Cashless Casino Trend Continues as Hollywood Casino in Charles Town Considers New Proposal

Penn National, owners of the Hollywood Casino in Charles Town, WV, are considering moving their operation to a cashless format. They have already completed this transition at various properties across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan.

The West Virginia Lottery Commission is currently deliberating on this proposal. 

For them, it's about what's in the best interest of the gamers. They worry that their flock may abandon them for greener pastures if this format becomes a hindrance.

However, with online casinos rapidly growing, more casino visitors are getting used to cashless gambling.

More on the West Virginia Lottery Commission

The West Virginia Lottery Commission is an independent agency of the West Virginia state government. The Commission was established in 1984 and is responsible for the administration of the state lottery. 

Five people are chosen by the Governor to make up the Commission.

The Commission meets monthly to discuss lottery matters and set policy for the lottery operation. In addition to setting policy, the Commission also oversees the financial operations of the lottery and audits all lottery games to ensure that they are fair and honest.

The West Virginia Lottery Commission is responsible for regulating the state's casino industry. The commission oversees the licensing of casinos and casino operators and the testing and certification of gaming equipment.

The commission also investigates complaints about casinos and takes enforcement action against those that violate state law. In addition, the commission works with the West Virginia Attorney General's office to prosecute criminal cases involving casinos.

The state established its own lottery in 1984, and casinos came around about ten years later.

The WV Lottery Commission is ultimately responsible for both the revenue of its operations as well as the safety of the players who enjoy them. So they're taking this move seriously. 

While they are hesitant to do anything that can compromise their gamblers, they also know that digital wallets and payment systems are the industry's future.

What Is a Cashless Casino? What Does It Mean for Gamers?

Most gaming equipment companies have or are currently developing mobile wallets - smartphone applications that store payment cards and other information. 

The technology is already in place, led by the ever-growing sports betting app industry, and Covid helped accelerate the process.

FDIC rules and regulations protect these funds.

In the near future, going to a casino isn't going to be about hitting up an ATM. Gamers can jump on to PayPal, Venmo, or the casino's own app, where the players can store bank or card information, and activate funds for in-house games through these apps.

The Commission has allowed Penn National to proceed with the plan, but it has warned that it will not give final approval until they see it in action. The idea is still under evaluation by commission officials, who anticipate the process will take several months.

However, the cashless system may debut at the Hollywood Casino sometime in 2022.

The History of the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town

PHOTO CREDIT: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town drew its first breath in 1937. The track originally consisted of a one-mile dirt oval and a seven-furlong turf course. Its primary use was harness racing and steeplechase races.

In 1944, the name was changed to Hollywood Casino at Charles Town, in an effort to attract more visitors from the nearby city of Hollywood, Maryland. The track began offering live thoroughbred racing in 1987.

Today, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town is one of the most popular gaming destinations in West Virginia. The casino features over 2,500 slot machines and 100 table games, and a live poker room. Visitors can also enjoy live entertainment at one of the casino's five restaurants.