What is the Most Eco-Friendly Casino in the US?
By
Mike J. Davies
Editor in Chief at Casinos.US Updated: 06/09/2023
Mike is our Senior Editor and experienced gambling strategist. A former hockey player, he transitioned to the casino industry after finishing his B.A. in English. Blackjack systems, online casino guides, gambling terms, and more – Mike is familiar with all fine points of gambling.
The Most Eco-Friendly Casino
- Eco-Friendly Casinos in the US
- Sustainable Casino Innovations
- Turtle Creek Casino: Green Gaming
- Caesars Entertainment: CodeGreen
- Mandalay Bay: Leader in Sustainability
- Latest in Eco-Friendly Casino Tech
- Community Impact of Green Casinos
- Frequently Asked Questions
Advertising themselves as an eco-friendly casino may be a smart marketing move, but are casinos in the US actually doing anything besides making promises? We’ll find out in this blog!
We’ll also delve into casino-focused green practices, the latest eco-friendly technologies, and study the impact these eco-friendly measures have. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look into the world of sustainable gambling.
Eco-Friendly Casinos in the US
You’re probably thinking the ultimate in eco-friendly casinos are those that operate online. However, even those we feature in our PA online casinos review are not as eco-friendly as you think. While online casinos across the country use much less energy than land-based casinos, they are actually big energy consumers thanks to their massive data centers, and player and employee usage.
We’ve worked hard to find a few eco-friendly casinos in the US, but unfortunately, they’re still relatively rare. These casinos have implemented various eco-friendly initiatives to reduce their ecological footprint.
Throughout this blog, we’ll explore each casino’s unique sustainable initiatives, as well as emerging eco-friendly technologies in the industry and how casinos implementing these changes can benefit the environment and local communities.
Sustainable Casino Innovations
The demand for casinos to act responsibly towards the environment has led to the emergence of so-called sustainable casino innovations. Energy-efficient lighting, solar panels, and water-saving fixtures are some of these innovations. Not only do these eco-friendly measures help to reduce the environmental impact the casinos have, but they can also help the casino save money.
Using sustainable building materials is one thing land-based casinos need to think about when looking to limit their carbon footprint. For example, using recycled materials, such as reclaimed wood and recycled steel, alongside low-volatile organic compound paint can contribute substantially to preserving eco-friendliness without compromising on quality.
It’s also important for sustainable casinos to have an eco-friendly way of dealing with waste management and recycling. Where possible, as little non-decomposable rubbish should be used, and reusable or biodegradable solutions should be looked at instead.
Another notable sustainable casino innovation is eco-friendly energy management systems, which allow casinos to reduce their energy intake and carbon footprint. These technologies utilize industrial-grade sensors and smart software to optimize the use of electricity, water, and other utilities in real time.
Sustainable casinos in the US are also now using state-of-the-art control technology that monitors energy usage by tracking consumption in different areas of the casino. This allows casino operators to identify rooms with high energy usage so they can look at ways to improve in those areas.
Additionally, many casinos now incorporate greenery into their design – not just for aesthetic looks, but also because plants improve air quality naturally by removing pollutants from the air.
By adopting these sustainable innovations, casinos can provide an enjoyable gaming experience for their guests while demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability. Now, let’s take a look at some of the most eco-friendly casinos in the US!
Turtle Creek Casino: Green Gaming
Turtle Creek Casino is a great example of an eco-friendly casino taking steps to try and minimize its impact on the environment. The casino, which is located in northern Michigan, has spent a lot of money investing in green energy solutions.
What’s more, they’re one of the only casinos in the US to ignore the advice to remove windows from gambling areas – choosing instead to have huge windows to reduce electricity costs!
Another green feature – one which actually made headline news at the time – is the venue’s army of solar panels, which cover a large portion of its roof. This installation provides clean, renewable energy for the casino, meaning it can rely a lot less on fossil fuels. As a result, their carbon footprint has decreased significantly!
Apart from the installation of solar panels, the casino has developed other energy-conserving methods too. One of these involves using high-tech LED lights that consume less power than traditional lighting devices, alongside cost-effective heating and air conditioning systems which are controlled by smart thermostats. These measures reduce energy consumption, which translates to significant monetary savings.
Additionally, Turtle Creek Casino is dedicated to minimizing waste generation. To achieve this, it has put together rigorous recycling schemes aimed at reducing single-use plastic materials. As one of the most eco-conscious casinos in America, Turtle Creek Casino has set a high bar for other land-based casinos in the US to follow!
Caesars Entertainment’s: CodeGreen
In our opinion, it’s impressive how Caesars Entertainment has dealt with reducing its energy consumption, as they’ve managed to turn themselves into an almost fully eco-friendly casino. They’re clearly committed to the cause, and they’ve taken several measures, which are now implemented in all parts of their businesses.
One of their biggest initiatives is the CodeGreen program, which was founded in 2008. This focuses on raising environmental awareness among employees, as well as guests. Through this program, Caesars encourages its staff to participate in environmental conservation projects, such as tree planting and beach cleanups.
The CodeGreen program also monitors the effect the company’s properties have on the environment – research which is then used to improve on their yearly environmental targets. Arguably, Caesars Palace Online Casino in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia help to further reduce their carbon footprint across the board.
Caesars Entertainment has also invested in energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and low-flow water fixtures. These have resulted in significant energy and water savings, reducing the company’s overall environmental impact, while also saving them money in the process.
Mandalay Bay: Leader in Sustainability
Mandalay Bay is one of the biggest casinos in the world – making it all the more impressive that it’s decided to become a leader in the eco-friendly casino industry. The resort is home to the largest rooftop solar array in the US, spanning a staggering 640 acres and including 323,000 panels.
They’re located in the desert to the north of Las Vegas, and the company now produces so much green energy they can power their entire casino! Some have even claimed Mandalay Bay is the world’s biggest self-sufficient building in the hospitality industry.
Mandalay Bay has put together a rigorous recycling program, which includes turning all their food waste into compost, and recycling all glass, aluminum, and plastic. This has diverted a significant amount of waste away from landfills.
Water conservation is another thing Mandalay Bay has managed to improve. The resort has installed low-flow water fixtures, and they now have much more efficient irrigation systems, which has led to a greatly reduced need for water! These initiatives have allowed Mandalay Bay to become one of the leaders in the eco-friendly casino industry.
Latest in Eco-Friendly Casino Tech
In recent years, technological advancements have allowed companies, not just casinos, to greatly reduce their environmental impact. We’re now seeing some casino-specific technology and ideas emerge, including undoing some of the old psychological design tricks, such as removing windows – allowing for natural, sun-powered heat. However, there are some much more advanced technologies now, too.
One of the key aspects of this technology is the use of solar panels to harness renewable energy. By installing solar panels on their rooftops, casinos can generate their own power, which means they don’t need to rely on power from non-renewable sources. What’s more, more casinos are starting to install LED lights, as this not only reduces energy usage but also saves them money.
Another state-of-the-art technology we’re seeing used in eco-friendly casinos is smart energy management systems. These systems monitor and control energy usage throughout the facility round-the-clock, optimizing efficiency and reducing unnecessary energy consumption. Water-saving devices, such as low-flow toilets and sensor-based faucets can also contribute to reducing water consumption and waste, and the tech behind these systems is continually improving.
Here’s a table showcasing some of the eco-friendly technologies and their benefits:
| Eco-Friendly Technology | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Solar Panels | Renewable energy source, reduced emissions |
| LED Lighting | Energy-efficient, long-lasting |
| Energy Management | Optimized energy usage, waste reduction |
| Water-saving Devices | Reduced water consumption, less waste |
Community Impact of Green Casinos
Eco-friendly casinos are not only making strides in reducing their environmental impact but also in generating positive change within their local communities. When eco-friendly casinos implement more sustainable approaches, the benefits can often be seen not just in the casino, but also in the local communities.
For example, sustainable casino resorts help to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Their use of renewable energy sources and energy-efficient systems significantly lowers their carbon footprint. As a result, the surrounding community can breathe cleaner air, improving public health. While studies about casinos specifically are yet to be carried out, there’s definitely no harm in these changes.
Casinos are also increasingly investing in sustainable infrastructure that requires the expertise of skilled workers to properly install and maintain. Naturally, this creates job opportunities and stimulates the growth of green technology industries in their respective communities.
Also worth noting is that environmentally friendly casinos often run community programs – tree planting and recycling drives, for example – that can educate local communities and help the environment. There’s clearly still a lot more to be done, but the steps being taken by the casinos we’ve shown you are great steps in the right direction!
