Solution Topics

Video Surveillance for Casinos and the Gaming Industry

Topic: Casinos and Gaming Industries

Security is important for any business, but for few is it as vital as in the gaming industry. Large numbers of people with vast amounts of money changing hands lead to great potential for theft and cheating. Emotions run high when so much money is involved, and violence is also known to break out. In order to keep a casino running efficiently and smoothly security must be top-notch.

The Need for Video Surveillance in Casinos

Video surveillance plays an essential role in any casino security system. No matter how well trained your security personnel are, one fact remains: they cannot be everywhere at once. Unlike retail stores, transactions are not taking place at any single centralized location: they are taking place at slot machines, gaming tables and the like all around the casino. In order to keep down on theft and cheating, all areas where money and chips are changing hands must be monitored continuously.

The most efficient way to keep a casino under constant surveillance is through video surveillance. Cameras can be placed at key locations, keeping a constant track of everything occurring on the gaming floor and every other vital area. Video feeds can be monitored by a single or handful of people, who can then direct security personnel on the ground to the exact locations where they are needed.

Benefits of a Video Surveillance System

Placing a video surveillance system in place at your casino has many benefits. It provides a video record of all visitors to the casino, in case some crime or mischief occurs this record can be used to assist with finding the perpetrators. A video surveillance system also allows for proper distribution of security personnel to cope with problems quickly and effectively as they arise.

Used in this way, a video surveillance system can assist you in stopping thefts, catching cheaters and halting fights and violent outbursts as they occur. This provides a safer environment in the casino both for your employees and your customers.

CCTV versus IP Cameras for Casino Surveillance

When installing a new video surveillance system for your casino, there are two choices: CCTV (Closed Circuit TeleVision) or IP (Internet Protocol). CCTV utilizes traditional, analog video cameras and coaxial cable, whereas an IP camera uses digital cameras and transmits feeds over Ethernet cable to broadcast over local and internet networks.

An IP video surveillance system offers many benefits over traditional CCTV systems. Because they provide a digital feed, transmissions can be sent easily to any location, whether on the premises or off. Storage is simplified, without the need for hard copy video cassettes. Advanced software such as facial recognition, object recognition, advanced motion detection and many others can also easily be used with the right digital cameras.

Placement of Security Cameras

Proper placement of security cameras is crucial for any video surveillance system. This is never truer than when placing security cameras for use in a casino or other gaming institution. The most advanced cameras in the world will be of little use if they are placed in the wrong spots.

Entrances and exits should always be fully covered by cameras. This provides video of all people entering and leaving the casino, so you know exactly who is inside at any given time. Any public areas should be well surveyed with particular prominence given to high stakes tables and games for proper monitoring of these high risk areas. Areas such as restrooms should usually be avoided when placing cameras, in order to protect the privacy of your customers.