The industry has become a hub of entertainment, and for casual players who love nights at slot machines or spending hours at tables, casinos need to remain sustainable. Whether it’s the Las Vegas experience or an online casino that runs 24/7, the industry must find ways to go green while keeping the fun alive.
So, what’s the best way to ensure everyone still gets a piece of the action while the industry runs smoothly? Well, below are a few ideas that could maintain sustainability for the long term.
These days, most people are used to playing casino games online. But those who frequent land-based casinos will be familiar with the bright lights that greet them as soon as they walk in. While they look scintillating and add to the vibe of the atmosphere, those displays demand an enormous amount of energy.
The neon signs, video screens, and rows of glowing slot machines you see keep the atmosphere alive but also rack up electricity bills.2 Luckily, there’s still a smart way around this without sacrificing the quality of the experience.
Some casinos are making the switch to LED lighting, which uses up to 75% less energy and lasts much longer than traditional bulbs. Smart lighting systems take efficiency a step further, automatically adjusting brightness based on occupancy. A packed poker tournament? Full illumination. A quieter morning? Lights dim down, saving power.
The number of casino players is not projected to reduce in the near future.3 If anything, data indicates that there will be an increase in that number by 12.3% in 2025. This calls for an effort to keep casinos as comfortable as possible.
With thousands of guests coming and going, doors constantly opening, and gaming machines generating heat, temperature regulation is a challenge.
Energy-efficient HVAC systems help manage this demand while cutting waste. Smart climate controls use sensors to detect where cooling or heating is needed most, preventing overuse in low-traffic areas. Some resorts are even investing in geothermal systems, tapping into the Earth’s natural temperature to reduce reliance on traditional heating and cooling methods.
Routine maintenance will also do a lot of good. Utilising a clogged air filter forces a system to work harder than necessary, driving up energy use. Small fixes like this make a big difference over time.
The top casino centres around the world are not just for gambling. These places are filled with other side attractions, including exotic hotels, pools, restaurants, and other eye-catching water fountains. All of that takes an enormous amount of water.
To cut down on waste, many resorts are installing low-flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads that reduce water use without sacrificing comfort. Some properties are going even further with greywater recycling, which repurposes gently used water from sinks and showers for irrigation.
We already mentioned fountains earlier. Yes, these extravagant displays may seem like water guzzlers. Still, newer designs use closed-loop systems—which all casinos should embrace—continuously recycling the same water rather than pulling in fresh supply.
Several hospitality sectors, including restaurants and hotels, produce over 18 million tons of waste annually. With thousands of visitors daily, casinos contribute to that number. Disposable cups, paper receipts, old playing cards—there’s a lot that ends up in the trash.
Setting up proper recycling stations throughout a property keeps recyclables out of landfills. However, waste reduction doesn’t stop with plastic and paper. Casino restaurants contribute significantly to food waste, which means that making donation programs and implementing composting are valuable strategies. Surplus food can be sent to shelters while composting organic scraps turns waste into something useful.
More importantly, restaurants within casinos should have food waste reduction initiatives, including
For those outdated slot machines and electronic equipment? Responsible recycling of e-waste keeps harmful materials from polluting the environment.
Even outdated gaming machines, furniture, and carpets can be repurposed or recycled instead of being thrown away. E-waste recycling programs keep harmful materials from ending up in landfills.
While online casinos don’t have the physical footprint of their land-based counterparts, they’re far from being free of environmental impact. So, the idea of sustainability is just as important to this aspect of the casino industry.
Running an online gaming centre isn’t for the weak. There’s a level of commitment that goes into making this work.
A single data centre can use 240–340 terawatt hours (TWh), which is around 1–1.3% of total electricity demand—as much as a small city consumes. This is because servers run 24/7 to support online gambling platforms. These data centres also require extensive cooling systems to prevent overheating, further increasing energy use.
Unlike land-based casinos, where sustainability is tied to buildings and guest behaviour, online casinos need to focus on energy-efficient digital operations.
Online casinos already have the advantage of paperless transactions, but many still rely on printed marketing materials, direct mail promotions, and paper-based loyalty programs.
Switching to digital-only promotions, email marketing, and mobile-friendly loyalty programs saves paper and reduces overall waste. Encouraging players to opt for e-receipts instead of printable confirmations also makes a difference.
Everyone can also be a part of these efforts to ensure the casino industry is around for a long time. Whether in-person or online, casinos can track and measure players’ sustainability efforts. Energy use, water consumption, waste reduction, and carbon footprint tracking provide clear data on progress.
Many casinos are now publishing sustainability reports, outlining their green initiatives, and setting public goals—such as cutting emissions by 30% over five years. Transparent reporting not only holds companies accountable but also encourages other businesses to follow suit.
Sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it’s good for business. Eco-conscious players are more likely to support casinos that prioritise environmental responsibility, and that’s a collective effort that should be encouraged.
If the gambling industry is going to remain accessible to everyone, it mustn’t and shouldn’t become a problem difficult to manage. This time, it’ll involve managing gambling habits. Saving energy and cutting costs is necessary and helps with the financial side of things for the industry, but the pockets of the players also matter.
We can’t afford to let what is considered a form of entertainment become a source of burden. While players have their parts to play, casinos can set certain restrictions and procedures in place.
Casinos are often seen as energy-intensive venues, and there’s no denying that fact. Regardless, several have taken significant steps to reduce their environmental impact, which other casinos can likely emulate. Here are real-life examples of gambling centres implementing green practices and the benefits that followed.
MGM Resorts is a top enterprise that boasts over 31 exotic hotels and casinos around the world. Between 2007 and 2022, the company achieved a 49.5% reduction in carbon emissions intensity thanks to energy efficiency measures and renewable energy initiatives.4
On top of that, MGM Resorts has implemented a comprehensive water stewardship strategy, resulting in a reduction of 13.9 billion gallons in water withdrawals during the same period.
Caesars Entertainment has been proactive in adopting energy conservation measures. Over nine years, they’ve invested nearly $70 million in energy projects, including efficient lighting and water-saving initiatives. These efforts save over 208 million kilowatt-hours annually and have led to more than $24 million in resource savings each year.5
The casino community is getting larger by the day, and there’s a need for the industry to maintain a standard that makes every experience worthwhile. And we’re not just saying more games, bigger resorts, or flashier online platforms
Players today are more conscious than ever, and they want to support brands that align with their values. If the industry is going to remain relevant for years to come, it’s important that it builds a gambling industry that is responsible, ethical, and sustainable. That’s the best bet going forward.
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