Trustly and Acres unveil instant cashless casino payments

Trustly, a leading global provider of online banking payments, has announced a strategic partnership with Acres, an established innovator in casino payment and player technology, to introduce a groundbreaking instant cashless gaming solution. The collaboration brings together Trustly’s Pay by Bank technology with Acres’ Universal Payment Adapter, delivering a seamless and secure method for casino players to fund slot machines and table games directly from their bank accounts.

The partnership represents a major milestone in the casino industry’s transition toward cashless gaming. With Trustly Scan & Pay, players can make instant deposits by simply scanning a QR code, without needing credit or debit cards, digital wallets, or mobile apps. This solution not only simplifies the payment process for players but also helps operators reduce operational costs and enhance security across their casino floors.

How Trustly Scan & Pay transforms the casino payment experience

At the heart of this collaboration lies Trustly Scan & Pay, a secure and efficient system that allows players to fund their casino activities directly from their bank accounts. When players sit down at a slot machine or a table, they can simply scan a QR code displayed on the machine or gaming terminal using their smartphone. Within seconds, the desired amount is transferred from their bank account to the casino’s account, ready for immediate play.

Unlike traditional systems that rely on physical cash or card-based payments, this technology operates entirely through direct bank transfers. The absence of intermediaries such as digital wallets or apps not only simplifies the process but also increases reliability and reduces transaction fees. Players no longer need to carry cash or worry about card declines, while casinos can benefit from a more efficient and transparent payment system.

Trustly’s direct banking model has already been successfully implemented across Europe in sectors such as e-commerce and online gaming. Its extension into the physical casino space through this partnership with Acres demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to innovating payment technology and enhancing financial accessibility in regulated gaming markets.

Integration with Acres’ Universal Payment Adapter

The Universal Payment Adapter developed by Acres is designed to work as a plug-and-play solution that connects seamlessly with most existing slot machines and casino management systems. This compatibility allows casinos to adopt the Trustly Scan & Pay solution without the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades or new hardware installations.

For operators, this is a significant advantage. Many casinos operate complex networks of machines from multiple manufacturers, each with different hardware and software ecosystems. Acres’ adapter bridges these differences, allowing the Trustly cashless payment solution to function across diverse systems effortlessly.

Noah Acres, Chief Operating Officer at Acres, emphasized this ease of integration, stating:

“The Universal Payment Adapter gives casinos a true plug-and-play cashless interface that requires no additional technology integration and boasts widespread regulatory approvals throughout the United States. By linking it to Trustly Scan & Pay, casinos can offer their players a way to fund games electronically that’s quicker and easier than cash.”

This statement underscores how the partnership aligns with the industry’s growing emphasis on convenience, compliance, and customer experience.

Reducing costs and increasing efficiency for casino operators

Handling physical cash in a casino environment comes with substantial operational costs. Industry estimates suggest that cash management expenses — including security, transportation, and labor — can represent up to six percent of total casino revenue. By adopting a fully cashless system, operators can significantly reduce these expenses while improving efficiency on the gaming floor.

Moreover, the data gathered from early cashless gaming trials indicate that players who use electronic payment methods tend to spend more time playing, with higher “coin-in” levels compared to traditional cash-based transactions. This suggests that cashless systems may not only streamline operations but also potentially increase overall gaming revenue.

Additionally, Trustly’s bank-level security measures ensure that all transactions are protected using advanced encryption and authentication technology. This provides both operators and players with confidence that their financial information remains secure at all times.

Regulatory approvals and compliance assurance

Regulatory compliance is a critical component of any financial innovation in the gaming sector. The Trustly and Acres solution has already received approval in most major tribal and commercial gaming jurisdictions in the United States, demonstrating that it meets the stringent requirements set by state and tribal regulators.

The approval process ensures that the system operates transparently and in full accordance with anti-money laundering (AML) and responsible gambling regulations. Both Trustly and Acres have established reputations for compliance and integrity, and this partnership builds upon their shared commitment to maintaining high ethical and operational standards within the gaming ecosystem.

Darren White, Trustly’s Director of Gaming, commented on the regulatory and operational progress of the initiative:

“Trustly and Acres have executed both technical integration and commercial agreements, the latter enabling Acres to serve as Merchant of Record to Trustly on behalf of casinos.”

This arrangement simplifies financial reporting and compliance procedures for casino operators while ensuring that all payment processing remains transparent and fully auditable.

Enhancing the player experience

The modern casino player increasingly expects convenience, speed, and security from payment systems. By eliminating the need for cash, cards, or third-party apps, Trustly and Acres have created a frictionless gaming experience that mirrors the simplicity of modern digital payments.

Players can fund their accounts instantly, check balances in real time, and enjoy uninterrupted gameplay without waiting for machines to dispense cash or process card payments. The ability to make direct, bank-to-bank transfers also provides an added layer of financial transparency, allowing players to better manage their spending and maintain responsible gambling habits.

Furthermore, the simplicity of QR-based payments appeals to both new and experienced players. There is no need for sign-ups or downloads — just a scan and a secure bank transaction.

The growing shift toward cashless gaming

The move toward cashless gaming is part of a broader industry trend. Across the United States and Europe, gaming regulators and operators have recognized the benefits of digital payment systems, particularly in promoting transparency, responsible gambling, and operational efficiency.

Post-pandemic consumer behavior has accelerated the demand for contactless and cashless options across retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors. Casinos, traditionally reliant on physical cash, are now modernizing rapidly to align with these expectations.

The collaboration between Trustly and Acres reflects this global movement. Their combined technologies not only meet the immediate needs of casino operators but also future-proof their operations against evolving customer preferences and regulatory standards.

Looking ahead: the future of cashless casino ecosystems

Industry experts predict that within the next decade, cashless systems will become the dominant mode of payment in both online and land-based casinos. This transition will likely bring new opportunities for personalization, player analytics, and responsible gambling measures.

By leveraging the data capabilities of digital payments, casinos can gain valuable insights into player behavior and preferences, enabling them to tailor promotions and loyalty programs more effectively. At the same time, such systems can help monitor and prevent problem gambling by providing real-time data on player activity and spending limits.

Trustly and Acres’ partnership positions them at the forefront of this transformation, combining proven banking infrastructure with innovative casino technology to deliver a robust, scalable, and regulatory-compliant solution.

Conclusion

The partnership between Trustly and Acres marks a significant advancement in the modernization of casino payments. By combining Trustly’s secure Pay by Bank technology with Acres’ versatile Universal Payment Adapter, the collaboration delivers an instant, cost-effective, and fully compliant cashless gaming experience.

With regulatory approvals already secured across key jurisdictions, this initiative is poised to accelerate the adoption of cashless gaming across the United States and beyond. For operators, it represents a pathway to lower operational costs, improved efficiency, and enhanced player satisfaction — while for players, it offers a simpler, faster, and safer way to enjoy their favorite casino games.

Frequently asked questions

What is Trustly Scan & Pay?
Trustly Scan & Pay is a direct bank payment system that allows casino players to fund slot machines and table games instantly by scanning a QR code, without needing cards or apps.

How does the Trustly and Acres partnership work?
The partnership integrates Trustly’s Pay by Bank system with Acres’ Universal Payment Adapter, allowing seamless cashless transactions on casino floors.

Do casinos need new hardware for this system?
No. The Universal Payment Adapter works with most existing casino management systems and slot machines, requiring no additional hardware or software upgrades.

Is this solution approved by regulators?
Yes. It has received regulatory approvals in most major tribal and commercial gaming jurisdictions in the United States.

How are payments processed?
Payments are made through direct bank transfers, completing within seconds and offering bank-level security and transparency.

What are the benefits for casino operators?
Operators can reduce cash handling costs, improve efficiency, and provide players with a modern, secure payment experience.

Does this technology promote responsible gambling?
Yes. Cashless systems allow better tracking of player transactions, which can support responsible gaming initiatives and spending controls.

Can players use this system without downloading an app?
Yes. Players simply scan a QR code with their smartphone to complete the transaction — no app or card required.

What is the role of Acres in this partnership?
Acres serves as the Merchant of Record for Trustly, managing the payment processing relationship on behalf of participating casinos.

Will this technology expand internationally?
While currently focused on the US market, the system’s proven success could lead to broader adoption in regulated casino markets worldwide.