Talking About Green

No matter how many times you hear the term “green casino” it still sounds like an oxymoron.  In the past, casinos have not exactly been at the forefront of the green-living movement.  The perception has long been that casinos basically provide for every type of vice, no matter how wasteful or extravagant.  And in the past, this was largely true.  It is this image of utterly abandoning all responsibility that has long driven people into casinos to virtually throw their hard-earned money into the bank-vault behind the cage.  Of course there are still operations that embrace this wasteful attitude, but more and more, casino owners are looking for ways to cut costs and earn more, which often leads to eco-friendly initiatives.  After all, wasted assets equate to money down the drain, a dynamic that will make any casino-owner shudder with dread.  So how are casinos turning a new leaf?

1.       Lighting.  This is a biggie.  Most casinos are notorious for blocking out the sun as much as possible and relying on electrical lighting to stop patrons from realizing just how long they’ve been at the tables.  But that much energy costs a pretty penny, which is why newer buildings (or those being renovated) often include more windows and even skylights to cut down on the need for electrical lighting.  In addition, energy-efficient bulbs have become extremely popular since they suck less power and last longer.

2.       Water.  There are going to be a lot of toilets flushing and faucets running when you push drink after alcoholic drink on your patrons.  And most casinos include gardens and grounds that have to be kept green, as well as constantly-running water features.  This can lead to a lot of waste, so newer casinos are being built with their own waste management.  Waste water is cleaned and sanitized, then recycled for use on the ground or for other non-essential purposes, seriously reducing the amount of H2O that goes by the wayside.

3.       Air.  Anyone who has spent time in a casino and walked out smelling like an ashtray has some idea about the air quality that lingers within.  Even constantly running the AC doesn’t seem to solve the problem, largely because the issue revolves around ventilation rather than temperature.  But these days, casinos have found a green solution that allows them to turn off the AC and still provide for cleaner air.  The first step is an integrated circulation and filtration system.  Outside air is sucked into the casino and pushed through the floor.  It then rises, drawing smoke upwards and away from patrons, where it enters vents equipped with special filters.  The air is then forced back outside to complete the circuit.  Further, trees and plants around the building provide for clean oxygen coming into the casino, along with insulation against the elements.

4.       Power.  Believe it or not, more and more casinos are looking for ways to use alternative forms of energy in order to cut down on both electricity usage and utility bills.  To that end, many have installed solar panels (especially in sunny areas like Las Vegas) to offset their otherwise sky-high energy consumption.

5.       Materials.  Although older casinos are unlikely to tear down their buildings and start from scratch just to use greener materials (which would be wasteful in and of itself), many have chosen to use recycled materials for renovations, such as re-paving roads and parking lots around the casinos.  It may not sound like much, but every little bit helps.

Sarah Danielson writes for US Online Poker, one of the best online poker sites on the web today.