Blackjack and other table game players won’t have to go to the ATM any longer if they need cash to play in Nevada and New Jersey, and it won’t be long until the technology spreads to other states.
The ground-breaking cashless system technology known as PlayOn from Automated Cashless Systems Inc. (ACS) has been in use in five Native American casinos in California for more than three years – and one in New Mexico.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board recently approved PlayOn use after ACS completed a field trial on two tables at Red Rock Casino Resort. More tables will be added in the coming weeks.
ACS is in talks to install the technology in other Stations Casinos as well as plans to launch its system in Atlantic Casino Resort in Reno in the coming weeks, and at Harrah’s Atlantic City in October. Company executives said they have verbal commitments to install the system from several major casino operators and are working through the implementation process. That includes properties in Northern Nevada, two on the Las Vegas Strip and one in downtown Las Vegas. Those are expected to be announced at a later date and be in place by the fall.
Nevada’s approval in essence allows table game players to use their debit card to buy chips just like they would use it for any other transaction inside a casino or hotel, according to Steve Warner, COO of the Reno-based company. That includes blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and other table games.
“People have thought about this for years,” Warner said. “I used to manage money for casinos, and we always had so much cash on property and thought why can’t we take the same solutions on the outside of the casino and put it in the four walls of the casino. This cashless gaming could be considered the new buzz that’s catering to the player. This is just another convenience for someone engaged at the table and hopefully the future at the slot machine or sports book or any other gaming aspect in the casino.”
The system uses a small handheld device positioned at the table that’s slightly larger than a smartphone, Warner said. Players are handed the mobile unit, and they use it just as they would similar devices at grocery store registers.
