Today’s News on 4/24 said Palace Station was opening its new state-of-the-art bingo room on April 28. If the casinos are trying to attract the Millennial crowd, it seems to me that bingo is not the way to go. I can’t imagine too many Millennials are into it. Yet I understand that several casinos have been upgrading their bingo rooms. Is bingo a big win for the casinos? And what is state-of-the-art in bingo technology?
Though in certain ways, Millennial generational characteristics seem to be resolving, in others, this gigantic cohort still seems to have a few surprises up its collective sleeve. For example, they like roulette.
The main story in this month’s Advisor mentions that the Nevada roulette win was $38.6 million in February, up a whopping 60% over the same month in 2016. Anthony Curtis wrote that roulette appears to be one of the few casino games that interest the coveted Millennials—whom “you see playing the wheels, often dressed up, both early in the evening and late at night before and after their forays to the nightclubs.” Who knows? Bingo might also catch on with the younger set.
As for Palace Station, we seriously doubt this particular casino is looking to attract the kids. It caters mostly to older low-stakes locals (and has been making a push for the Asian market as well, with Lucky Dragon just around the corner). Not every casino has the up-and-coming generation in its sights.
Also, keep in mind that the original name of Palace Station was Bingo Palace, so you probably can’t come to any conclusions about the current state of casino bingo based on one casino that has that very game in its genetic makeup.
Bingo isn’t, by any measure, a big winner for the casino. According to the Nevada Gaming Revenue Report for 2016, bingo was the lowest earner of any casino game in Clark County, with 31 locations, a total win of a little more than $6 million, at a 2.9 win percentage (or hold). Compare that to the $1.21 billion from 324 baccarat tables at a 14.4% hold or the $1.04 billion from 2,087 blackjack tables at a 13.2% hold.
Still, bingo’s percentage is perhaps a little misleading. According to WizardofOdds.com, many bingo rooms allow players club points to be used to pay for cards, so the low percentage probably doesn’t account for points. One bingo manager told the Wizard that his room held 11%—still low on the scale, but nearly four times higher than the official number.
Bingo rooms make money these days, but they also remain a kind of loss leader (which recalls the days, not too long ago actually, when bingo did lose money for the casino), especially considering the amount of space they occupy. Bingo attracts the kind of player who can buy in for as little as $4 and receive an hour or so of entertainment during as many as 12 games in a session. Low rollers they might be, but they’re also the type of gamblers who’re likely to play other games or grab a bite on the way in and out.
Finally, as to the state of the bingo art, that includes better number-selecting tech, such as hands-free blowers (in which the ball “hopper” does everything electronically, often from a glass display case) on elevated stages, large projection screens throughout the rooms (with TV screens interspersed and tuned to favorite programs and sporting events), and table-top bingo computers replacing the traditional paper cards and daubers, each with a USB charger so guests can plug in devices while bingoing their brains out.
Contrasting images of the smoky bingo parlors of the past, today’s rooms offer separate enclosed smoking areas, along with private restrooms just for bingo players, the latest sound and lighting systems, and VIP areas with luxury seating and food and beverage service. The fanciest new rooms have fancy snack bars serving baked goods and custom coffee drinks, and alcohol service bars with handcrafted cocktails.
Almost makes us want to run down to Palace Station right now for a few bingo rounds. Almost.
