A casino is a gambling establishment where players wager money against the house in games of chance, or with an element of skill (like blackjack or poker). It’s a noisy and exciting place where champagne glasses clink and locals and tourists mingle. Casinos are the largest source of revenue for gaming establishments in the United States, with billions of dollars raked in each year.
Many casinos focus their marketing efforts on attracting high rollers, gamblers who wager in the tens of thousands of dollars or more. These people are a critical part of the casino’s financial stability and often receive high-dollar comps like free luxury suites and personal attention from staff. They are encouraged to spend even more, creating a positive feedback loop where customers return to play and bet big.
The casino industry is driven by emotion, and many of its marketing techniques are designed to make people feel good. This is a crucial element of success, because the decision to gamble is usually an emotional one. The excitement of winning, the energy of the crowd and other elements in a casino environment are all designed to make people feel happy and excited, which encourages them to keep playing.
In the movie Casino, Robert De Niro’s character, Sam “Ace” Rothstein, outlines his worldview in the opening scene: “When you love someone, you gotta trust them — that’s just the way it is.” This sentiment is at odds with his actions, of course, as he uses his position to manipulate and profit from others. Nevertheless, it’s the kind of tone and sentiment that many casinos strive to emulate in their marketing campaigns.
Modern-day casino marketing is a multifaceted endeavor that includes traditional advertising methods, such as print and radio ads. Online marketing, social media, and e-sports can also be important tools in casino marketing.
While most consumers rely on word-of-mouth recommendations and reviews when choosing where to gamble, casinos can also promote their own customer success stories to boost credibility and build brand loyalty. Casinos can showcase their best players on their websites and social media pages and can record video testimonials of happy winners. They can also display pictures and videos of their most recent winners on screens throughout the casino.
As the popularity of e-sports continues to rise, casinos can also partner with teams or platforms to market themselves as a fun and exciting venue for fans. As a result, casinos are able to reach new audiences and bring in more guests who would otherwise not be interested in their offerings. In addition, online marketing tools like Cvent Competitive Ads can give casinos prominent exposure to event planners searching for venues in similar markets and sister cities, helping them earn group business that they wouldn’t otherwise have gotten.