Busy isn’t bonded. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to ask: are you building loyalty—or buying visits? If guests only show up when the offer is strong, you may be buying visits instead of building loyalty. You’ll spot five warning signs (from promo-first messaging to “rebate-style” loyalty) and get a practical 7-day reset to fix the leaks
Guest loyalty isn’t dead—it’s just evolved.
The most resilient regional casinos aren’t outspending competitors. They’re winning hearts through emotional connection and consistent brand experience.
If you’re ready to turn brand love into lasting casino brand loyalty, this is where it starts.
When budgets get tight, too many casinos start cutting in the worst possible place: the guest experience. In this conversation, customer service legend Shep Hyken joins Julia to explain why service still wins in casino marketing, even when players are impatient and promotions are under pressure. They dig into why saving customers’ time shows respect, how guests now compare your casino to the best experience they’ve had anywhere, and what it takes to make every player feel like your only customer. Shep also shares practical ways regional casinos can protect loyalty, build trust, and stand out without spending a fortune. If you care about guest experience, player reinvestment, and long-term revenue, this is a must-listen episode.
The idea of being a challenger brand can often be reduced to a shallow concept of David vs. Goliath, but this notion can often block market leaders from the nimble mindset of a challenger. In other words, although what follows could be a playbook for a small casino operator, large operators can also learn valuable lessons. Moreover, given the shift in consumer habits, it could be a valuable strategy for us all.
2026 marketing trends are full of buzzwords, but which ones actually move the needle for regional casinos? This guide breaks down six national trends and shows how to translate them into real results — without a big tech stack or Vegas-sized budget. From AI-powered personalization to lifecycle email automation and local influencer strategy, every trend includes regional use cases you can actually execute. Whether you’re leading a lean marketing team or managing multiple properties, you’ll walk away with smarter tactics to grow loyalty and visits. These are trends you can act on — not just admire.
As we enter 2026, casino marketers are facing evolving guest expectations, tighter wallets, and increasing competition—but also exciting new opportunities. This roundup highlights six pivotal trends that will shape strategy and success in the coming year, with expert insights from casino executives, analysts, and innovators. From emotional loyalty and AI adoption to the return of traditional media and value-based marketing, these are the ideas you need to stay ahead. Whether you’re leading a small regional team or operating a large resort, this is your guide to smarter, more human-centric marketing in 2026.
While some casinos coast into the holidays, a few are quietly shaping their 2026 success. This post lays out seven high-impact levers regional operators can pull right now—before Q1 chaos hits. From brand alignment to database cleanup, smarter promos, digital strategy, and cross-team clarity, this guide is built for the people doing the work, not just planning it. These aren’t New Year’s resolutions—they’re strategic moves with real payoff by February. If 2026 has aggressive goals or stretched teams, December is the month that separates casinos that lead from those that scramble.
The good news? You still have time.
Jeff Gray wants casino marketers to stop guessing and start operating with purpose. In this episode, we explore how Lean Thinking can help streamline your campaigns, reduce internal friction, and deliver real results—even with small teams and tight budgets. It’s about shifting the mindset from “move fast” to “move smart.” From metrics that matter to systems you didn’t know you needed, this one’s full of clarity. Perfect for the marketer who’s juggling everything but craving more control.
Looking for the perfect gift for a marketer? This updated 2025 guide has creative, useful ideas they’ll actually use — and never want to regift.