A study conducted by the Institute of Gaming, Hospitality & Tourism at Stockton University has found that millennials aren’t particularly interested in going to casinos, as they would rather spend their time and money on going out. This, alongside other factors, are what pushed casinos to reimagine their games and how they approach the industry in general. Read on to find out more about the factors that have caused these changes and how brick and mortar casinos have pivoted in order to tap into the millennial market.
eSports
Whilst online gaming has seemingly become a major threat to bricks and mortar casinos, the rise of eSports has presented a challenge as well as an opportunity.
An article by Exhibition World explains how a new venue dedicated to eSports recently opened in Las Vegas and whilst that delivers a challenge to established casinos, it also brings an opportunity for them to get on board quickly.
The rise of eSports has been phenomenal over the last few years, with tournaments attracting huge prize funds. The International is the premier Dota 2 tournament and took place this year in Shanghai’s Mercedes-Benz Arena with a prize pool reaching $25m. The eSports League for battle arena game League of Legends is also a lucrative competition; their 2019 tournament had a prize pool of $2.25m. Bwin Sports lists Cloud Nine amongst the favorites for the LCS Spring tournament as they go into their clashes with Fly Quest and Dignitas on the back of an 11-game unbeaten run, proving they’ve got the experience of dealing with such high-pressure situations.
With eSports hosting bigger tournaments year on year, Las Vegas’ brick and mortar casinos seem the perfect venue to add glitz and glamour to the genre. Casinos are going to have to catch on to this possibility if they’re to stay one step ahead in the coming years.
Video Games in Casinos
Research by Yahoo shows that millennials, on average, spend around $112 a month on gaming content. This includes console games, mobile games, and online games. That’s a pretty significant amount of money, and casinos are beginning to take notice.
One thing that had to change was the games. Gamblit Gaming, a casino eSports startup, specializes in turning well-known video games into casino games. Having debuted at this year’s Global Gaming Expo, Gambling Gaming has turned arcade classics like Pac-Man into a skill-based gambling game. The reasoning behind this is simple – the best way to tap into the millennial market is through games that they enjoy and recognize.
The popularity of shooting games such as Overwatch, whose sequel Overwatch 2 was just recently announced at Blizz Con 2020, has also spilled over to the gaming world. Casinos have begun to implement shooter type games, with favorites like Into the Dead making their way to the casino floor.
These factors really drive home the fact that the casino industry is truly beginning to change. Don’t be surprised if this becomes the new normal, as the industry continues to transition into this new stage.
Future of Casinos
Though this shift may be polarizing for those who believe that casinos are purely for traditional games such as slots and classic table games, casinos must adapt to survive. They should be able to offer an experience that can’t be simulated online. To do this, they have to get people on the casino floor, as the industry’s biggest strength is the sense of thrill and glamour that players experience when stepping through the doors of a brick and mortar casino.
