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September 16, 2025

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Survey Of Leading Gaming Operating Executives Gives Glimpse Into Future Of Casino Industry
Casino Design, Gaming Floor will Dramatically Change in Next 10 Years

LAS VEGAS—Resort-style casinos represent the future of the nation’s gaming communities, even as Las Vegas - where destination-type resorts have proliferated over the past 20 years - turns to smaller operations, according to the results of a new survey of leading gaming industry operations executives.

The survey results, released today at Global Gaming Expo (G2E), represent the debut of the G2E Future Watch Series, an original research series that will be released annually in conjunction with G2E.  For the inaugural year of the series, some of the industry’s leading gaming operations executives - ranging from directors of slot operations to general managers to senior vice presidents of gaming operations - were asked to predict how the casino of the future might look. 

A significant majority - 62 percent - of those surveyed said the casino design differences between Las Vegas and other gaming markets will become more similar in the future. 

Despite these national trends, the executives surveyed predict the opposite in Las Vegas.  Sixty-two percent also say there is a brighter future in Las Vegas for smaller operations, such as The Palms, than for the mega-resorts that served as the gold standard during the 1990s.

“G2E has always showcased the best of what’s happening now in gaming,” said Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., president and CEO of the AGA.  “The new Future Watch series adds a whole new dimension to the show, providing a glimpse through the looking glass into the future of our industry.  The executives involved in this survey have their fingers on the pulse of gaming technology and innovations, and their predictions for our industry give us a unique look at tomorrow, today.” 

In addition to changes in casino designs, executives surveyed also predict a dramatically different casino floor in the future, featuring technological advances that are only just beginning to be featured in many gaming machines. 

Specifically, every person surveyed predicted that 75 percent or more of all casino gaming activities will be converted to cashless technology within 10 years.  Seventy-seven percent of executives say automation and technology will cause the casino floor of 2020 to look quite a bit or totally different than the casino floor of today.  Examples of predicted innovations include the dominance of SmartCard technology and flat screens that have the ability to offer access to any game offered in a particular casino.

Participating executives also postulated on future technology innovations in casino games.  A large majority - 85 percent - of those surveyed said it is either somewhat or very likely that home video game manufacturers, who have traditionally operated only in the PC- or TV-based market, will soon enter the casino games arena.  Seventy-eight percent predict that there will be a significant market within the next 10 years for games featuring virtual reality or holographic technology.

To supplement the findings of the G2E Future Watch Series, the same survey will be conducted on-site throughout G2E for feedback from show attendees.  Once the show floor opens at 1 p.m., attendees will be able to complete the questionnaire online at either the AGA booth in the main lobby, in the Cyber Café on the show floor, or by remotely accessing a link on the show’s Web site at www.globalgamingexpo.com.  Complete survey findings, incorporating the results of the on-site survey, will be issued in a final report made available to all show attendees, survey respondents and members of the media following the show.

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G2E is the international gaming trade show and conference “by the industry and for the industry.” Organized by the American Gaming Association (AGA) and Reed Exhibitions, G2E made its debut in fall 2001, defining itself as the pre-eminent show for the gaming-entertainment industry. 

The AGA represents the commercial casino-entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues.  The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.

Reed Exhibitions is a world leader in creating high profile, targeted industry events where buyers and suppliers come together to do business.  Every year, Reed events bring together some 160,000 suppliers and over nine million buyers from around the world.  Today, Reed events are held in 35 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia/Pacific, and are organized by 30 fully staffed offices.  Reed’s portfolio of 470 events services 49 industries in 12 key sectors.

For more information about G2E 2003 or to register and enjoy discounts to the Show and Conference, visit www.globalgamingexpo.com.

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