In the years before legal online sports betting, almost every gaming conference would include a panel about how to get younger customers into retail casinos.
Many options failed: skill-based games, esports and younger-skewing IP for games rarely had a positive effect. Sometimes it would even backfire with a skill-based game taking three minutes to finish on a $5 play, which took valuable floor space from standard slot machines with a much higher coin-in rate.
As it turns out, casinos just had to meet younger gamblers where they are most comfortable: their smartphones.
Multiple operators took the time during their earnings calls to discuss how their online offerings have filled their databases with 21-to-40-somethings who are now visiting their retail properties.