The cashless technology for slot machines has been around for decades, and now cashless casinos may be the new normal in a post Coronavirus world. The Nevada Gaming Commission will now consider changes to regulations covering the electronic transfers of money to games or gaming devices.

Currently, regulations allow customers to transfer money from a debit card to a game or gaming device, but very few properties have the licensed systems in place. Gaming Control Board Chairwoman Sandra Douglass Morgan said the language changes codify what already exists. The cashless systems are also subject to additional requirements in the board’s technical standards.

The vice president of strategic alliances at the American Gaming Association provided research that could convince gaming leaders to move forward. He said 57 percent of past-year casino visitors said digital or no contact payments on the casino floor is important to them because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Another 59 percent of casino customers said they were less likely to use cash in their everyday lives out of Coronavirus concerns.

Read more on the cashless casinos at the Nevada Independent.