In poker, the term ‘all in’ refers to that drama-filled moment when a player bets all his chips on a single hand. In everyday language, it has come to mean that a person is fully and enthusiastically committed. Its connotation is overwhelmingly positive—sort of a ‘go big or go home’ mantra that can fit any number of life’s occasions.
In that spirit, we at Hospitality Upgrade magazine are ‘all in’ when it comes to supporting casino gaming. It’s an exciting business, of course, but it’s so much more than that. It’s an industry that creates countless jobs, provides spectacular entertainment and generates tax revenue to support critical public projects.
It’s also a thriving sector of the economy. According to a recent American Gaming Association report, the U.S. commercial gaming industry generated record-breaking revenue for a third consecutive year in 2023. And more, 30 out of 36 states set records for commercial gaming revenue.
In the last few years, a surge of innovative technology, much of it powered by artificial intelligence, has ushered in some big changes throughout the gaming industry. One of the articles in this section features an interview with Ram Patrachari, former CIO of Jamul Casino and now president of technology consulting company SPentarkAI, about the top tech trends he’s seeing.
This section also includes a Q&A with Richard Rader, chief technology officer for Umpqua Indian Development Corporation, to get his views on a number of topics, including current technology challenges, technology he predicts will transform the industry, and the blending of gaming and non-gaming experiences in the casino environment. He and his team provide all of the IT support to the businesses inside the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians, including Seven Feathers Casino Resort, Creekside Hotel & Suites and Seven Feathers RV Resort as well as a number of other enterprises. I think you’ll enjoy his insights.
We also feature an interview with Namratha Nandagopal, executive director of application development and QA at Resorts World Las Vegas, about the importance of AI to the property’s technology strategy. In particular, she talks about RED, the property’s popular digital concierge, and discusses how Resorts World Las Vegas uses the technology to engage guests in real-time.
And, although it’s not a part of the gaming section, I think you’ll enjoy our feature story on page 16 about artificial intelligence in hotels, including a sidebar on legal considerations. AI is growing exponentially throughout the entire hospitality industry and shows no sign of stopping. There are benefits and risks, of course, and we still have a lot to learn.
It’s an exciting time for gaming, and we’re proud to be a part of this vibrant community. I hope you enjoy this special section!
Best,
Fran Worrall
