Summary
- Remote registration would cut down on long lines at resorts.
- The Nevada Gaming Commission will take up the recommendations in January.
- The cashless payment system would modernize the infrastructure within Nevada casinos.
On Thursday, the Nevada Gaming Control Board recommended that casinos in the state offer remote registration for cashless payment systems. This change would stop patrons from waiting in long lines to get started with gambling. If the change is approved by the Gaming Commission, it could be the first step in allowing remote sportsbooks registrations.
A thirty-minute workshop involving the board resulted in the recommendation the Commission set to cover the issue next month.
Sightline Payments Pushing for Change
The remote registration push is led by Sightline Payments, a company that already offers cashless payment options in Las Vegas. The company signed a partnership deal with Resorts World Las Vegas and launched its product in June. Players have to sign up to be able to use the cashless payment system and once the product launched, Sightline experienced long lines at the casino as players waited hours to sign up with an employee.
Sightline wants the remote signup option so players can just create an account themselves rather than wait hours to do so. With remote registration, patrons could sign up quickly and begin utilizing the payment system from the moment they set foot inside Resorts World.
The Control Board is fine with remote signups as long as the customer uses a valid government ID. Officials looked to the United States Treasury Department for guidance on the matter to ensure that registrations would be able to take place without any issue. The change to remote signups only covers the cashless option and does not include sports betting accounts or horse racing.
At Resorts World, customers can use the payment system to enjoy slots and table games, sports betting, dining, shopping, and entertainment without having to spend cash. The goal is to see this type of payment system launch across the state, giving players easier access to services without having to have cash on hand.
Modernizing the Payment System
The cashless payment option is a way to modernize the way patrons pay for entertainment in areas of Nevada like Las Vegas and Reno. For decades, casinos have relied on cash payments, particularly for gaming with slot machines and table games. However, today’s consumers are used to paying for products or services with a debit or credit card, even PayPal or crypto.
With the cashless payment system, the younger demographic may be more willing to enjoy Las Vegas and Reno gaming as they don’t have to worry about using cash or changing their payment habits. Proponents of the change feel that the cashless option helps the casinos in Nevada modernize their payment methods and will help to bring in the younger generations of bettors that are used to payment methods other than cash.
It will be interesting to see what the Gaming Commission rules in January. Will casinos be able to offer remote registration and use the cashless system?
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