U.S. Gaming Sector Shows Limited Progress on Cashless Wagering at 2026 G2E

U.S. gaming adoption of cashless technologies remains lethargic in 2026 and is expected to stay that way next year. Payment and gaming executives outlined the barriers and incremental steps forward during a panel discussion at G2E in Las Vegas, as reported by CDC Gaming.

Tom McDonald, senior director of cage, credit, and digital gaming for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, said the conversation has moved beyond digital wallets alone. “The most consequential thing we did at Choctaw was to open up the ability of point-of-sale debit at kiosks” and ticket-in, ticket out. “The adoption of that has been fantastic. It has dramatically reduced the amount of cash we have moving around the floor.”

McDonald noted the tribe continues to evaluate further options while remaining cautious about first impressions with new technology. He said conditions have improved since COVID-19 but the gaming industry still trails retail and restaurants in technology uptake. Cooperation from providers is finally increasing.

Charlie Skinner, president of Marker Trax and Koin, called for vendors and operators to work together to deliver a seamless experience. He directly confronted the common CFO objection over lost ATM fees. Players can spend more than seven minutes away from the device on an ATM run. “When you factor in that some of those players, we model it out at 5 percent of the players never come back.”

Skinner said direct funding through QR code or tap from bank to credit meter eliminates the need for an app or wallet. He acknowledged expecting faster uptake five years ago but still believes cash will disappear from casino floors in 10 to 15 years.

Operational Barriers and Capital Constraints

The panel made clear that cashless conversion carries real costs. Properties that can fund the upgrades will proceed. Smaller casinos lack the available capital and will move more slowly. ATM revenue remains a live concern for commercial and tribal operators alike.

Outlook for a Cashless Floor

Executives expressed long-term confidence that cash will exit the casino environment. Realizing that outcome at scale will require sustained vendor collaboration, proven technology that delivers on the first impression, and solutions that address both player convenience and operator economics. The panel illustrated how far the sector has come since six years ago while underscoring the distance still to cover.

Reporting: CDC Gaming

Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.