Are land-based casinos still sustainable?

In the age of constant technological advancements and the rise of the online casino without Cruks, a tantalizing question has arisen: Shouldn’t brick-and-mortar casinos be abolished completely, with sustainability in mind? It’s tempting to assume that an online casino, which appears to be little more than a website and a database, consumes significantly less energy than its brick-and-mortar counterparts. But is this really the case?

This article examines the relationship between sustainability and the gambling industry. This specifically focuses on the ecological footprint of land-based casinos compared to online casinos.

Sustainability is an urgent and much-discussed topic in today’s society, and it is very important to explore all possible angles. So, whether you’re a gambling enthusiast, interested in sustainability or just curious about the impact of technology on traditional industries, read on to discover if land-based casinos are starting to lose their luster in the face of sustainability and the rise of online gambling .

The rise of online casinos

The recent increase in the online casino without Cruks can be attributed to the launch of the new gambling legislation in 2021. This legislation has opened the market for legal online casinos, with the main aim of protecting Dutch players. An important instrument that was introduced together with the new legislation is the Central Register of Exclusions from Games of Chance (Cruks).

Cruks is a registry that offers the possibility to register problematic players. The consequence? An exclusion from participation in games of chance at both physical and online casinos for a period of 6 months. Premature unenrollment from Cruks is not possible, but bypassing Cruks is. When a player registers at an unlicensed casino, he/she can still gamble without Cruks despite a Cruks registration. Cruks thus plays an essential role in protecting vulnerable players and promoting responsible gambling.

While the new gambling law has led to the arrival of legal online casinos, it has also had a side effect in the form of online casinos without Cruks and foreign casinos. These often operate from other jurisdictions and are not covered by Dutch legislation and protective measures. It is important that players are aware of the existence of these casinos as they may not offer the same level of protection and fairness as legal online casinos that have been reviewed by the Gaming Authority.

How taxing are land-based casinos?

Physical casinos take up significant space, which can lead to degradation of natural environments. In addition, people often have to travel to visit a physical casino, which results in additional greenhouse gas emissions. Once in operation, land-based casinos consume significant amounts of energy for lighting, security systems, heating and cooling, and running gambling machines and other equipment. This energy consumption has an impact on the environment and contributes to climate change.

Energy requirement of online casinos

While the casino without Cruks doesn’t take up any physical space, there are certain aspects that can be energy intensive. Data centers, where the online platforms are hosted, often run 24/7 and consume significant amounts of electricity to run the servers and network equipment. In addition, the use of Wi-Fi modems by players contributes to energy consumption. Other factors, such as cooling systems and security measures, can also contribute to the overall energy consumption of online casinos.

How can the industry become more sustainable?

Both online and land-based casinos have opportunities to become more sustainable and reduce their impact on the environment. Some examples of measures that casinos can take are:

• Use of green energy: Casinos can switch to renewable energy sources such as solar energy or wind energy to make their electricity consumption more sustainable. By using green electricity, they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a cleaner energy supply.
• Energy efficiency: Both brick-and-mortar and online casinos can invest in energy-efficient technologies and equipment. This includes using LED lighting, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and regulating the energy consumption of gambling machines and other devices.
• Water Management: Land-based casinos can take measures to reduce water usage, such as installing water-saving equipment and implementing awareness programs for employees and guests. This contributes to the conservation of this valuable natural resource.
• Waste Management and Recycling: Casinos can implement effective waste management practices such as recycling programs, reducing packaging waste and using biodegradable materials whenever possible. Reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and promoting recycling contribute to more sustainable business operations.

Some casinos are already actively involved in sustainability initiatives. For example, some land-based casinos have installed solar panels to generate green energy, while others are investing in energy-efficient systems and recycling programs. Certain online casinos offset their carbon emissions by participating in climate offset programs or supporting environmental projects.

It is important that both online and brick-and-mortar casinos are aware of their environmental footprint and strive for more sustainable practices. By implementing environmentally conscious measures, casinos can contribute to conserving natural resources and reducing their impact on the environment.

The importance of awareness and cooperation

In addition to specific measures that casinos can take, it is also important to promote awareness and cooperation within the casino sector. By disseminating information and awareness campaigns, casinos can educate players and employees about sustainability and the importance of environmentally conscious choices.

In addition, casinos can collaborate with industry associations, government agencies and other stakeholders to share best practices and develop sustainability initiatives. This can result in the establishment of industry standards and guidelines for sustainability, encouraging the entire industry to embrace greener practices.

Examples of cooperation within the casino sector include organizing sustainability summits and conferences, where casino operators and stakeholders can come together to exchange knowledge and experiences. Such platforms can also serve as a catalyst for innovation and developing sustainable solutions for the casino industry as a whole.

In addition, government agencies can play a role by encouraging and supporting sustainability efforts in the casino sector. This may include providing grants or tax breaks for casinos that undertake green initiatives. By creating an enabling framework, governments can accelerate the transition to more sustainable practices in the casino industry.

It is of great importance that the casino sector becomes aware of the ecological impact and takes responsibility to make more sustainable choices. Through joint efforts and cooperation, the industry can make a positive contribution to the environment while improving the player experience

The importance of technological innovation

Technological innovation plays an important role in the pursuit of sustainability in both online and brick-and-mortar casinos. By adopting new technologies, casinos can reduce their energy consumption and use resources more efficiently. Some examples of technological innovations that casinos can consider are:

• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): By offering VR and AR gambling experiences, physical casinos can make better use of their physical space. Players can participate in slot games from home and experience virtual casino environments, reducing travel to physical locations and limiting carbon emissions.
• Efficient server technology: Online casinos can invest in energy efficient server technologies, such as using server clusters with high energy efficiency. By minimizing the energy consumption of data centers, the ecological impact can be reduced.
• Digital documents and processes: Digitizing documents and processes can reduce the need for physical copies and paperwork. Online casinos can promote digital transactions and electronic documents, while land-based casinos can move to digital ticketing and registration systems.
• Sustainable mobile devices: Online casinos can optimize their platforms for use on energy-efficient mobile devices. This encourages players to use more sustainable devices and reduces the energy consumption associated with playing on less efficient devices.

It is essential that casinos are open to and invest in technological innovations that contribute to sustainability. By using technology in a smart and responsible way, casinos can reduce environmental impact while improving the gaming experience. As a result, the industry is actively working towards a more sustainable future.