Closing the Cardless Player Gap: How ExpressLane Uncovers Hidden Casino Insights

Unlock insights from 40% of casino guests who don’t use player cards with ExpressLane’s anonymous, privacy-first customer tracking.

April 17, 2025

In the casino industry, comprehensive data collection is critical for operational excellence, customer retention, and effective marketing strategies.

Player card systems have historically provided casinos with rich insights into customer behavior, facilitating targeted promotions and personalized experiences. However, roughly 40% of casino patrons choose not to use player cards, resulting in significant gaps in customer analytics. These patrons, while actively engaging in casino activities, leave behind minimal actionable data, challenging casino operators to accurately assess and improve overall operational and marketing strategies.

Addressing the Untracked Patron Challenge

Although effective, traditional player card systems inherently exclude a substantial portion of visitors who remain anonymous by choice. This lack of visibility into nearly half of a casino’s patrons restricts the accuracy of operational decision-making, diminishes marketing ROI, and limits the potential for personalized customer experiences. Industry experts recognize the critical nature of solving this challenge, noting:

“If you solve non-PII, uncarded player tracking, that’s the holy grail.”

ExpressLane's Approach: Privacy-Conscious Player Analytics

ExpressLane employs advanced spatio-temporal and re-identification computer vision technology to address the gap in analytics for cardless patrons. By utilizing existing surveillance infrastructure, ExpressLane anonymously monitors visitor movements through non-biometric visual identifiers such as clothing patterns, body shapes, and movement trajectories. This solution provides continuous tracking and detailed visitor profiles without employing facial recognition, mobile device data, or personally identifiable information (PII), ensuring compliance with privacy standards.

ExpressLane delivers casinos comprehensive insights including:

  • Visitor Dwell Time and Movement Patterns: Detailed analytics on guest interactions and traffic distribution throughout the casino.
  • Game Area Utilization: Identification of popular gaming zones to optimize layout and promotional efforts.
  • Operational Efficiency: Real-time detection of congestion and queue abandonment, facilitating proactive management.

Business Implications

Revenue Opportunities

Providing insights into previously untracked customer segments enables casinos to identify high-value anonymous patrons whose behaviors align with known VIP patterns, allowing targeted, timely customer engagement strategies.

Improved Operational Decision-Making

Enhanced visibility into all visitor traffic allows more accurate staffing forecasts, promotional timing adjustments, and strategic game placement, improving operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.

Commitment to Privacy

ExpressLane emphasizes a privacy-first approach by incorporating adjustable privacy controls such as facial blurring and full anonymization, aligning with stringent regulatory requirements while preserving the quality of analytical insights.

Enhancing Loyalty Systems

ExpressLane complements existing player card systems by providing insights into the previously invisible guest population. This combined approach yields a complete view of patron interactions and preferences, enabling casinos to effectively target both loyal card users and anonymous guests, ultimately converting casual visitors into dedicated patrons.

Interested in Learning More?

Discover how ExpressLane can enhance your casino’s analytical capabilities, optimize operations, and drive revenue growth—all while prioritizing guest privacy.

Book a demo today →

Hannah White

Chief Product Officer

Hannah is drawn to the intersection of AI, design, and real-world impact. Lately, that’s meant working on practical applications of computer vision in manufacturing, automotive, and retail. Outside of work, she volunteers at a local animal shelter, grows pollinator gardens, and hikes in Shenandoah. She also spends time in the studio making clay things or experimenting with fiber arts.

View Profile

Explore More from the Publication

Explore the Blog