Online Casino Gambling

With modern technology, casinos are better than ever at stopping theft. Effective casino security begins with detection. Every visitor is being watched prior to even entering the door of a casino. Regulatory agencies have no pity for thefts in casinos. There are five modern types of casino security currently utilized by gaming properties across the globe including:

• License plate readers
• Biometric face recognition
• Angel Eye
• RFID chips
• TableEye21

License Plate Readers

Any suspicious car can be removed from casino property before security even sees the faces of those inside. This is due to Plate Recognition technology in which a camera snaps a picture of the license plate of every car entering the casino. Optical character recognition software then converts the characters on the license plate into text which is compared to the plates of undesirable individuals.

Biometric Face Recognition

The second you walk in the door of a casino, your face is scanned by the cameras. In the past, manned security cameras would identify unwanted guests. However, biometric face recognition technology has changed this method. Dumb biometric systems detect human faces and grab a snapshot of every guest. Smart biometric systems take a snapshot and analyze the face of each guest and compare them to a database of undesirables.

Angel Eye

Even if the undesirable character makes it past the biometric face recognition technology, the Angel Eye at baccarat tables will pick him up. This equipment was designed to eliminate card-switching problems in Asian countries due to bar codes on each card. As the dealer distributes the cards, a sensor in the shoe tracks the cards being dealt and communicates them to a computer. Once all cards a dealt, the dealer presses a button which analyzes each hand.

RFID Chips

Many casinos are now implementing small Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips into their playing chips. These mechanisms broadcast serial identifiers via radio frequency so counterfeit chips will not churn out the correct waves. Other users include tracking chips leant to players for credit as well as tracking playing information for specific tables.

TableEye21

TableEye21 is the combination of many technologies. An overhead video camera tracks all moves and is analyzed by software and information sent from RFID chips. The output is real-time information of the cards being distributed and chips being wagered. Meanwhile, the software tracks a variety of statistics for the table such as rounds per hour; trend reports and the player win percentage. If a player is counting cards, this software will identify an odd trend.

There are many different types of security mechanisms in place at casinos. Technology has advanced so far that the bottom line is, don’t cheat you will get caught. However, many thefts continue to occur daily and many individuals go to jail as a result.

One of the biggest dangers to casino assets and liabilities to the casino is complacency among its employees. These employees are typically most insidious within the Surveillance and Security departments. As an employee, this is also where they can do the most damage to the business, its assets, reputation and guests.

Within the Surveillance and Security departments, it is easy to fall into a repetitive daily routine without being alert and observant at all times during operations. These typical functions include:

• Checking specific areas of the property
• Patrols
• Escorting fills to specific games
• Slots drops

These actions become so routine the employee begins to get to know those individuals they interact with, even the less desirable employees. This type of repetitive activity dulls the sense causing the employee to be less alert and less ready to spot wrongdoers. This also creates procedural sloppiness and tolerance of error.

For example, if an officer carries money at a predictable time on a predictable route that puts them in reach of criminals and the money is stolen, the officer is likely to be responsible for the theft. The insurance company could also be hesitant to cover any injuries the officer may incur. This is because that employee did not follow the procedure for transporting money which consists of using pre-determined back-halls route.

From a corporate viewpoint, the company could be partially liable for the officer’s injuries if they had not been properly trained and corrected following the incident. For the same reason, the corporate insurance could hesitate in paying most of the medical bills. As a society, the United States is considered complacent and vulnerable to sneak attacks and this is a perfect example.

However, since alertness and awareness are the job of a Security or Surveillance officer, there is no excuse for complacency. The job entails being responsible for the assets of the casino and safety of its employees and patrons. Without these job functions, balance would disappear and disorder would ensue.

Complacency is a serious issue in the security and surveillance world in an industry. Since they are hired to protect the company, its services and its guests, acquired routine can become the enemy. Any type of error by either department due to complacency can have catastrophic results for the business. This is one of the primary reasons Surveillance and Security Officers and staff are being constantly trained and retrained.

In order to successfully run a casino, all departments must work in unison and follow the approved procedures for various situations set forth by executive management. When a game is successfully cheated or the casino is robbed, pit personnel tend to immediately lose their jobs from not detecting and reporting it.

Therefore, it is imperative to follow the procedures to ensure no theft at the casino occurs and employees are able to keep their jobs. It is necessary to always let other departments know the Surveillance Department has everyone’s back with the eye in the sky. Surveillance is preset to help correct errors, detect cheating, identify theft and log procedural errors.

In return, there are specific guidelines that must be followed by pit personnel and other departments when calling for the assistance of the Surveillance Department. These include:

• Giving your name and the pit number
• Give the game number
• Provide the name of the player and their position at the table
• Describe the situation
• For those with a heavy accent, speak slowly and clearly
• For cheating, after providing your name and the game number immediately state your suspicions
• For a cheating situation do not allow payoff until Surveillance has reviewed

The previous are the most basic guidelines for pit personnel when calling surveillance for help. Another rule to follow is to report any suspicions regarding a dealer directly to the pit supervisor or a higher position as opposed to calling surveillance. Also, if a dealer makes an error, call surveillance with the name of the dealer. This will not get them into trouble but consistent errors will result in retraining for them.

If card-counting or other out-of-the-ordinary betting patterns are detected, contact the pit supervisor prior to calling surveillance. Finally, after calling, back away from the game to give the suspect air and allow surveillance to do its job. If you hang over them, the suspect will disappear leaving no evidence of their wrongdoing.

These are the common procedures most game floor departments follow when dealing with surveillance. This allows the department to utilize the cameras to catch someone in the act or acquire further evidence against them. Once again, all departments must work together to allow the casino to run effectively and efficiently. These blips in the normal flow can be eliminated through collaboration between surveillance and all departments.

“Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong,” is the universal code known as Murphy’s Law. This idea is especially important in the Surveillance Department at casinos due to the many applications. Some of these include:

• Dieing cameras
• Cameras not recording
• Wheel camera out of focus
• Drive going down

The rare situations where a camera is not available for a game is the same time a patron wins a huge jackpot or someone is cheating. In many instances, the Surveillance Department is not aware of this malfunction or in worse cases this is not reported to the proper gaming department. When this occurs it can be a hectic and unsure scenario.

Another application of Murphy’s Law occurs when cameras are not recording a specific game even though the camera was previously working fine. This will be the same time one guest steals from another guests chip rack. Had it been caught on tape, the player will be arrested within moments. Since the camera was not recording, there is no proof of this misdeed.

A third application is occurs when the wheel camera on a Roulette table is out of focus and the dealer mismarks a number with all six players placing multiple wagers around the board. This will cause chaos amongst those players that have won but there is no recorded proof to substantiate this claim.

The finally instance occurs when there is an equipment failure at the cashout window. At this same time, a customer will question a specific cash out as being incorrect. If the equipment is down, there is again, no way to validate the claim by the customer.

This is a phenomenon that occurs in most businesses. The best way to manage these situations is to maintain a high attention to detail and continue to do your job. Also, ensure all cameras are focused in the correct spots and recording. Additionally, never focus game cameras on inactive areas of the casino. Instead, keep all active areas covered by cameras.

If there is an equipment issue, immediately report it to technical services so they can be fixed. While waiting, move other cameras to observe the area and notify management in the uncovered area so they can shut the games down. If these tasks are not completed, they will eventually come back against you.

Cameras in casinos are some of the most important pieces of equipment to verify wins, observe cheats and ensure all transactions are running smoothly. If they break and are not fixed in a timely manner, it is common for Murphy’s Law to come into play and make situations much worse than necessary.

The “eye in the sky” is on every table and almost every single player in a casino. Due to the large amount of cash that casino’s generate, this high-level of security is a requirement. A great deal of time, money and effort are spent to develop a top-notch security system.

Levels of Security

The first level of security is the game floor employees. Dealers, pit bosses, waitresses and security guards are all watching gaming patrons to ensure all rules are being followed. Dealers focus on their current game; looking for cheaters and thieves. Table managers are watching multiple tables at once looking for cheaters, watching the dealers, changing money and gambling accessories.

Pit bosses keep an eye on the table managers as well as look for betting patterns among the patrons. Meanwhile, the numerous cameras spread throughout the casino watch everyone. The only area of the casino that doesn’t have floor security constantly watching is the slots section. This is because slot winners are generated randomly utilizing computer chips.

The “Eye in the Sky”

Security cameras are mounted throughout the casino; in the ceiling, change window and doorways. The cameras can usually turn in a 360 degree motion and zoom in on specific players or areas of the casino. These are operated by security guards in a room filled with monitors. All video is recorded in the case that a crime occurs. This allows the casino to review the tapes and find the offender.

Tips to Ensure Rules are Followed

There are a few tips to ensure you will remain in security’s good graces. These include:

• Don’t touch gaming equipment
• Don’t reach across the table
• Don’t disturb others
• Don’t touch your chips after a bet has been placed

One of the most important rules is to not touch any gaming equipment such as cards, dice or other player’s chips. If you must touch something use only one hand and make it as visible as possible. Also, instead of reaching all the way across the table to grab something, ask the dealing to move it for you. This way you aren’t in the way of others and are less likely to spill drinks.

Another beneficial tip is to not disturb others while they’re playing. Although watching games is permitted, don’t disturb others while watching. Finally, never touch your chips

There is something about casinos that seems to bring out the worst in some people; or rather it seems that the presence of large sums of money have the tendency to encourage people to cheat. Many people have gone in to the casino thinking they could “beat the system.” Truth is; you can’t. Casinos spend billions of dollars a year in security- employing some of the most high tech methods out there for catching everyone from your garden variety cheater, to card counters, and even high-level operations like the MIT Blackjack Team.

Casinos employ dozens of ways to protect their money and their casino. Each casino is different and uses a different tactic. However, there are three common strategies almost every casino from Las Vegas to the American Indian casinos uses to ward of cheaters.

The Eyes on Floor- Casino Staff

If you have visited a casino, you have probably noticed the hoard of casino employees walking around the floor. These employees serve a variety of functions; fixing stalled slot machines, making change, assisting visitors, etc. However, all casino employees have one thing in common- they are all trained to spot cheating. Every casino employee on the floor has their ears and eyes peeled for suspicious behavior. They have undergone hours of training from advanced security teams. Chances are; you will be spotted.

Table Managers and Pit Bosses

The dealer isn’t the only one watching your poker table. Casinos also have table managers and pit bosses. These casino employees are trained to notice patterns that could indicate cheating at the poker table. Most casinos assign a pit boss or table manager to one specific table or any area of tables. If there is a high-stakes game going on, you can be assured at least one pit boss is watching that table like a hawk.

Eyes in the Sky

Casinos don’t just rely on the human eye to watch over their investment. Every major casino has a set of security cameras installed that look over the flood. These cameras are manned off the floor by an entire staff. They are angled to watch the tables, the slots, the cashier, and just about everywhere in the casino. Odds are the casino you frequent has dozens of security staff who spend their days with their eyes glued to the security camera monitors. Security staff positioned at the monitors are equipped with two-way radios that connect them with other employees on the casino floor. Chances are; a cheater won’t make it out of the building if they try.

The urge to cheat your way into winnings can be great, especially for gambling enthusiasts. People who frequent one casino can start to believe that they “have things figured out.” Odds are; they don’t. Casinos invest a large portion of their holdings in to stopping these people in their tracks.