DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN HOSPITALITY & GAMING –THE FUTURE IS NOW
We are all aware of the current ‘cashless’ gaming trials about to take place, but Digital Transformation means a lot more than that. Driven by guest expectations and market forces, Digital Transformation for the hospitality and gaming industry is already impacting day-to-day operations and experiences.
But it is not as scary, nor as expensive as it might sound. The term Digital Transformation means the accelerated adaptation of existing technology applications, not some futuristic technologies. And central to these applications is something common to us all, the mobile phone.
The Digital Wallet: Meaning and Functions
Digital wallets are financial platforms that help users make online payments using their mobiles. They generally store a user’s payment information and credentials – including credit card and debit card details – and facilitate payments without the need to carry a physical wallet.
In addition, a digital wallet can also store membership cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, identification cards, event tickets, coupons or vouchers and even plane tickets. Digital wallets can be in an app format or serve as wallets in platforms such as Google Pay or Apple Pay for example. They work as an electronic version of your physical wallet and authenticate your payment through encryption to securely send money from a customer to a merchant, for instance.
It is easy to see how having a digital membership or loyalty card, housed in a digital wallet, would be a natural transition for a club, pub or casino. Apart from the identification and payment solutions, and through third party integration, you also have the ability to store and pay via members points; play games or enter contests, and even access player activity statements. You can also send targeted messages, offers, bonus points, vouchers etc., either via geolocators or a predetermined set of qualifying rules through a loyalty program. And you can do all that without the need to develop an expensive app, although all of the options can also work within an existing app, if you wish.
Digital transformation is also having a big impact on back of house gaming operations, including compliance and regulatory reporting. Real time mobile applications enable quick, easy logging of incidents, observations and conversations, automating the Gaming Incident Register and protecting venues from expensive breaches while supporting industry best practice. Facial Recognition Technology integration with automated alerts for excluded patrons, along with complete chronological reporting that provides a secure audit trail, meet all the requirements of the latest gaming regulations now and in the future.
All of the above services, especially designed and developed for the Australian gaming market, are available right now through Cherry Hub. EBet is fully integrated with all of the Cherry Hub services including CherryPass, CheryPay, CherryChat, CherryPlay and CherryCheck. Find out more or request a demonstration at www.cherryhub.com.au
OVER 80% OF AUSTRALIANS USING DIGITAL WALLETS
Australian consumers are at the forefront of mobile wallet use and the adoption of digital banking tools. They are abandoning cash and physical payment experiences in larger numbers than the US or the UK. So, if you think your customers aren’t ready for a digital transformation, think again.
Recent surveys* have uncovered some staggering statistics.
- 69% of Australians surveyed said they felt comfortable enough using a mobile wallet to leave their physical wallet at home, a figure 23% higher than the number of Americans who said the same.
- Mobile wallet use is now twice as frequent as cash across Australia. 69% said they used a mobile wallet in the last week, while just 34% said they’d used cash.
- More than 80% of Aussies say they have used digital wallets in the past 12 months.
The pandemic played a big role in pushing Australians towards mobile wallet use. Though historically we have been early adopters of payment technologies, this specific boost can largely be attributed to habits picked up when the Department of Health recommended Aussies ditch cash for digital and to digitally ‘check-in’ at every venue outside of their home.
*Sources: The State of Consumer Money Movement Report 2022 and GetApp Survey 2022
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LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CASHLESS GAMING
FREE LIVE WEBINAR
Join Ebet Managing Director and CEO Frank Makryllos and special guest Cheryl Hosking, Group Gaming Manager from the Wyong Leagues Club Group as they host a special FREE lunchtime webinar next week about Cashless Gaming. It is a live webinar with a Q&A session for audience questions.
Wednesday 24 May / 12 noon Sydney time
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https://events.humanitix.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-cashless-gaming-free-webinar
