The Casino Business Podcast

The Locals Casino Playbook for Loyalty & Retention

In this interview, URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, sits down with Tim Brooks, General Manager of Emerald Island and Rainbow Club Casinos, to break down what drives loyalty in a high frequency locals market in Henderson, Nevada. Brooks shares how the properties grew by staying close to the guest, moving quickly as an independent operator, and treating service as the core differentiator. The conversation gets practical on experience design, team culture, reinvestment, and retention, along with how operators can apply these principles to larger properties. Topics Discussed: - Henderson locals market and core customer profile - Service as the primary competitive advantage - Turning guest pain points into customer-first pivots - Promotions and fun built at machine level - Employee ownership culture and long tenure - X's and O's of Success service training - Reinvestment beyond free play first impressions standards - Reactivation and new guest acquisition strategy - AI support vs face to face service Learn more: https://trio360.vip/the-locals-casino-playbook-for-loyalty-retention/

Turning Live Sports into Casino Revenue: EverPass on Sports Media Commercial Rights

Sports can be a major revenue driver for casinos, boosting foot traffic, customer engagement, and spending across gaming and F&B. However, there is a growing complexity of sports media rights and legal compliance for commercial use. EverPass Media CMO, Bryan Icenhower, joins URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett, for an interview that discusses how EverPass simplifies access to premium sports content for commercial venues, including marketing assets and promotional tools. By aggregating content, ensuring proper licensing, and serving as the exclusive distributor of NFL Sunday Ticket for U.S. commercial establishments, Everpass simplifies the complexity for venues looking to capitalize on live sports Topics Discussed: - What does EverPass Media do? - Solving sports media rights - Exclusive distribution of NFL Sunday Ticket deal - Key investors and strategic backing - The impact of live sports on casino revenue - Positioning sports rights as a revenue-generating platform - Utilizing fan behavior data and targeted marketing strategies - Marketing and promotional support - Importance of legal compliance and risks - Value of in-venue sports viewing experiences - Commercial licensing solutions to prevent copyright infringement

Casino Marketing in Unregulated Markets: Ukraine and Eastern Europe

Craig Shacklett, URComped CEO, interviews Iryna Ashyrova, iGaminig product manager and podcaster, to break down the realities of the Ukrainian and Eastern European gambling markets – from their retail beginnings in the 1990s to today's dominant online and crypto-driven landscape. She shares insights into market size, regulatory challenges, corruption, aggressive marketing tactics, and why sports betting and slots dominate player spend. The conversation dives deep into how casinos acquire and retain players in largely unregulated environments, why crypto casinos are rapidly gaining trust and traction, and how VIP relationships, segmentation, and high-margin players are reshaping the industry's future. Topics Discussed: – How Iryna discovered and connected with the casino business podcast – Overview of the Ukrainian gambling market today – Impact of past corruption and current regulatory instability – Effects of the war between Russia and Ukraine on regulation and operators – Major operators exiting the market – The evolution of gambling in Ukraine and the digital growth – Game preferences in Ukraine – Marketing practices in Eastern Europe – Cross-promotion with sports and famous athletes – VIP programs – Segmentation among operators – The rise of crypto casinos Learn more: https://trio360.vip/casino-marketing-in-unregulated-markets-ukraine-and-eastern-europe/

Transforming Slot Floor Performance with SlotTrak

Volante Software CEO, Juan Romero, discusses a needed transformational shift in how casino operators should evaluate and manage their slot floors in this interview with URComped CEO, Craig Shacklett. The conversation centers on Slot Trak and its role in helping operations move beyond traditional top-line revenue thinking to a more impactful bottom-line perspective, factoring in costs, downtime, labor, and lost revenue opportunities. Romero breaks down how data, reporting, and real-time insights change the way decisions are made on the gaming floor, turning gut feelings into informed strategies that directly affect profitability. Learn more: https://trio360.vip/transforming-slot-floor-performance-with-slottrak/

The Five Commandments of Player Development: Jim Sulima Interview

In this interview, URComped CEO Craig Shacklett sits down with Jim Sulima, AKA Super Host 88 and Director of Player Development at Tioga Downs, to break down his 5 Commandments of Player Development and relationship marketing. Drawing from his experience, Jim shares the universal principles that transcend properties, markets, and job titles, outlining his "commandments" for building loyalty, trust, and unforgettable guest experiences. From professionalism and accessibility to knowing your customer and leading with empathy, this conversation goes beyond theory and into real-world execution. Whether you're on the casino floor, in VIP services, or leading a team, Jim's insights offer a masterclass in how intentional relationships drive long-term success in the gaming industry. Topics Discussed: - Be Professional - Know Your Customer - Build Relationships with Other Departments - Be Accessible and Answer Your Phone - Treat Others How You Want To Be Treated Learn more: https://trio360.vip/the-five-commandments-of-player-development-jim-sulima-interview/