Revenue Expansion Without Expanding the Casino Floor: A Conversation with Richard Sagman on Vi and the Future of Tribal Gaming

Casino operators know constraint well. Gaming floors are finite, expansion is costly, and new game approvals can take months or even years.

At the same time, guests are spending more time across the property than ever before, including in hotel rooms, restaurants, bars, pools, and event spaces, often outside of traditional gaming environments.

To explore how tribal operators can create new opportunities within their existing footprint, we recently sat down with Richard Sagman, SVP of Product Management at Everi, to discuss Everi’s on-property, reservation-wide mobile gaming solution, Vi®, and what it could mean for the future of Class II gaming.

The opportunity tribal operators are navigating

Sagman spoke candidly about the challenges facing tribal operators as they adapt to a more digital, evolving landscape.

“We think tribes should be leaning back into Class II, as there are many positives, from tax benefits to flexibility in deployment,” he said. “It’s a way to support sustainable revenue growth within a regulated framework. Longer term, we see Vi helping tribal operators build digital capabilities, train staff, and better understand their players through data and engagement.”

Historically, mobile gaming solutions have promised expansion but often introduced new challenges, including fragmented loyalty systems, disconnected payments, and standalone platforms that did not fully align with the core casino business.

“What is different about Vi is that it is not a separate iGaming solution. It is designed as an extension of the existing casino ecosystem,” Sagman said. “Our integrated loyalty and compliance tools connect directly with the operator’s casino management system, creating a single source of truth for data and enabling more personalized, controlled player experiences.”

Extending the experience within a controlled environment

For tribal operators, Class II gaming offers a unique opportunity. With Vi, gaming can extend beyond the casino floor into approved areas across tribal land, within a centrally managed and compliant system.

Guests can access Class II gaming in designated resort spaces such as hotel rooms, food and beverage outlets, and event areas, while using an integrated, property-wide wallet that supports seamless payments and loyalty engagement.

“It allows operators to make better use of spaces they already own while maintaining operational oversight,” Sagman said. “For patrons, it simplifies the experience. They can register for loyalty programs, manage funds, and engage with gaming in a consistent and secure way across the property.”

From concept to implementation

Vi is already live in market. The Muscogee Nation recently launched the solution, marking a milestone as one of the first Class II on-property, reservation-wide mobile gaming deployments.

The platform brings together Everi’s Class II digital games, CashClub Wallet®, and compliance and loyalty solutions into a single, integrated ecosystem designed to operate within regulatory frameworks.

“What we have built with Vi includes games that are already proven on the casino floor and in digital channels,” Sagman said. “We are extending that familiarity into mobile while maintaining the systems operators rely on to manage their business responsibly.”

Players can fund play, earn loyalty points in real time, and interact with a unified system that connects mobile and on-property gaming activity.

“For operators, that means one source of truth,” he added. “Their existing player tracking and loyalty systems remain central to both land-based and mobile gameplay.”

Supporting engagement, not replacing it

Sagman emphasized that Vi is not intended to replace traditional slot play. Early results from live implementations show no evidence of cannibalization.

Instead, the platform provides additional ways for guests to engage with the resort experience during moments that were previously non-gaming, while remaining within defined operational and regulatory boundaries.

“We are creating more touchpoints for guests to interact with the operator’s brand across the property,” he said. “Importantly, this is done in a way that allows tribal councils and operators to determine where and how gaming is offered on their land.”

A long-term digital strategy

Beyond near-term opportunities, Vi represents a broader strategic investment in digital capability.

“Tribes think in generations, not quarters,” Sagman said. “Vi helps operators prepare for the future by building digital expertise, understanding player behavior, and maintaining control of their data and systems as the industry evolves.”

By extending Class II gaming across approved areas of their property, tribal operators can create new opportunities within their existing ecosystem without the need for physical expansion, while maintaining compliance, oversight, and a focus on responsible play.

As with all gaming innovations, solutions like Vi are designed to operate within established regulatory frameworks and support responsible gaming practices, including player protections and operator controls.

If you're interested in learning more about Vi, the Company's cashless suite, jackpot processing, and/or mobile solutions, reach out to an Everi sales professional today!