very significant impact on the activities of gambling establishments. Due to the new restrictive measures, game operators have to do everything possible to ensure staff and visitors’ safety. One of the most effective steps to prevent the spread of Covid-19 is the use of cashless payment services.

Station Casinos became the first operator to use non-cash payments actively. Moreover, Everi Holdings has also announced that it plans to launch a new payment tool for conducting non-cash transactions by the end of 2020. Red Rock Resorts has confirmed that it will start using ACS PlayOn’s cashless tabletop games service at all Nevada based casinos no later than this week. Such a statement became possible after the company successfully tested the cashless payment service at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa at the end of 2019.

The advanced ACS PlayOn service is a real salvation for players who can now buy chips without paying in cash or withdrawing money from ATMs. Currently, this payment method is also actively used for settlement systems installed in slot machines and poker rooms. According to official information, Nevada’s authorities’ have already supported new rules designed to facilitate the procedure for crediting non-cash payments. This applies exclusively to companies that have official licenses to conduct a gambling business.

Such decisions became possible after the American Gaming Association made every effort to lobby for such changes. It was a logical step to allow casino guests to avoid contact with cash at a time of rising Covid-19 cases. It seems that the trend of the transition to cashless payments will sooner or later reach every gaming establishment located in Las Vegas.

Everi Holdings have already announced that they are planning to launch their own payment service called CashClub Wallet. This is nothing more than an advanced mobile application for cashless payments developed for the most popular operating systems. The gambling operator plans to integrate the service into its casinos located in the United States by the end of 2020.

Players using CashClub Wallet will conduct financial transactions in gambling establishments and withdraw funds using various payment tools. Casino customers will also be able to set their own spending limits. This function is handy as it can facilitate responsible gaming. In any case, the use of non-cash payments due to Covid-19 will benefit both visitors and the staff of gambling establishments. Casino employees also do not want to deal with cash to expose themselves to possible coronavirus infection.

Perhaps the next step in this direction will be the use of alternative financial instruments. The American casino industry is supporting the aspiration of gaming casinos to move towards cashless transactions gradually. This is a real chance to reduce the risk of Covid-19 disease and avoid the cash circulation between visitors and casino staff.

State governments have already received recommendations on integrating cashless payments for casino customers.

However, it is unlikely that it will be possible to implement this technology quickly. The point is that this will require specific changes not only for operators but also for equipment suppliers. Currently, only a small number of casinos have started using non-cash payment systems. This concerns financial transactions using online payments with debit or credit cards and apps such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal. In any case, the transition to cashless payments is an evolutionary step for casino operators.