An agreement between cashless gaming developer Marker Trax and casino operator Maverick Gaming will bring digital wagering technology to slot machines at the Wendover Nugget in rural Nevada.
Image provided by Marker Trax
The casino hotel, located in northeastern Nevada near the border with Utah and 125 miles from Salt Lake City, will utilize the Marker Trax system on the property’s more than 600 slot and video poker machines.
The agreement is also the first time the Marker Trax technology will be utilized in conjunction with a casino management system developed by Scientific Games.
Maverick plans to add the cashless technology to the slot machines at the company’s other three rural Nevada casinos.
“We are excited about the debut of Marker Trax at the Wendover Nugget property and look forward to future expansion of this cashless offering throughout our enterprise,” said Maverick Gaming COO Justin Beltram.
Customers can apply for a Marker Trax account either online or through a mobile app. Enrollment in Marker Trax is free and gives the customer the ability to play on a cashless advance from the casino.
Through an interface with the slot management system and mobile wallet technology, approved funds are immediately available to the customer electronically at their machine. The cashless advance is available as customers play different machines throughout the Wendover Nugget. Customers will have access to their account information on the mobile app and through the website.
Marker Trax technology is currently being utilized in Nevada at Ellis Island Casino in Las Vegas and at properties operated by Golden Entertainment, including STRAT Resort and Tower in downtown Las Vegas. In Southern California, Marker Trax technology is being used at Jamul Casino in San Diego and Morongo Casino Resort near Palm Springs.
The technology for those properties is on a system provided by Konami Gaming, said a company spokeswoman.
Marker Trax was founded in 2018 by gaming industry veteran Gary Ellis and offers regulatory-compliant casino marker technology. Marker Trax Chief Operating Officer Charlie Skinner said the product quickly scores and approves players for credit.
“We are honored to be working with Maverick Gaming with the introduction of Marker Trax to their valued customers,” said Charlie Skinner. “The technology is unrivaled.”
Cashless and digital gaming technology and its inclusion at casinos were advocated by the American Gaming Association back in 2019. However, development and usage accelerated following the casino-industry-wide COVID-19 shutdowns and contactless operating protocols that have been introduced in the past year.
Scientific Games Senior Vice President Rob Bone said cashless gaming applications enable an “engaging and personalized” gaming session for casino customers.
“As cashless technology gains momentum, players are seeking a more efficient and customized experience on the casino floor,” Bone said.
In addition to its four Nevada casinos, Maverick operates three casinos in Colorado and 19 card room casinos in Washington.
Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgaming.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
