The quest for the magic recipe to lure a young and fresh demographic to resorts and, eventually, the casino sphere has reached far and wide. Long ago, most of the giant companies observed that nightclubs and swimming pool dayclubs were a profitable endeavor pandering to the desire of millennials to see and be seen in a location where their friends assemble. By increasing the price of alcohol, establishments found that clubs could be as money-spinning as casinos, with a manageable overhead.
Others saw altering the scene of the category of game played to be an answer, tapping the magnetism of becoming or following a video game whiz who pursues the big stage by becoming an alias and being the best in the realm of an XBox or PlayStation game.
Certain companies have also seriously invested in technology and stadiums to stage play-offs, hoping that competitive video gaming is becoming a norm and not a craze. Some forward thinkers persuaded supervisors that competitive video gaming is an activity players and their followers would bet on and convinced the Nevada Gaming Commission to make it lawful to gamble on the result of skill-based competitions.
Indeed, not everyone is confident on the concept, but a few companies have tested the waters by provisionally renovating space to video game arenas for large competitions.
Technology has always been the course casino businesses have taken to attract the cohort, tapping into smartphones with commercials and bargains for attractions at the resort. Social media budgets have flourished, and smart operators have unearthed new means to tap the market simply by evaluating the devices the millennials can’t seem to get enough of.
In 2016, MGM Resorts International delivered its newest concept, Level Up, a 12,000-square-foot stadium at the MGM Grand designed by and for millennials. It features interactive skill-based games with music and a theme designed for the audience it aims to entice. Now, Las Vegas Sands Corp. is warming up to the market with two concepts that despite their simplicity, seem to hit the millennials’ sweet spot.
Initially, The Venetian revealed and trialled a test Stadium Blackjack, a variation on the widespread casino table game, designed by Las Vegas-based Scientific Games. Stadium Blackjack is played just like the standard 21 game that has been a Las Vegas staple. Participants sit at one of 44 stations surrounding a pair of live dealers, who distribute cards from a six-deck continuous shuffler. Then, each player plays off the same cards and if the dealer deals the player a blackjack, everybody wins. And, of course, if the dealer gets a blackjack, everyone loses.
The part that gets interesting is when players have to decide on the outcome: if a player is dealt a 14, for instance, each individual at a terminal must choose whether to hit or stand on it. Players have 10 seconds to decide, and if they don’t, they automatically stand. Players who want a hit are dealt another community card and the game continues until each player stands or busts. The dealer hand plays out like standard blackjack, hitting until reaching 17 to 21 or busting.
The advantage of Stadium Blackjack is the reduced labor costs for the casino — one or two dealers handling 44 customers. Because of such a dealer to customer ratio, the casino can provide a lower minimum, in this case, $5. What’s more, Stadium Blackjack even diminishes the burden on newbie players. At times the Stadium Blackjack game pace is slow while everybody weighs in on whether they’re hitting or standing, but many of the verdicts – like standing on a 20 – are noticeable to all and things move more speedily.
The company’s other proposal to the millennials is even less complicated. In the pedestrian corridor between The Venetian and the Sands Convention and Exposition Center is a new 1,170-square-foot, pop-up co-working lounge, sponsored by Las Vegas-based Zappos.com. For conventioneers, it’s an ideal place to catch up on email, do a little computer work, make a phone call in a noise-free area or even conduct small meetings.
The area has a laidback feel with hardwood floors, fixtures and glass walls. There are even four private phone rooms on the corners, a conference room that can seat six and can be reserved on the fly in the center, free Wi-Fi and multiple charging stations. Zappos, Sands and meeting planners staging trade shows at the property are using word of mouth to get the message out about the lounge that fits squarely in the millennial wheelhouse — but can also be used by any age group of patron.
Did you find this post interesting? Then we suggest for you to follow our blog for more updates about all the hottest happenings in Vegas, and remember to check out our services 702 ENT offers, we go all out on helping you plan an entertaining holiday, jam-packed with activities.
Our reliable Las Vegas Concierge Services is always on top of everything ready to recommend things to do, and places to go, depending on your own tastes and preferences.
Click here for more information.
