In an effort to attract more Millennial customers (those born between 1982 and 2004), Atlantic City casinos have begun offering skill-based video games. Instead of relying on the luck of the draw, players will be rewarded by how well they can play the game.
Younger players looking to hit the casinos in Atlantic City need to be aware that their winnings could be subject to a 30% withholding tax. If you’re a non-U.S. resident and had 30% of your gaming winnings held back by the IRS, you can claim a portion or all of your taxable winnings.
Atlantic City Casinos Hope to Draw Players with Skill Not Luck
Slot machines have always been popular in casinos across the U.S, but that has changed over the last 25 years. Casinos across the U.S. have not been able to draw Millennials to the casino floor.
While Baby Boomers may love plunking money into a slot, pushing a button, and waiting for the luck of the draw, younger players don’t; they’re more interested in playing skill-based games on their smartphones.
This generation gap is cutting in the casinos bottom line. In the early 1990s, gaming accounted for approximately 60% of casino revenue. Today, non-gaming revenue—that includes, shows, attractions, food, etc.—accounts for more than 60% of a casino’s revenue.1
This is prompting casinos to adapt to new ways to bring in the next generation of casinos gamblers. Where traditional slot machines are based entirely on chance, skill-based, arcade-style games are based on the player’s skill level, such as shooting a gun or driving a car. The better a player is, the greater their chances of winning.
Starting in October, three casinos in Atlantic City—Caesar’s Harrah’s, and Bally’s (all owned by Caesar’s Entertainment)—introduced the first skill-based video game. Similar games are also expected to be placed in casinos in California and Nevada later in October.2
Titled Danger Area, the game features 10,000 different video screen maps, some of which being more difficult than others. The game takes players through a playing field in 45 second increments. If, for example, you shoot eight or more robots, you’re in the money. Taking out 10 gives you the highest payout: $500.00 on a $25.00 bet. Each game also includes a secondary opportunity to win instant cash ranging from $1.00 to $5,000. Other games are expected to be rolled out each month.
Millennials might be the primary target of the new skill-based games, but video games have been popular since the early 1980s and will also attract players in their 40s and 50s.
Atlantic City Casino’s Offering Skill Based Games
Harrah’s Atlantic City
Harrah’s Atlantic City overlooks the bay in the Marina District and is a short four kilometre walk to the Boardwalk. The 177,000-square foot casino floor boasts more than 3,800 slots, skill-based video games, 40 poker tables, table games (including Blackjack, Spanish 21, Texas Hold’em Bonus, Roulette, Mini-Baccarat, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Let It Ride, Craps, and Pai Gow), and Keno.3
The casino also has a luxury hotel, pool, spa, entertainment, shows, restaurants, and clubs.
Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino
Caesars Atlantic City sits on some of the best real estate in New Jersey: right on the Boardwalk. The Ancient Rome-themed property has a 145,000-square foot casino where you can play on over 2,000 slot machines with denominations ranging from $0.01 to $1,000. The casino also has more than 175 table games.4
In addition to a casino, Caesars Atlantic City also has a hotel, spa, salon, rooftop pool, fitness centre, entertainment, several upscale restaurants, multiple bars and nightclubs, and shopping.
Bally’s Atlantic City
Bally’s is a just a few minutes east of Caesars and also occupies prime real estate: the corner of Park Place and Boardwalk. The casino covers 225,000 square feet where you’ll find more than 5,000 slot machines, 230 table games, and poker room with 20 tables.5
Bally’s also has a 1,760-room hotel, restaurants, entertainment, spa, pool, shopping, and nightlife.6
RMS Is the Easiest Way to Get Your 30% Gaming Tax Back
Whether you win money at the slots, playing poker, betting on the horses, the lottery, or on a game show, if you’re a non-U.S. resident the IRS could withhold 30% of your winnings.
Substantial winnings, typically $1,200 and over, are taxed by the IRS at a rate of 30%. For example, if you win $5,000 playing the new skill-based video games in Atlantic City, the casino will only give you $3,500, the IRS keeps the rest.
But, if you live in a country like Canada, which has signed a U.S. tax treaty, you may be eligible for a refund. Moreover, RMS can help you reclaim a portion or all of your taxable winnings.
There are a number of countries that currently do not have a U.S. tax treaty. However, if you reside in any of the following countries, you could still be eligible for a refund: Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Mexico, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and the U.A.E.
Only RMS has the One Simple StepTM process. Our Customer Service Agents take care of the rest. That includes processing and submitting the paperwork to the IRS. It can take a minimum of one year for the IRS to review the claim and for RMS to receive the refund.
Contact RMS today by calling our toll-free number at 1-888-272-5559 or by emailing us at [email protected].
Sources:
1. “Skill-Based Slot Machines To Provide A Win-Win Situation For Casinos & Gaming Industry,” Trefis, May 26, 2015; http://www.trefis.com/stock/atvi/articles/297895/skill-based-slot-machines-to-provide-a-win-win-situation-for-casinos-gaming-industry/2015-05-26.
2. “Atlantic City casinos hope to find their future in a video arcade,” NorthJersey.com, September 27, 2016; http://www.northjersey.com/news/atlantic-city-casinos-hope-to-find-their-future-in-a-video-arcade-1.1667609.
3. “Hotel,” Harrah’s Atlantic City, last accessed September 28, 2016; https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-ac/hotel.
4. “Casino,” Caesars Atlantic City, last accessed September 28, 2016; https://www.caesars.com/caesars-ac/casino.
5. “Bally’s Atlantic City,” World Casino Directory, last accessed September 28, 2016; http://www.worldcasinodirectory.com/casino/bally-s-atlantic-city-2845.
6. “Things to Do,” Bally’s Atlantic City, last accessed September 28, 2016; https://www.caesars.com/ballys-ac/things-to-do.