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Millennial!Entertainment!
Preferences!Study!
Final!Report!8!July!2016!!

Jane!Bokunewicz,!PhD!!
Assistant!Professor!!
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Supported!by!!
Rummy!Pandit,!MBA,!LPD,!CHA!
Executive!Director!!!!!!
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Contents!
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Executive!Summary!……………………………………………………………………!

Page!3!!

Introduction!………………………………………………………………………………!!

Page!4!

Methodology!…………………………………………………..…………………………!

Page!6!

Demographics!!..…………………………………….………….………………………..!

Page!8!

Activities!………………………………...…...…………………………….………………!!

Page!11!

Percentage!of!Budget!………………………………………………………..………..!

Page!14!

Accommodations!…….………………….………………………………………..…....!!

Page!17!

Length!of!Stay!and!Planning!Horizon!…..……………...……………….….….!

Page!19!

Gambling!Behavior!and!Perceptions!8!Slots!……………....………..….…...!

Page!20!

Gambling!Behavior!8!Table!Games!……………….……………………….……!

Page!24!

Video!Gamers!and!Gambling!Perceptions!and!Behavior!………….….!

Page!26!

Atlantic!City!as!a!Destination!………………………………………….…………!

Page!29!

Appendix!A!–!Focus!Group!Questions!!
Appendix!B!–!Survey!Instrument!
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2!

 Executive'Summary'
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This!study!focused!on!identifying!the!entertainment,!accommodation!and!amenity!
preferences!of!the!millennial!generation!as!well!as!video!game!and!casino!gambling!
behavior.!!It!included!two!focus!groups!and!a!quantitative!survey.!!
• Activities!!
o 667!surveys!were!collected!with!503!completing!the!entire!survey!!
o Respondents!were!from!22!states!with!most!from!NJ,!NY!and!PA!
o Millennials!view!drinking!activities!as!more!important!than!non8millennials!!
o Public!Transportation!is!important!to!millenials!!
o Gambling!was!more!important!to!non8millenials!(42%!to!21%)!
o Casual!restaurants!were!important!to!both!groups!(80%)!
o Millennials!reported!spending!only!8.5%!of!their!total!budget!on!gambling!
compared!to!23.5%!of!non8millennials!
o If!money!was!not!a!concern!50%!of!millennials!would!increase!spending!on!
bars!and!nightclubs!compared!to!17%!non8millennials!!
o 35%!of!millennials!would!increase!spending!on!gambling!compared!to!50%!
non8millennials!!
• Accommodations!
o Free!Wi8Fi!and!Midscale!hotels!were!the!most!important!considerations!in!both!
groups!
o Millennials!cited!Economy!hotels!as!important!and!non8millennials!cited!Luxury!
hotels!!
o Millennials!are!more!open!to!the!sharing!economy.!!28%!of!millennials!cited!
Airbnb!as!important!compared!to!6%!of!non8millennials!!
o 33%!of!both!groups!listed!“all!inclusive”!pricing!as!important!!
• Gambling!Behavior!!
o 44%!of!millennials!play!slot!machines!compared!to!72%!of!non8millennials!!
o More!Millennials!prefer!to!play!with!family!and!friends,!more!non8millennials!
prefer!to!play!alone!
o All!groups!expressed!an!interest!in!adding!an!element!of!skill!to!slots!
o 40%!of!respondents!who!do!not!currently!play!slots!would!play!if!there!was!an!
element!of!skill,!38!%!if!they!could!play!in!a!group!
o 57%!of!millennials!play!table!games!compared!to!58%!of!non8millennials!
• Video!Games!!
o 38%!of!millenials!play!video!games!compared!to!29%!of!non8millennials!!
o Millennials!prefer!shooter!games!and!non8millenials!puzzle!and!casual!games!!
o Those!who!play!video!games!are!slightly!more!interested!in!slots!with!an!
element!of!skill!!
• Atlantic!City!as!a!Destination!
o 84%!of!millennials!view!AC!positively!or!neutral!vs.!89%!non8millennials!!
o 91%!of!those!who!have!visited!AC!view!it!positively!or!neutral!compared!to!74%!
of!those!who!haven’t!visited!!
o AC!was!too!far!from!home!for!many!respondents!followed!by!too!expensive,!lack!
of!diversity!in!activities!and!negative!reputation!

!

3!

 Introduction!
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According!to!the!Pew!Research!Center,!the!millennial!generation!(born!roughly!
between!1980!and!2000)!has!now!surpassed!the!baby!boomers!(born!1946!–!1964)!in!
size1!(see!below).!!The!gap!is!projected!to!widen!at!a!sharp!pace!each!year!into!the!
future.!This!is!of!importance!to!the!casino!industry!because!millennial’s!entertainment!
preferences!are!different!than!the!baby!boomers,!which!have!been!the!primary!target!
market!of!the!industry.!!

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The!millennial!generation!is!demonstrating!different!behavior!regarding!
casino!gambling!than!Baby!Boomers!and!the!Silent!Generation!(born!1928!–!1945).!!
For!example,!a!recent!Las!Vegas!Convention!and!Visitor!Bureau!survey2!revealed!the!
following!
• Only!63%!of!millennials!that!Visited!Las!Vegas!in!2014!gambled!
• 78%!Baby!Boomers!!
• 87%!Silent!Generation!!
• 42%!of!millennials!used!Social!Media!to!Plan!trip!!
• 18%!Baby!Boomers!!
• 51%!Planned!their!trip!1!month!in!advance!!
• 39%!of!Baby!Boomers!!
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1!http://www.pewresearch.org/fact8tank/2016/04/25/millennials8overtake8baby8
boomers/!
2!http://www.hotelnewsresource.com/pdf15/HVS1103151.pdf!
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4!

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The!Levenson!Institute!of!Gaming,!Hospitality!and!Tourism!(LIGHT)!has!
received!funding!from!four!casinos,!including!Borgata!Hotel!Casino!and!Spa,!
Tropicana!Casino!and!Resort,!Resorts!Casino!Hotel,!Harrah’s!Resort!and!the!Casino!
Reinvestment!Development!Authority!(CRDA)!to!research!the!entertainment!
preferences!of!the!millennial!generation.!The!study!consisted!of!two!focus!groups!and!
an!on8line!survey!distributed!through!social!media.!!The!goal!of!the!study!was!to!help!
understand!the!changing!preferences!and!behavior!of!this!important!cohort.!!
Specifically,!the!study!focused!on!identifying!the!entertainment,!accommodation,!and!
amenity!preferences!of!the!millennial!generation!as!well!as!video!game!and!casino!
gambling!behavior.!!The!study!sought!to!not!only!understand!current!preferences!and!
behavior!of!millennials!but!also!to!understand!how!their!behavior!may!change!with!
technology!enhancements!and!increases!in!disposable!income.!!!
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5!

 Methodology'
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The!methodology!for!the!study!was!developed!using!feedback!from!
participating!casino!executives!and!focus!groups!of!men!and!women!in!the!age!group!
of!the!millennial!generation.!!!
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Two!focus!groups!were!conducted!to!gain!an!understanding!of!the!thought!
processes!of!millennials!in!deciding!on!single!day!entertainment!experiences!and!
overnight!or!multi8night!travel.!!One!group!was!comprised!of!participants!in!their!
early!20’s!and!the!other!late!20’s!and!early!30’s.!!!The!groups!were!asked!a!series!of!
open8ended!questions!designed!to!generate!spontaneous!comments!about!choosing!
entertainment!options.!!(See!appendix!A).!!The!information!gathered!in!the!focus!
group!meetings!was!used!to!develop!the!questions!for!the!on8line!survey.!!!
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Some!key!discoveries!revealed!in!the!focus!groups!were!as!follows:!
•
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Dinner!and!drinks!seemed!to!be!a!very!popular!choice!for!entertainment!
among!the!late!20’s!early!30’s!group!
Dancing!and!nightclub!was!a!popular!choice!among!early!20’s!
Gambling!was!not!mentioned!by!participants!until!they!were!specifically!asked!!
Availability!of!public!transportation!was!very!important!in!arranging!a!night!
out!because!of!concerns!about!drinking!and!driving!
Respondents!wanted!to!spend!the!least!amount!on!hotel!accommodations!and!
more!on!entertainment!experiences!!
“All!inclusive”!was!raised!as!a!consideration!in!travel!arrangements!
Looking!for!destinations!with!multiple!entertainment!options!
Video!gamers!thought!slot!machines!were!boring!and!simplistic!compared!to!
what!they!experience!
Video!games!can!be!classified!into!different!types!of!games!and!gamers!often!
have!a!preference!of!one!type!of!game!!
An!element!of!skill!would!make!slot!machines!more!attractive!
Because!of!information!overload!on!social!media!sites,!a!very!attractive!
incentive!and!advertisement!must!be!used!to!get!people!to!complete!the!survey!

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An!on8line!survey!was!created!based!on!the!information!obtained!in!the!focus!
groups!using!the!on8line!survey!tool!Survey!Monkey.!!(See!appendix!B).!!!It!consisted!
of!27!questions!with!logic!to!skip!irrelevant!questions!depending!on!respondent’s!
answers.!!
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6!

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The!survey!link!was!distributed!on!Social!Media!offering!an!incentive!of!one!
entry!into!a!sweepstakes!for!an!Apple!Watch.!!An!additional!entry!was!offered!for!
those!who!shared!the!survey.!!The!post!was!initiated!on!the!Stockton!University!
Facebook!Page!in!the!visitors!post!section.!!It!was!shared!on!the!Facebook!pages!of!
LIGHT,!the!Stockton!Career!Center,!the!participating!casinos!and!various!friends!and!
family!of!people!involved!in!the!research!project.!!It!was!also!posted!on!Twitter.!!
Facebook!and!Twitter!ads!were!purchased!to!promote!the!post.!!
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Because!this!analysis!studied!preferences!of!many!activities!only!available!to!
persons!older!than!21,!for!purposes!of!this!study,!millennials!are!classified!as!those!
persons!between!the!ages!of!21!and!35!as!of!2016.!!Non8millenials!are!those!persons!
over!the!age!of!35!as!of!2016.!!
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7!

 Demographics'
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667!surveys!were!collected!between!May!9!and!June!27,!2016.!!503!
participants!completed!the!entire!survey!including!demographic!data,!which!was!at!
the!end!of!the!survey.!!!Survey!respondents!were!from!22!states!with!the!largest!
number!of!responses!from!New!Jersey,!followed!by!New!York!and!Pennsylvania.!!169!
surveys!did!not!include!a!valid!zip!code!or!zip!code!was!not!entered.!The!following!
charts!show!number!of!respondents!by!state,!gender,!age,!education,!relationship!
status,!personal!income!and!race.!!
Number!of!
State!!
Respondents!!
New!Jersey!
256!
Blank!or!invalid!
169!
New!York!!
92!
Pennsylvania!!
56!
Massachusetts!!
26!
Florida!!
15!
DC!!
6!
Maryland!
6!
California!
6!
Washington!
5!
Delaware!!
4!
Connecticut!!
4!
North!Carolina!
4!
Illinois!
4!
Michigan!!
3!
Texas!!
3!
Arizona!
2!
Iowa!
1!
Missouri!
1!
Louisiana!
1!
New!Hampshire!
1!
Maine!
1!
Wisconsin!
1!
Total!!
667!
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8!

 Gender''

510'respondents'

Male!!
34%!
Female!!
66%!

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Age''

Millennials'shown'in'Blue''
200!
150!
100!
50!
0!
Number!of!People!

Not!
Under!21!
Reported!!
160!

29!

21825!

26830!

31835!

Over!35!

181!

87!

49!

161!

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Education''

503'respondents''
300!
250!
200!
150!
100!
50!
0!
Number!of!People!!

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High!
School!
77!

Associate! Bachelors!
Masters!! Doctorate!!
Degree!! Degree!
61!

257!

74!

23!

Other!!
11!

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9!

 Relationship'Status'
503'Respondents''

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200!
150!
100!
50!
0!
Number!of!People!!

Single!!

Married!!

Engaged!!

172!

168!

19!

In!a!
Its!
Relationship!! Complicated!!
134!

10!

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Personal'Income''
493'Respondents'

$150,000!or!more!!
$100,000!8!$149,999!
$90,000!8!$99,999!
$80,000!8!$89,999!
$70,000!8!$79,999!
$60,000!8!$69,999!
$50,000!8!$59,999!
$40,000!8!$49,999!
$30,000!8!$39,999!
$20,000!8!$29,999!
Less!than!$20,000!

Number!of!People!!

0!

20!

40!

60!

80! 100! 120! 140! 160!

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Race''

505'Respondents'
500!
400!
300!
200!
100!
0!
White!!
Number!of!People!!

412!

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African!
Hispanic!! American!!
24!

15!

Asian!!

Pacilic!
Islander!

Other!!

43!

1!

10!

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10!

 Activities'
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Questions!about!the!importance!of!activities!in!planning!entertainment!
experiences!revealed!some!interesting!differences!between!millennials!and!non8
millennials.!!
!
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Millennials!in!the!study!clearly!felt!that!drinking!activities!including!bars,!
lounges,!nightclubs,!and!happy!hours!were!more!important!than!did!their!non8
millennial!counterparts!(See!Table!1).!!!Because!of!the!importance!of!drinking!
activities,!it!is!not!surprising!that!more!millennials!rated!public!transportation!as!
important!(33%)!vs.!non8millennials(11%).!This!supports!comments!made!by!
millennial!focus!group!participants!who!felt!that!public!transportation!was!important!
because!of!concerns!about!not!drinking!and!driving.!!!!
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Conversely,!gambling!was!more!important!to!non8millennials.!42%!of!non8
millennials!rated!gambling!as!an!important!activity!compared!to!only!21%!of!
millennials.!!Out!of!the!list!of!28!activities!in!the!survey,!gambling!ranked!21st!!in!
importance!for!millennials!and!7th!in!importance!for!non8millennials.!!
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Casual!restaurants!were!the!activity!most!often!cited!as!important!by!both!
groups!(approximately!80%!of!respondents).!!This!ranked!first!in!the!list!of!28!
activities.!Beaches!also!ranked!high!in!importance!to!both!groups!with!57%!of!
millennials!and!65%!of!non8millennials!listing!it!as!important.!!Beaches!ranked!4th!in!
importance!for!millennials!and!2nd!in!importance!for!non8millennials.!!!
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Results!were!similar!for!the!importance!of!activities!for!overnight!or!multi8
night!entertainment!experiences!(See!Table!2).!!!
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The!overwhelming!importance!of!casual!restaurants!by!both!groups!is!
important!to!note!for!casinos!and!support!businesses!when!selecting!restaurant!
tenants!or!when!designing!their!own!restaurant!concepts.!!Casinos!who!provide!
complimentary!food!and!beverage!to!regular!customers!often!favor!fine!dining!but!it!
is!important!to!keep!in!mind!the!popularity!of!casual!restaurants!in!order!to!attract!
new!customers.!!
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Atlantic!City’s!Jitney!system!is!a!unique!form!of!affordable,!reliable!public!
transportation!that!could!potentially!be!promoted!to!attract!millenials.!!!Additionally!
it!is!important!for!the!city!to!recognize!the!popular!ride!sharing!service!Uber!as!a!
legitimate!public!transportation!system!that!is!important!in!order!to!attract!
millennials.!!City!officials!should!be!conscious!of!this!importance!and!work!with!Uber!
to!allow!them!to!operate!efficiently!in!the!city!without!creating!barriers!to!entry.!!
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 Table!1.!!

What'activities'are'important'to'you'
when'planning'a'day'or'night'out'for'
entertainment?''
317'millenials'K'161'over'35'
'

Casual!Restaurants!
Bars!and!Lounges!
Happy!Hours!!
Beaches!!
Concerts!!
Fine!Dining!!
Shopping!!
Night!Clubs!
Beach/Pool!Bars!!
Sports!Bars!!
Public!Transportation!!
Museums!!
Live!Theater!
Sporting!Events!
Hiking!!
Cultural!Events!!

Over!35!!
Millennials!!

Amusement!Parks!!
Comedy!Club!!
Wine!Bars!!
Quick!Service!Restaurants!
Gambling!!
Camping!!
Art!Galleries!!
Day!Spas!
LGBTQ!Clubs!
Video!Gaming!Events!
LGBTQ!Events!
Hunting!!
0%! 10%!20%!30%!40%!50%!60%!70%!80%!90%!

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12!

 Table!2.!!

What'activities'are'important'to'you'
when'planning'an'overnight/multiKnight'
entertainment'experience?'
317'millennials'K'161'over'35'
'

Casual!Restaurants!
Bars!and!Lounges!
Beaches!!
Fine!Dining!!
Happy!Hours!!
Shopping!!
Concerts!!
Beach/Pool!Bars!!
Night!Clubs!
Museums!!
Quick!Service!Restaurants!
Sports!Bars!!
Cultural!Events!!
Public!Transportation!!
Sporting!Events!
Amusement!Parks!!

Over!35!
Millennials!!

Live!Theater!
Wine!Bars!!
Comedy!Club!!
Hiking!!
Day!Spas!
Gambling!!
Camping!!
Art!Galleries!!
Golf!
LGBTQ!Clubs!
Video!Gaming!Events!
LGBTQ!Events!
Hunting!!
0%! 10%! 20%! 30%! 40%! 50%! 60%! 70%! 80%! 90%!

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13!

 Percent'of'Budget'
'
'
Feedback!received!from!casino!executives!indicated!a!desire!to!understand!
whether!or!not!any!generational!differences!in!spending!patterns!may!be!the!result!of!
having!more!disposable!income!in!later!years.!!To!try!to!better!understand!the!
differences,!survey!respondents!were!asked!to!describe!the!current!percent!of!their!
entertainment!budget!that!they!spend!on!transportation,!hotel,!dining,!bars,!shopping!
and!gambling.!!They!were!subsequently!asked!“if!money!were!not!a!concern,!on!which!
activities!would!you!increase!spending?”!
!
!
On!average,!the!highest!percentage!of!current!budget!was!spent!on!hotel!
expenses!followed!by!dining!for!both!groups!(See!Table!3).!Millennials!reported!
spending!the!lowest!percentage!of!their!budget!on!gambling!(8.5%)!compared!to!
23.5%!for!non8millennials.!!!
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Table!3.!

When'you'visit'a'destination'what'percent'of'
your'budget'is'spent'on'each'of'the'
following?'
Average'is'shown'
317'Millennials'K'161'Over'35'

40.0%!
35.0%!
30.0%!
25.0%!
20.0%!
15.0%!
10.0%!
5.0%!
0.0%!

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!
!

!

Transportati
on!!

Hotel!!

Dining!!

Bars/Night!
Clubs!

Shopping!!

Gambling!!

Millennials!

15.2%!

35.9%!

23.3%!

12.9%!

9.2%!

8.5%!

Over!35!!

14.5%!

32.0%!

24.3%!

12.5%!

12.9%!

23.5%!

!

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14!

'

 !
Generational!differences!were!also!found!regarding!where!respondents!said!
they!would!increase!spending!if!money!was!not!a!concern!(See!Table!4).!!50%!of!
millennials!said!they!would!increase!spending!on!Bars!and!Nightclubs!compared!to!
only!17%!of!non8millennials.!!One!encouraging!finding!for!the!gaming!industry!is!that!
35%!of!millennials!reported!that!they!would!increase!their!spending!on!gambling.!!
Although!this!is!still!less!then!the!50%!of!non8millennials!who!said!they!would!spend!
more!on!gambling,!it!suggests!that!this!generation!has!the!potential!to!increase!their!
gambling!spending!as!their!earnings!increase!as!they!mature.!!
!
Table!4.!!

If'money'was'not'a'concern'on'which'
activities'would'you'increase'spending?''
317'Millennials'K'161'Over'35'
90%!
80%!
70%!
60%!
50%!
40%!
30%!
20%!
10%!
0%!

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!
!
!

Transportati
on!!

Gambling!!

Bars!and!
Nightclubs!!

Shopping!!

Hotel!!

Dining!

Millennials!!

26%!

35%!

50%!

63%!

69%!

77%!

Over!35!

16%!

50%!

17%!

54%!

57%!

65%!

!

15!

'

 !
When!responses!to!this!question!are!further!broken!down!into!narrower!age!
ranges!it!seems!that!the!percentage!indicating!they!would!spend!more!on!gambling!
increases!in!the!higher!age!groups!(See!Table!5).!!!55%!of!respondents!between!31!–!
35!years!of!age!indicated!they!would!increase!spending!on!gambling!if!money!was!not!
a!concern!compared!to!33%!for!those!between!26!and!30!and!30%!for!those!between!
21!and!25.!!
'
Table!5.!!

Would'spend'more'on'gambling'if'
money'was'not'a'concern'
'
'
60%!
50%!
40%!
30%!
20%!
10%!
0%!
Would!spend!more!on!
gambling!!

21!8!25!

26!8!30!

31!8!35!

over!35!

30%!

33%!

55%!

50%!

'
'
'
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'
'
'
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'
'
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'
'
'
'
!

'

16!

 Accommodations'
'
'
Both!groups!responded!similarly!in!that!free!WIFI!was!the!number!one!
accommodation/amenity!most!cited!as!important!when!planning!an!overnight/multi8
night!experience,!followed!by!midscale!hotels!(See!Table!6).!!Generational!differences!
were!found!however!in!the!number!of!respondents!citing!luxury!and!economy!hotels!
as!important.!!Economy!hotels!are!more!important!to!millennials!and!luxury!hotels!
are!more!important!to!non8millennials!over!35.!!
!
!
Millennials!seem!more!open!to!the!sharing!economy!than!their!non8millennial!
counterparts!over!age!35.!!28%!of!millennials!cited!Airbnb,!the!apartment!sharing!
app,!as!important!compared!to!only!6%!of!non8millennials.!!Public!transportation!was!
also!viewed!as!more!important!by!millennials.!!35%!of!millennials!cited!it!as!an!
important!consideration!when!planning!an!overnight!experience!compared!to!only!
7%!of!non8millennials.!!!!

!

!

One!interesting!finding!regarding!accommodations!was!the!percentage!of!
respondents!in!both!groups!(33%)!that!listed!“all!inclusive!resort”!as!important!when!
selecting!a!destination.!!The!“all!inclusive”!concept!was!discussed!in!the!focus!groups!
with!several!participants!saying!they!would!be!more!likely!to!gamble!if!they!were!at!a!
location!with!all!inclusive!pricing!because!they!wouldn’t!have!to!worry!about!having!
enough!money!for!other!activities.!This!is!a!pricing!strategy!that!is!not!typically!
utilized!in!US!casino!resorts.!!All8inclusive!pricing!could!be!a!potential!opportunity!for!
the!industry!to!explore!to!attract!new!customers.!!
!
!
There!is!an!opportunity!for!the!popularity!of!Airbnb!to!encourage!development!
in!Atlantic!City.!!!In!other!cities!like!Boston,!San!Francisco!and!others,!investors!buy!
condos!and!apartments!and!renovate!them!with!the!specific!purpose!of!renting!them!
on!Airbnb.!!Additionally!private!home!8owners!may!renovate!a!room!in!their!home!for!
the!same!purpose.!!The!investment!and!renovation!of!older!buildings!would!be!a!
benefit!to!Atlantic!City,!as!well!as!making!additional!rooms!available!for!visitors!
during!peak!days!when!the!city!is!at!capacity.!!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!

!

17!

 Table!6.!!

What'accommodations/amenities'are'important'to'
you'when'selecting'a'location'for'an'overnight/
multiple'night'entertainment'experience?''
317'millennials'K'161'over'35'
Free!WiFi!
Midscale!Hotels!!
Parking!!
Economy!Hotels!!
Public!Transportation!
All!Inclusive!Resort!
Over!35!!

Outdoor!Pools!!

Millennials!!
Indoor!Pools!!
Luxury!Hotels!!
AirBnB!
Short!Driving!Distance!
Bed!and!Breakfast!
WiFi!
0%! 10%! 20%! 30%! 40%! 50%! 60%! 70%! 80%!

!
!
!
!
!

!

!
'
!

18!

 Length'of'Stay'
'
!
The!most!often!cited!typical!length!of!stay!for!a!multi8night!trip!by!both!groups!
(61%)!is!two!nights!(See!Table!7).!!Slightly!more!millennials!reported!a!one8night!stay!
as!typical,!(i.e.!44%!compared!to!32%!of!non8millennials).!''
'
!!Table!7.!!

Typical'length'of'Stay''
317'Millennials'K'161'over'35'

70%!
60%!
50%!
40%!
30%!
20%!
10%!
0%!
One!Night!!

Two!
Nights!!

Three!
Nights!!

Four!
Nights!!

One!Week!

More!than!
One!Week!

Millennials!

44%!

61%!

23%!

6%!

8%!

3%!

Over!35!

32%!

61%!

16%!

6%!

10%!

1%!

!
!

!

The!two!groups!responded!similarly!with!regard!to!how!far!in!advance!they!
make!arrangements!for!an!overnight/multi8night!trip!(See!Table!8).!!!Most!
respondents!in!each!group!make!arrangements!one!month!or!more!in!advance.!!

!

Table!8.!!

How'far'in'advance'do'you'typically'
make'arrangements'for'an'overnight/
multiKnight'trip?''
317'Millennials'K'161'over'35'

50%!
40%!
30%!
20%!
10%!
0%!

!

Less!than!1!
week!!

182!Weeks!!

283!Weeks!!

1!month!!

>!1!month!!

Millennials!!

4%!

16%!

22%!

25%!

33%!

Over!35!!

7%!

13%!

19%!

21%!

39%!

19!

 Gambling'Behavior'and'Perceptions'K'Slots!
'
!
Although!gambling!may!be!considered!low!in!importance!and!a!small!
percentage!of!budget!for!millennials,!it!is!encouraging!to!note!that!44%!of!them!still!
report!playing!slot!machines!(See!Table!9).!Of!some!concern!is!that!while!this!is!a!
fairly!high!percentage,!it!is!substantially!lower!then!the!72%!of!non8millennials!over!
age!35!in!the!study!who!report!playing!slots.!!
!
!!!!!!!Table!9.!!

Plays'Slot'Machines'

126'unspeciUied'K'29'under'21'K'317'millennials'K'161'over'35''
80%!
70%!
60%!
50%!
40%!
30%!
20%!
10%!
0%!
Percent!

Unspecilied!

Under!21!

Millennials!

Over!35!

50%!

10%!

45%!

72%!

'
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!

'

!

20!

 !
Little!variation!was!found!in!the!types!of!slot!machines!preferred!by!the!
different!generations!(See!Table!10).!Of!those!respondents!who!report!playing!slot!
machines,!the!most!popular!type!of!slot!machine!in!both!groups!is!penny!slots.!!86%!
of!millennials!report!playing!pennies!and!70%!of!non8millennials.!!!Quarters!were!also!
popular!with!both!groups!but!slightly!more!popular!with!non8millennials.!63%!of!
millennials!and!72%!of!non8millennials!reported!that!they!play!quarters.!!Millennials!
seem!slightly!more!interested!in!TV!or!movie!themed!slots:!50%!of!millennials!play!
TV!or!movie!themed!slots!compared!to!39%!of!non8millennials.!!
'
Table!10.!!

What'types'of'slot'machines'do'you'
play?''
144'Millennials'K'116'Over'35'''
Penny!
Quarter!!
TV!or!Movie!Theme!
Video!!
Bonus!Round!!

Over!35!!

Dollar!!

Millennials!

Reel!!
Poker!!
High!Denom!
Community!!
0%!

!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!

!

!

20%!

40%!

60%!

'

80%!

100%!

'

21!

 !
There!is!a!notable!difference!in!the!way!that!each!generation!prefers!to!play!
slot!machines!(See!Table!11).!!Of!those!who!report!playing!slots,!more!millennials!
prefer!to!play!with!friends!and!family!while!more!non8millennials!prefer!to!play!alone.!!
This!suggests!that!a!social!aspect!to!gaming!is!desirable.!!This!is!further!supported!in!
the!response!to!the!question!about!emerging!slot!machine!design!changes.!!
!
Table!11.!!

How'do'you'prefer'to'play'slot'
machines?'
144'Millennials'K'116'Over'35'''
100%!
80%!
60%!
40%!
20%!
0%!
Alone!!

Friends!or!
Family!

Tournaments!!

Community!
Games!!

Millennials!!

48%!

83%!

4%!

1%!

Over!35!

70%!

62%!

11%!

0%!

!

!

!
All!groups!expressed!an!interest!in!slot!machines!with!an!element!of!skill!
and/or!a!social!dimension!(See!Table!12).!Millennials!had!the!highest!percentage!of!
respondents!expressing!this!interest.!!!Lesser!interest!was!expressed!in!interacting!
with!a!game!using!a!joystick!and!a!simpler!design.!!
!
Table!12.!!

Would'you'play'slot'machines'if'they'
had'any'of'the'following'features?'
160'unspeciUied'K'317'millennials'K'161'over'35'
Element!of!skill!
Play!with!group!!

Unspecilied!!

Play!against!others!

Over!35!!

Joystick!!

Millennials!!

Simpler!Design!
0%!

!
!

10%!

20%!

30%!

40%!

50%!

Perhaps!one!of!the!most!interesting!and!encouraging!findings!of!the!study!is!
22!

 that!of!those!who!currently!do!not!play!slot!machines,!a!high!percentage!would!play!
slots!if!they!had!these!new!design!features.!!40%!of!respondents!who!do!not!currently!
play!slot!machines!reported!that!they!would!play!if!the!games!had!an!element!of!skill.!
33%!would!play!if!they!could!play!in!a!group!and!28%!would!play!if!they!could!play!
against!others.!!!

!

Table!13.!

307'respondents'who'do'not'currently'
play'slots,'would'play'if'the'slot'
included:'''
Element!of!skill!
Play!with!group!!
Play!against!others!
Joystick!!
Simpler!Design!
0%!

!
!

!

5%!

10%!

15%!

20%!

25%!

30%!

35%!

40%!

45%!

!

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23!

 Gambling'Perceptions'and'Behavior'–'Table'Games'
!
!
More!millennials!reported!playing!table!games!than!playing!slot!machines!(See!
Table!14).!!!57%!of!millennials!in!the!study!reported!playing!tables!compared!to!44%!
of!millennials!who!reported!playing!slots.!!Although!there!was!a!large!difference!
between!millennials!and!non8millennials!in!their!slot!play!behavior!they!responded!
similarly!in!regards!to!playing!tables.!58%!of!non8millennials!over!35!in!the!study!
report!playing!tables!compared!to!57%!of!millennials.!!!
'
!!!!!!!Table!14.!

Plays'Casino'Games'

160'unspeciUied'K'29'under'21'K'317'millennials'K'161'Over'35''
70%!
60%!
50%!
40%!
30%!
20%!
10%!
0%!
Percent!!

!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!

Unspecilied!

Under!21!!

Millennials!!

Over!35!!

36%!

31%!

57%!

58%!

'

!

24!

 !

The!most!popular!table!games!among!both!groups!are!Black!Jack!and!Roulette!
followed!by!Poker!(See!Table!15).!!!Millennials!seem!more!open!to!playing!electronic!
style!table!games.!28%!of!millennials!who!play!table!games!report!playing!electronic!
table!games!compared!to!only!14%!of!non8millennials.!There!also!is!a!notable!
difference!in!the!generations!regarding!fantasy!sports!with!25%!of!millennials!
reporting!they!play!vs.!only!14%!of!non8millennials.!!
!
Table!15.!!

Of'Those'Who'Play'Tables''
182'millennials'K'94'over'35'

Black!Jack!!
Roulette!
Poker!!
Electronic!Table!Games!!
Fantasy!Sports!!

Over!35!!

Craps!!

Millennnials!!

Sports!Betting!!
Big!Wheel!!
Internet!Gaming!!
Baccarat!
0%!

10%! 20%! 30%! 40%! 50%! 60%!

!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!

!

!

!

25!

 Video'Gamers'Behavior'and'Perceptions'
'
!
!There!is!a!slight!variation!between!the!age!groups!concerning!whether!or!not!
they!play!video!games!(See!Table!16).!!38%!of!millennials!in!the!study!report!playing!
video!games,!compared!to!29%!of!non8millennials!over!35,!and!35%!for!those!under!
21.!
!
Table'16.''

Do'you'play'multiKplayer'video'
games?'
160'unspeciUied'K'29'under'21'K'316'millennials'K'160'over'35'
!
45%!
40%!
35%!
30%!
25%!
20%!
15%!
10%!
5%!
0%!
Percent!!

!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!

!

!
!

Unspecilied!!

Under!21!

Millennials!!

Over!35!!

41%!

35%!

38%!

29%!

'

26!

 !
Although!there!is!only!a!slight!variation!among!the!generations!regarding!
whether!or!not!they!play!video!games!there!is!a!notable!difference!in!the!types!of!
video!games!that!they!play(See!Table!17).!!The!most!popular!style!of!game!for!
millennials!is!first!person!shooter!with!65%!of!millennials!who!play!video!games!
reporting!that!they!play!this!style!of!!game!compared!to!only!23%!of!non8millennials!
over!age!35.!!The!most!popular!game!styles!among!non8millenials!are!puzzle!games!
and!casual!games.!!This!variation!is!relevant!to!game!designers!in!considering!slot!
design!of!future!skill!based!and!social!slot!machines.!!!

'

!!!!Table!17.!!

What'types'of'video'games'do'you'
play?'
120'Milennials'K'48'Over'35''
First!Person!Shooter!!
Role!Playing!!
Casual!Games!!
Puzzle!Games!!
Third!Person!Shooter!
Multiplayer!Online!Battle!!

Over!35!!
Millennials!

Simulation!!
Real!Time!Strategy!
MMO!
Sandbox!!!
0%! 10%! 20%! 30%! 40%! 50%! 60%! 70%! 80%!

!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!

!

'

!

27!

 !
It!is!interesting!to!note!that!those!respondents!who!reported!playing!video!
games!seemed!slightly!more!interested!in!games!of!skill!and!social!style!games!then!
those!who!do!not!play!video!games!(See!Table!18).!!
!

'

Table!18.!

Would'you'play'slots'if'they'had'
any'of'the'following'features?'
244'play'video'games'K'421'do'not''
!

Element!of!Skill!!

Play!against!others!!
Doesn't!Play!Video!
Games!!

Play!with!a!Group!!

Plays!Video!Games!!
Interact!with!Joystick!!

Simpler!Design!
0%! 10%! 20%! 30%! 40%! 50%!

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!

'

28!

 '

Atlantic'City'as'a'Destination''
'
'
A!majority!of!respondents!in!the!study!have!visited!Atlantic!City!in!the!past!
year!with!the!highest!percentage!(81%)!in!the!non8millennial!over!35!group!(See!
Table!19).!!
!
!
Table!19.!!

Have'you'visited'Atlantic'City'in'
the'past'year?''
29!under!21!*!316!millennials!*!161!over!35!
100%!
80%!
60%!
40%!
20%!
0%!

Under!21!!

Millennials!!

Over!35!

48%!

63%!

81%!

Yes!

'
'
!
A!very!high!percentage!of!respondents!in!both!groups!view!Atlantic!City!
positively!as!a!destination(See!Table!20).!!84%%!of!millennials!and!89%!of!non8
millennials!over!35!have!a!positive,!very!positive!or!neutral!view!of!Atlantic!City.!!!!
!
!!!!!!!!!!!!Table!20.!!

How'do'you'view'Atlantic'City'as'
an'entertainment'destination?'
316'Millennials'K'161'Over'35''
50%!
40%!
30%!
20%!
10%!
0%!

!

Very!
Positive!!

Positive!!

Neutral!!

Negative!!

Very!
Negative!!

Millennials!!

12%!

33%!

39%!

13%!

3%!

Over!35!!

20%!

43%!

26%!

9%!

3%!

'

29!

 '
!
Respondents!who!have!visited!Atlantic!City!in!the!last!year!view!the!city!most!
positively!by!a!wide!margin!compared!to!those!who!have!not!visited!(See!Table!21).!!
91%!of!those!who!have!visited!the!city!in!the!last!year!view!the!city!as!positive,!very!
positive,!or!neutral!as!a!destination!compared!to!74%!of!those!who!have!not!visited.!!
!
!
Table!21.!

How'do'you'view'Atlantic'City'as'an'
entertainment'destination?'
352'Visited'K'164'Have'Not'Visited''
60%!
50%!
40%!
30%!
20%!
10%!
0%!

Very!
Positive!!

Positive!!

Neutral!!

Negative!!

Very!
Negative!!

Visited!!

20%!

43%!

28%!

8%!

2%!

Have!not!Visited!!

2%!

22%!

50%!

20%!

6%!

'
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!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!

!

'

!

30!

 !
Of!those!who!have!not!visited!Atlantic!City!the!most!common!reason!cited!was!
that!it!was!too!far!from!home!(See!Table!22).!!This!is!most!likely!because!of!the!
responses!that!were!received!from!outlying!states.!!Other!popular!reasons!were!that!it!
is!expensive!(17%),!does!not!have!enough!diversity!of!activities!(12%)!and!due!to!its!
negative!reputation!(12%).!!Less!than!5%!cited!lack!of!family!attractions,!quality,!
safety,!cleanliness!and!disapproval!of!gambling!as!an!activity.!!!
!
!
Table!22.!!

Why!have!you!not!chosen!AC?!!
164!who!did!not!visit!!

Far!from!home!!
Expensive!!
Not!enough!diversity!of!activities!!
Negative!reputation!!
Not!enough!Family!Attractions!!
Quality!of!Accommodations!!
Do!not!approve!of!Gambling!!
Concern!about!safety!!
Quality!of!Amenities!!
Concern!about!cleanliness!
0%!

5%! 10%! 15%! 20%! 25%! 30%! 35%!

'
'
!
The!high!rank!of!“expensive”!as!a!reason!for!not!visiting!AC!further!supports!
the!other!findings!that!casual!restaurants!and!mid8priced!hotels!are!very!important!to!
both!millennials!and!non8millennials.!!Casinos,!city!planners!and!supporting!
businesses!should!focus!on!providing!midscale!accommodations!and!casual!dining!
options!to!attract!new!visitors!to!the!city.!'
'

!

31!

 Appendix'A'

!
Focus'Group'Questions''
• What!is!one!of!your!favorite!things!to!do!for!entertainment!on!a!night!out?!!
• Describe!your!planning!process!for!a!night!out!for!entertainment?!
• How!far!in!advance!do!you!plan!your!night?!!
• What!do!you!look!for!in!a!single!day/night!entertainment!experience?!!
• What!type!of!transportation!do!you!use!to!get!to!a!single!day!entertainment!
experience?!
• What!percent!of!your!budget!do!you!spend!on!each!item?!!
• What!is!one!of!your!favorite!places!to!visit!for!an!overnight!trip?!!What!do!you!
like!about!it?!!
• What!do!you!look!for!when!planning!an!overnight!entertainment!experience?!!
What!activities!are!important!to!you?!!
• How!far!in!advance!do!you!plan!your!trip?!!
• What!do!you!look!for!in!the!room!accommodations?!!
• Do!you!share!the!room!with!others?!!How!many?!!
• Who!do!you!travel!with?!!
• Do!you!play!video!games!for!entertainment?!
o What!type!of!games?!!
o How!often!!
• How!do!you!feel!about!Casino!Gambling!as!an!activity?!!
• What!is!your!favorite!Casino!Game?!!
• What!do!you!like!about!it?!!
• Do!you!play!with!friends!or!alone?!!
• How!do!you!feel!about!slot!machine!games?!!
• How!could!the!casino!experience!be!more!enjoyable?!!!
• What!do!you!think!about!Atlantic!City!for!an!overnight!entertainment!
experience?!!
• What!about!for!a!single!day/night!entertainment!experience?!!
!
For'those'who'do'not'visit'Atlantic'City''
• Why!not!
• Do!you!visit!other!gambling!destinations?!!
• Is!there!anything!that!would!make!you!want!to!visit!AC?!!
!
For'those'who'visit'AC.''
• Describe!a!typical!visit!to!Atlantic!City!!
• What!activities!are!important!to!you!!
• Of!the!activities!listed!what!percent!of!your!total!budget!do!you!spend!on!each!
activity!
• How!do!you!see!your!entertainment!preferences!changing!in!10!years?!!
• How!would!they!change!if!you!had!more!discretionary!income!to!spend?!!

!

32!

 Appendix B

Millennial Entertainment Preferences

You are invited to participate in a research study about the entertainment preferences of the
millennial generation. Jane Bokunewicz, an Assistant Professor of Hospitality at Stockton
University and the Levenson Institute of Gaming Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT) Fellow for 20152016, is conducting the study.
If you choose to participate you will be asked to complete an online survey with 18 – 25 questions.
The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.
The survey is completely anonymous. No identifying information will be collected and results will
only be presented in aggregate form. By completing the survey you are voluntarily agreeing to
participate. You are free to decline to answer any particular question you do not wish to answer for
any reason. You can terminate the survey at any time.
Upon completion of the survey you will be directed to a new, completely separate survey where you
will enter your e-mail address for one entry into a drawing for an Apple Watch. The winner will be
selected via random number generation at the close of the survey period.
If you have questions about the survey, please contact Jane Bokunewicz at
jane.bokunewicz@stockton.edu or 609 703-1946.
Your participation in this important survey will be very much appreciated.
1. Do you play multiplayer video games?
Yes
No

1

 Millennial Entertainment Preferences

2. What types of video games do you play? Check all that apply.
First Person Shooter

Sandbox Games

Puzzle Games

Third Person Shooters

Real Time Strategy Games

Multiplayer Online Battle Arena

Role-Playing Games

Massively Multiplayer Online RolePlaying

Simulation Games
Casual Games
Other (please specify)

3. What is the average number of hours you spend on the above video games each day?

Millennial Entertainment Preferences

4. Do you play casino slot machines?
Yes
No

2

 Millennial Entertainment Preferences

5. Which types of slot machines do you play? Check all that apply.
Penny

Video

Quarter

Bonus Round Games

Dollar

TV or Movie Themed

High Denomination

Poker

Reel

Community Games

Other (please specify)

6. How do you prefer to play the slot machines? Check all that apply.
Alone
With friends or family
Tournaments
Community Games
Other (please specify)

Millennial Entertainment Preferences

3

 7. Would you play slot machines if they had any of the following features? Check all that apply.

Ability to play against other players
Ability to play with a group
Ability to interact with the game using a joystick
An element of skill
Simpler design
No
Other (please specify)

8. Do you play any of the following casino games? Check all that apply.
None

Blackjack

Big Wheel

Electronic Table Games

Craps

Poker

Sports Betting

Roulette

Internet Gaming

Fantasy Sports

Baccarat

Other (please specify)

Millennial Entertainment Preferences

4

 9. How do you prefer to play the above casino games? Check all that apply.
Alone
With Friends or family
Tournaments
Community Games
Other (please specify)

Millennial Entertainment Preferences

10. What activities are important to you when planning a day or night out for entertainment? Check all that
apply.
Fine dining restaurants

Comedy Club

Video Gaming Events

Casual restaurants

Public Transportation

Gambling

Quick service restaurants

Day Spas

Cultural Events

Bars and Lounges

Golf

Camping

Happy Hours

Shopping

Hiking

Sports Bars

Amusement Parks

Hunting

Wine Bars

Museums

Art Galleries

Night Clubs

Concerts

Live Theater

LGBTQ Clubs

Sporting Events

Beaches

Beach/Pool bars

LGBTQ Events

Other (please specify)

5

 11. When traveling for an entertainment experience that involves at least one overnight stay what is your
typical length of stay. Check all that apply
One night

Four nights

Two nights

One week

Three nights

More than 1 week

12. How far in advance do you typically make arrangements for an overnight/multiple night trip?
Less than one week
1 – 2 weeks
2 – 3 weeks
1 month
More than 1 month

13. What accommodations/amenities are important to you when selecting a location for an
overnight/multiple night entertainment experience? Check all that apply.
Luxury Hotels

Hostels

Public Transportation

Midscale Hotels

All Inclusive Resort

Parking

Economy Hotels

Outdoor pools

Wifi

Bed and Breakfast

Indoor pools

Free Wifi

AirBnB

Short driving distance

Other (please specify)

6

 14. What activities are important to you when planning an overnight/multiple night entertainment
experience? Check all that apply.
Fine dining restaurants

Comedy Club

Video Gaming Events

Casual restaurants

Public Transportation

Gambling

Quick service restaurants

Spas

Cultural Events

Bars/Lounges

Golf

Camping

Happy Hours

Shopping

Hiking

Sports Bars

Amusement Parks

Hunting

Wine Bars

Museums

Art Galleries

Night Clubs

Concerts

Live Theater

LGBTQ Clubs

Sporting Events

Beaches

Beach/Pool bars

LGBTQ Events

Other (please specify)

15. When you visit a destination for an overnight/multiple night entertainment experience what percentage
of your budget is spent on the following activities? (must add up to 100%)

Transportation
Hotel
Dining
Bars/Night Clubs
Shopping
Gambling
Other

7

 16. If money was not a concern, on which activities would you increase your spending? Check all that
apply.
Transportation
Hotel
Dining
Bars/Night Clubs
Shopping
Gambling
None
Other (please specify)

17. How do you view Atlantic City as an entertainment destination?
Very Positive
Positive
Neutral
Negative
Very Negative

18. Have you visited Atlantic City in the past year?
Yes
No

Millennial Entertainment Preferences

8

 19. Why have you not chosen Atlantic City as an overnight entertainment experience? Check all that apply.
Far from home

Not enough family attractions

Lack of public transportation

Expensive

Quality of Acommodations

Negative reputation

Concern about safety

Quality of Amenities

Do not approve of gambling

Concern about cleanliness

Not enough diversity of activities

Other: Please specify

Millennial Entertainment Preferences

20. How many times have you visited Atlantic City in the past year?

Millennial Entertainment Preferences

21. What is your age?

9

 22. What is your gender?
Male
Female
Other (please specify)

23. What is your primary Racial/Ethnic Identity?
Hispanic
White
African American
Native American
Asian
Pacific Islander
Other (please specify)

24. What is your highest education level?
High school diploma
Associate Degree
Bachelors Degree
Masters Degree
Doctorate Degree
Other: Please specify

25. What is your relationship status?
Single
Married
Engaged
In a relationship
It’s complicated
Other (please specify)

10

 26. What is your personal income?
Less than $20,000

$50,000 to $59,999

$90,000 to $99,999

$20,000 to $29,999

$60,000 to $69,999

$100,000 to $149,999

$30,000 to $39,999

$70,000 to $79,999

$150,000 or more

$40,000 to $49,999

$80,000 to $89,999

27. What is your zip Code?

11