From the Desk Of…Shannon Holsey, President, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians
“From the Desk Of…” is a series from the G2E Insider written by G2E community members to share their knowledge with the wider gaming industry. Shannon Holsey, President at Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, reflects on a stellar year for tribal gaming and what’s ahead in 2025.
2024 was indeed a breakthrough year for tribal gaming, with numerous significant accomplishments. Battling economic instability and dynamic consumer behaviors, tribal casinos continued to prosper by answering the swelling demand for top-notch entertainment. Everything from live gaming and slot machines to the rising demand for non-gaming facilities, tribal gaming establishments offered a varied range of experiences to entice a wide customer base. Consequently, tribal gaming has become a serious contender to commercial gaming with gross gaming revenue of $41.9 billion in 2023, a $1 billion surge from 2022. A noteworthy success of the past year was how tribal gaming became an economic propeller for tribal communities, providing ample employment opportunities while fueling local economies.
Global Gaming Expo continues to be a critical platform for tribal gaming's progression. G2E offers an exclusive forum for industry experts to explore the latest innovations and trends, encouraging valuable networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities, and enabling tribal operators to gain insights from other international markets. The future holds exciting prospects for tribal gaming, particularly in the technological realm. Virtual Reality (VR) is gathering momentum to provide immersive gaming experiences, and we are likely to witness more such innovations in tribal casinos. As the average gambler's age shifts to around 42, offerings need to be adapted to appeal to a younger, tech-enthused demographic.
The coming year may also see a shift in customer segmentation, with a focus on Millennials and Gen Z. This means an emphasized focus on mobile gaming, loyalty programs, and personalized gaming experiences. At G2E 2025, I eagerly anticipate the next stage of data-driven decision-making and customer engagement. As tribal gaming operators, data and analytics have become an integral part of our operations for predicting patron behavior, optimizing operations, and ultimately enhancing the customer experience. Innovations in mobile and online gaming also make for an exciting frontier to watch.
We must keep an eye on the emerging trends and remain agile to adapt to the changing landscape of the gaming industry. While online gaming hasn't made a significant breakthrough in regions like Wisconsin yet, the shift to a more digital gaming landscape could profoundly impact brick-and-mortar operations. Let's see what 2025 has in store for us!
Hear more from Shannon Holsey about the future of tribal gaming and its importance to the larger gaming industry in “Vanguard: The Next Generation in Tribal Gaming” recorded onsite at G2E 2024 and available on-demand.