Robots and artificial intelligence in Las Vegas: new trends in the gambling industry

Just a few years ago, an article on gambling development predicted that between 40% and 60% Las Vegas casino jobs would be automated by 2035. Not three years after that article was published, many restaurants, bars, and gambling establishments in Southern Nevada began utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to perform a variety of important tasks.

In this connection, even the so-called "Culinary Union" (a kind of trade union), which represents the interests of more than 60,000 people employed in the service sector, has become concerned. The representatives of the Union are going to develop a document to protect workers from AI, which will deprive many employees of their jobs.

Today, some establishments in Las Vegas can already see robots replacing bartenders as well as security guards. Back in the spring of 2023, TikTok posted a video from one of the bar's visitors in which a mechanical arm mixes a cocktail in a glass. The clip was accompanied by a comment about the robot making the cocktail. There are already two robotic bars open in the city. Today, they cannot yet compete with traditional establishments, but this is expected in the near future.

Another example is the M Resort Spa & Casino hotel-casino in Henderson (a town near Las Vegas). Here, a robot guard has been used in the parking lot for several months. A special device runs around the parking lot and detects violations with the help of 50 sensors and cameras.

At the same time, many employees of the gambling industry believe that robots and AI will not be able to fully replace live workers. Many employees have established trusting relationships with regular customers, who are happy to communicate with the staff. As a result, the atmosphere in the institution is very cordial. Robots can't do that. At least, not yet.