The Casino Business Podcast

Imagine inventing something that shapes the future of an ENTIRE industry. Craig Shacklett, URComped CEO, interviews AGA’s Gaming Hall of Famer, John Acres, Founder of Acres, to explore his remarkable journey in the casino industry. John began his groundbreaking career in the 70s and has since become a major innovator, holding over 250 patents. He founded multiple successful companies, including Acres Gaming, which was acquired for $143 million by IGT. Through this discussion, Shacklett and Acres delve into the Acres’ fascinating experiences and his game-changing inventions that shaped the casino industry into what it is today.  Topics discussed: – How John Acres got started in the casino industry – John Acres’ first invention – Who were the big names in the casino industry in the 1970’s – Bringing new technology into casino operations – How was tracking casino play invented – How Progressive Jackpots were invented – What was different about Steve Wynn – How EDT got sold to IGT Gaming – How Acres Gaming sold to IGT Gaming -The evolution of Patents in the casino industry – Using a Challenge offer instead of Freeplay – Cashless Wagering – Increasing the Casino Share of Wallet – Ticket dispenser in slot machines – The process of creating a company and selling  Learn more: https://trio360.vip/casino-innovators... In this Innovators Interview Series: The casino industry has massive amounts of hidden gems as you dig deeper. There are endless opportunities for innovations to improve this niche area and we are looking to unveil them. We're talking Marketing, Slot Software, Security, Hospitality, Finance, Entertainment, and more!

URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, interviews "BD Slots and the Mrs. of BD Slots" to learn more about how the channel got started and to dive into the burgeoning field of influencer marketing within the casino industry. Check out BD Slots here:    / @bdslots    Watch full video and learn more: https://trio360.vip/the-rise-of-casino-influencers-bd-slots-interview-video/  In this Influencer Interview Series: Slots, Table Games, and Video Poker Channels as well as Casino Tips, Insights and Tours are breaking stride in Casino space. Influencers are using their contagious energy and unique personalities to showcase gaming to their audiences. Areas Discussed: – Background and Influence Scope – Content Creation and Strategy – Impact and Marketing Collaboration with Casinos – Industry Trends and Insights – Personalization and Engagement Techniques – Challenges with Casinos and Influencers

URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, interviews Jon Deli, NJ Slot Guy, to dive into the burgeoning field of influencer marketing within the casino industry. Check out NJ Slot Guy here: https://www.youtube.com/@NJslotguy Watch full video and learn more: https://trio360.vip/the-rise-of-casino-influencers-nj-slot-guy-interview-video/ In this Influencer Interview Series: Slots, Table Games, and Video Poker Channels as well as Casino Tips, Insights and Tours are breaking stride in Casino space. Influencers are using their contagious energy and unique personalities to showcase gaming to their audiences. Areas Discussed: – Background and Influence Scope – Content Creation and Strategy – Impact and Marketing Collaboration with Casinos – Industry Trends and Insights – Personalization and Engagement Techniques – Challenges with Casinos and Influencers  

Have you ever strolled through a casino and thought, "Who invented all these games?" or "How did they create this?" We have the answers! URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, interviews Domenico Pastia, SVP of Global Product for IGT. Together, they explore the creation of slot machines, the origin of ideas, provide a demo of IGT's latest release, "Tiger and Dragon," and more.  Topics discussed - How do gaming manufacturers come up with new ideas for slot machines? - Slot Machine "studio" meaning - Do new ideas come from players? - How IGT uses focus groups - How do bonus rounds, odds, and lines get developed for slot machines - What new IGT slot game is coming out - Progressive Jackpots - Tiger and Dragon - Release strategy for new slot machines - KPIs for Slot Machines - Tiger and Dragon bonus demonstration Watch interview: https://urcomped.com/blog/details/4200192/how-are-new-slot-machine-games-created-igt-interview Locate your favorite games using IGT's Game Search.

Following a controversial comment about removing freeplay, Nick Ippolito, Player Development Mentor AKA “The Host Whisperer,” explains his reasoning to URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett. Not only is Freeplay on the burner, but Nick also questions other PD systems, comps, host actions and more! Topics Discussed: Eliminate comp buckets and points When should casinos use freeplay What could replace Freeplay The Comp Transaction Watch interview: https://youtu.be/mfAETaFQIj8

Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage epitomizes luxury with its 16-story building, boasting 340 lavish rooms and suites equipped with top-notch amenities. Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage boasts a sprawling 77,000-square-foot casino floor, renowned for its top-notch slots and table games.   In this interview with Tom Bonanne, VP of Player Development at Agua Caliente Resort Casinos, and URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, they discuss information about the property, comps for players, the casino floor, things to do in the area, and more!  Topics Discussed:  - Tom's background in the casino industry - What's special about Agua Caliente - Recreational activities outside the property - Casino floor information - Rewards Program - Interesting facts about the hotel  - Perks included in offers Interested in comps at Agua Caliente? See what you qualify for: https://urcomped.com/offer/details/314693/stay-and-play-at-agua-caliente-resort-casino-spa-rancho-mirage

Back in high demand, Nick Ippolito Player Development Mentor AKA "The Host Whisperer," discusses with URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, how to build a casino player development program from the ground up. Stemming from a YouTube comment, this interview tackles important data metrics to consider when building a PD program, using that data to structure PD, and more! Topics Discussed:  Using results versus testimonials Importance of Data How do you start a Player Development Program PD data versus Marketing Data Utilizing data to determine growth areas How to structure Player Development What PD leaders should know Needs of Player Development Softwares Understanding Marketing channels Map out the Critical Path Learn more: https://trio360.vip/how-to-build-a-casino-player-development-program-cocktails-at-the-tangiers-nick-ippolito-interview/

URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, interviews, Matt "Mr. Blackjack" Blake to learn more about how the channel got started and to dive into the burgeoning field of influencer marketing within the casino industry. Check out Never Split 10s here: https://www.youtube.com/@neversplit10s In this Influencer Interview Series: Slots, Table Games, and Video Poker Channels as well as Casino Tips, Insights and Tours are breaking stride in Casino space. Influencers are using their contagious energy and unique personalities to showcase gaming to their audiences. Areas Discussed: – Background and Influence Scope – Content Creation and Strategy – Impact and Marketing Collaboration with Casinos – Industry Trends and Insights – Personalization and Engagement Techniques – Challenges with Casinos and Influencers

URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, interviews, Chris and Lu to learn more about how the channel got started and to dive into the burgeoning field of influencer marketing within the casino industry. Check out Chris and Lu here: https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisAndLu. Learn more: https://trio360.vip/the-rise-of-casino-influencers-chris-and-lu/ In this Influencer Interview Series: Slots, Table Games, and Video Poker Channels as well as Casino Tips, Insights and Tours are breaking stride in Casino space. Influencers are using their contagious energy and unique personalities to showcase gaming to their audiences. Areas Discussed: – Background and Influence Scope – Content Creation and Strategy – Impact and Marketing Collaboration with Casinos – Industry Trends and Insights – Personalization and Engagement Techniques – Challenges with Casinos and Influencers

URComped CEO and Co-Founder, Craig Shacklett, sits with Virgin Voyages' Manager of Casino Business Development, Leah Gregori, to get some answers to commonly asked questions as well as dive into the brand new casino program, Sea Roller Rewards, and how it works. (This interview was originally posted on 5/30/2024). Learn more: https://urcomped.com/blog/details/3843482/virgin-voyages-casino-launches-sea-roller-rewards-program Previous Interview: https://urcomped.com/blog/details/3585863/virgin-voyages-casino-program-urcomped-interview Questions Addressed in the Interview: What are the tiers in Virgin Voyages' new Sea Roller Rewards Program? What are the different benefits of Sea Roller Rewards? What is the period to level up in Sea Roller Rewards? How many points do players get per coin-in? How do players find out how many points they have on Virgin Voyages? Will they count play from past cruises? Now that the new program is launched, will Virgin Voyages' casino do a status match? Will URComped bookings still receive free drinks while playing and waived fees? How do players book their annual cruise offer from Virgin Voyages' Sea Roller Rewards? Will Virgin have an online portal for players?  What is coming next for Virgin Voyages Casino? Is Virgin releasing any new ships or have any new itineraries we should look forward to?

Blue Lake Casino & Hotel stands as the premier entertainment destination on California's Redwood Coast, offering luxury accommodations minutes from the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by stunning natural landmarks, it provides a boutique hotel experience, serving as an ideal hub for exploring Humboldt County.  In this interview with Kelly McKay, Player Development Coordinator of Blue Lake Casino Hotel, and URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, they discuss unique characteristics of the property, perks for players, how to get there, celebrities, and more!  Watch interview: https://urcomped.com/blog/details/3945505/blue-lake-casino-hotel-getaway-to-californias-redwood-coast Topics Discussed:  - Kelly's background in the casino industry - What makes Blue Lake special - Recreational activities  - Casino floor information - Interesting facts about the hotel  - Perks included in offers Interested in comps at Blue Lake? See what you qualify for: https://urcomped.com/offer/details/348962/stay-and-play-at-blue-lake-casino-hotel

There’s no question that the minimum bet at table games continues to increase, so there’s a notable shift towards electronic table games (ETGs) catering to players who want to make smaller bets. At tables, players engage with one another, enriching their overall experience and if they are pushed to ETGs, they’ll lose the interpersonal dynamic that makes table games special. It’s about more than just gaming; it’s about amplifying entertainment value and ensuring players feel their money is well spent on an experience. Mike Chapman, Gaming Operations Manager, tells URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, his suggestion for casinos to breathe new life into table games. This is leveraging the “ante” which is common in “class 2” casinos to boost casino profits or allocate resources towards retaining staff who can oversee lower-stakes tables. By offering games with lower limits, we can broaden opportunities for players at all levels, ensuring their continued presence and engagement on the gaming floor. Learn more: https://trio360.vip/casino-innovators-mike-chapman-breathing-new-life-into-table-games-video/

URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, interviews, Casino Fanatic Andy to learn more about how the channel got started and to dive into the burgeoning field of influencer marketing within the casino industry. Check out Casino Fanatic Andy here: https://www.tiktok.com/@casinofanatic78?lang=en  In this Influencer Interview Series: Slots, Table Games, and Video Poker Channels as well as Casino Tips, Insights and Tours are breaking stride in Casino space. Influencers are using their contagious energy and unique personalities to showcase gaming to their audiences. Areas Discussed: – Background and Influence Scope – Content Creation and Strategy – Impact and Marketing Collaboration with Casinos – Industry Trends and Insights – Personalization and Engagement Techniques – Challenges with Casinos and Influencers Learn more: https://trio360.vip/the-rise-of-casino-influencers-casino-fanatic-andy-interview-video/

Technology is in and paper is out! No more manual processes that are prone to human error. Casino Cash Trac (CCT) assists operators in ditching traditional paper-based methods and cumbersome spreadsheets, while also facilitating revenue audits and enhancing cash analytics for improved efficiency. Wanor Franca, Casino Cash Trac's CRO, joins URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, to discuss how they eliminate paper processes in casino operations, integrate with over 35 systems, ensure comprehensive revenue audits, and bride the gap between cash management and revenue tracking.  Reach out to CCT to learn more: https://casinocashtrac.com/ In this Innovators Interview Series: The casino industry has massive amounts of hidden gems as you dig deeper. There are endless opportunities for innovations to improve this niche area and we are looking to unveil them. We're talking Marketing, Slot Software, Security, Hospitality, Finance, Entertainment, and more! More from Casino Marketing University: https://trio360.vip/casino-innovators-casino-cash-trac-paperless-cash-analytics-and-revenue-audit-systems-video/

Artificial Intelligence is taking casinos by storm and increasing efficiency across the industry. In this interview URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, talks with nQube COO, Stasi Baran, as well Juan Romero, CEO of Volante Software, to dive further into their partnered solution for slot floors- LX! Operators can utilize this program to understand the best configuration for their casino slot floor and optimize their revenue. Reach out to Nqube to learn more: https://www.nqube.com/ In this Innovators Interview Series: The casino industry has massive amounts of hidden gems as you dig deeper. There are endless opportunities for innovations to improve this niche area and we are looking to unveil them. We're talking Marketing, Slot Software, Security, Hospitality, Finance, Entertainment, and more! More from Casino Marketing University: https://trio360.vip/casino-innovators-nqube-ai-slot-floor-optimization/