New line of cashless slots in Nevada
In a move that challenges decades of industry tradition, the Crystal Bay Casino has become the first gaming venue in Nevada to introduce a new line of completely cashless slot machines.
The installation in October 2026 allows players to deposit funds directly from their phone, signaling a potential turning point for an industry long dependent on physical cash and representing a significant step toward a more digital casino floor.
Nevada’s first RAPIDPLAY cashless slot machines
The historic casino, located in Crystal Bay, Nevada, has officially launched the RAPIDPLAY™ cashless slot machines, a new technology from gaming supplier Light and Wonder. While the devices were first announced in 2024, Crystal Bay marks their inaugural placement within the Silver State.
These new machines, which do not accept cash, have been added to the casino’s existing collection of over 180 slots. The introduction represents a major test for the technology, as both operators and players explore a more streamlined, digital approach to funding gameplay on the casino floor.
Crystal Bay Casino becomes testing ground for cashless play
The choice of Crystal Bay Casino as the testing ground is particularly noteworthy. The venue, which will celebrate its 90th anniversary next year, is a cornerstone of the local gaming scene, offering traditional table games like blackjack, craps, and roulette alongside a sportsbook operated by William Hill.
blending its storied past with a vision for the future of gaming
By integrating this cutting-edge technology into a long-established property, the casino is blending its storied past with a vision for the future of gaming. The move positions the nearly century-old establishment at the forefront of a technological shift that larger, newer resorts have been slower to adopt.
An ATM at the slot machine
The technology behind RAPIDPLAY aims to simplify the player experience by removing the need to handle cash or visit a separate ATM. Jeff Allen, Senior Director of Product Management for Light and Wonder, previously described them as “an ATM at the slot machine.”
Powered by Koin Payments, a leader in pay-by-bank technology, the system allows players to scan a QR code on the machine with their smartphone. This initiates a secure and direct transfer of funds from their bank account into the game in a matter of seconds. “Rather than the player walking over and withdrawing money from an ATM and inserting it into a slot machine, they can do everything right there at the point of play,” Allen explained.
Balancing convenience and tradition
Crystal Bay’s initiative is part of a broader, albeit cautious, push toward cashless solutions in the U.S. gaming industry. Earlier this year, Station Casinos began a field test in Las Vegas of a different system at venues including Durango Casino and Resort, which used Adostics’ TrustedTap technology to allow players to fund machines with a simple tap of their phone via Apple Pay.
These developments reflect a wider consumer preference for contactless and digital payments seen across retail and hospitality. While proponents highlight the enhanced convenience and security of cashless systems, the transition poses a significant challenge to the cash-centric traditions of the casino floor. As digital funding makes spending easier, industry experts emphasize the ongoing importance of responsible gambling measures to help players manage their limits in a cashless environment.
It remains to be seen how quickly this trend will be adopted across major gaming hubs like the Las Vegas Strip, but the first cashless slots in Nevada are now officially in play.
