Casino Security and Surveillance: Roles and Responsibilities
Casino operational procedures now include casino security as a critical component. Over the past ten years, the measures used to secure the patrons, the personnel, and even the casino's assets have advanced quickly. A surveillance system for a casino includes a range of installations, devices, and tools (whether electronic or otherwise), such as video cameras, audio sensors, monitors, recorders, video printers, switches, and selectors, with the ability to observe, monitor, and record activities taking place inside and around those casino premises.
In a casino, security is primarily concerned with safeguarding valuables, deterring violent crime on the property, and clamping down on improper or illegal conduct. This module will examine how casinos respond to contemporary security issues, discuss areas requiring extra vigilance, and examine some of the cheating and rule-breaking incidents that have occurred.
CASINO SECURITY AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM STRUCTURE:
All high-end security teams will be aware of several distinct danger vectors given the casino's substantial cash holdings. The enormous quantity of money that a casino handles daily creates a massive vulnerability for theft. Casino security personnel will devote a large portion of their attention to reducing the possibility that customers, visitors, or staff stealing their money. These offenses are the most frequent on a casino floor, and skilled casino security rarely misses efforts to take money from the casino vaults. The most fundamental level of security is mass surveillance throughout the whole venue, with trained personnel looking intently for any indication of suspicious or criminal conduct. Security teams employ a variety of techniques to prevent these crimes.
Casino security systems today are far more advanced, loaded with expensive technology, and managed much like a police department. In the past, casinos depended heavily on intimidation and force to deter crimes against them. Two teams are broken up into different roles in the standard arrangement; The physical security personnel will go around the venue's floor. A group in the backroom is keeping a watch on the closed-circuit television system, sometimes known as the "eye in the sky."
The safety of both visitors and personnel has been guaranteed by this method, which has shown to be quite effective in safeguarding the casino's assets. Casino security teams used one-way glass and catwalks that ran above the casino floor before there was video surveillance.
Local law enforcement and casino security are closely entwined at the top end of casino gaming around the world. Most rules are developed per regional laws and ordinances that local prosecutors would be willing to challenge in court. The principles-based approach to enforcing norms of conduct, such as participants at card games keeping their hands exposed at all times, has been a successful measure in preventing unsportsmanlike behavior. This technique is utilized in addition to the technology and cameras used to secure a casino.
OBJECTIVE OF SECURITY MONITORING:
The significant goals of casino surveillance and security include preserving a secure atmosphere for everyone in the establishment and protecting casino assets and other valuables. A portion of the security teams will also be on the lookout for dishonest players because they use a variety of inventive strategies to trick casinos. The casino security cameras spend a lot of time observing and catching people partaking in such illicit actions, from card counters to hustlers snatching cards out of their sleeves.
Controlling who may enter the property is another essential duty of the casino security services. Due in part to imposing age restrictions on visitors and identifying people who have been delisted, this work is more complicated than it first appears. The security personnel of casinos focus on keeping a current list of those who might have self-excluded from gambling and ensuring that nobody inside the casino shouldn't be, whether that be due to being underage, on a blocklist, or self-excluded.
BENEFITS OF CASINO SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT:
Installation is straightforward because of recent advancements in digital video security cameras, which enable gaming establishments like casinos to deploy and install cameras with just one wire. The security systems' adaptability enables the installation of cameras in practically any place. Since the digital systems run over a network, anyone inside the building may view or watch them, which frees up more staff to assist with the surveillance monitoring.
Large crowds at casinos can make life difficult for security guards. Casinos use security cameras to watch for suspicious behavior and disruptions among large crowds.
Suspect casino patrons - There have always been gamblers trying to take advantage of the system by hustling or using dishonest practices. Security personnel can closely observe all activity at the gaming tables, including individual players, thanks to cameras positioned strategically that provide HD, crystal-clear images of the tables.
Preventing Theft - Nobody wants to be exposed as a cheater. Simply having security cameras installed across the premises reduces crime. Authorities can identify criminals during criminal investigations with the aid of surveillance cameras. Additionally, surveillance cameras assist in keeping an eye on dealer collusion and employee theft.
Fighting and violence - Usually, there is alcohol where there is gambling. Anytime there are prominent people, alcoholic beverages, and high-stakes gaming, there is a chance for tense circumstances. Security officials can rapidly send guards to a particular location in an emergency thanks to security camera systems.
Remote viewing - With the help of digital surveillance systems, security officers can see live or recorded videos from various remote places, including on their smartphones or tablets.
Privacy issues - It is standard practice to have CCTV cameras in public places. There should be surveillance in places like pubs, restaurants, eating spaces, and gaming floors. Bathrooms and other private spaces shouldn't have surveillance equipment installed because that violates people's right to privacy.
SECURITY AT CASINOS BY GAME:
Although casinos have a centralized security force, some components are only concerned with the activities surrounding a specific kind of casino game. This game-specific security personnel will surely be experts in the game they are watching and will be alert for any strange betting patterns and potential weaknesses in the casino's infrastructure.
(i)Security at the roulette table.
Security personnel police several specific regulations related to roulette. The dealer, security personnel on the ground, and the Eye in the Sky closely check on anyone touching chips or generally loitering about the table. Players who place winning bets on outside chances are not allowed to claim their winnings until all other winners in the box have been paid to prevent misunderstanding about who is supposed to receive which chips. Interfering with the chips on the table after the dealer signals that bets are finished is strictly forbidden. When playing roulette, the only objects you can anticipate being allowed in front of you are chips, cash, and drinks. Electronic equipment is typically restricted at the table.
(ii)Craps security in a casino.
Craps is the game that casino security personnel may watch over the most. The pit boss, or the person in charge of security, will have good access to and visibility towards the activities at every table in the pit under this game's standard setup, which calls for all the tables to be closely packed together in a pit area. Each table often has at least one floorman keeping an eye on the players and intently observing their every move when rolling the dice, setting chips on the table, or placing bets. Large-win players have occasionally been asked to leave casinos. Still, this practice has been outlawed in New Jersey and Las Vegas casino security as long as the player follows the law.
(iii)Protection in Poker.
Texas Hold 'em Poker is one of the most played card games at casinos, and you can bet that casino security pays close attention to what goes on around these tables constantly. The movement of the chips on the table is also carefully observed, in addition to the cards. There are numerous rules in effect for players participating in casino poker, so if you're new to the game, it's wise to quickly review a few before sitting down at the table and wagering real money. In these games, manners are just as crucial, and you're required to maintain decency standards for your rivals and the casino's personnel.
POSSIBLE CASINO SURVEILLANCE OPTIONS:
The safety and security of patrons are of the utmost importance to casinos. Security cameras that have been appropriately installed aid in protecting gambling establishments from theft, crime, and violence. When installing the video surveillance system, the following factors need to be taken into account:
i. The facility's existing security risks
ii. The present-day deployed or installed security systems
iii. Whether there are enough security personnel at the building
iv. Whether there have been any instances of cheating in the past
v. If there has been fighting or violence at the casino
vi. Traffic and large crowds of people
vii. Monitoring in place throughout the checkout areas
viii. High-stakes tables are present, requiring additional care.
ix. Employee theft issues at the establishment
Install security cameras at all of the facility's entrances and exits to capture and document all players entering the space. There should be security cameras watching over every gambling floor. Tables and slot machines are included in this. Gaming tables should have security cameras to keep an eye on cheating, suspicious activity, and games. Security cameras should be installed in every location that stores or exchanges money.
A SECURITY SYSTEM FOR CASINOS BUILT TO PREVENT CHEATING
Security systems can significantly minimize cheating in casinos when structure and "right procedure" are appropriately executed. The most popular techniques for mitigating these vulnerabilities by casino security systems include shuffling cards, accurately dealing cards, and properly storing and receiving new decks. The security personnel will be notified the moment a known cheat, card counter, or "advantage player" steps foot on the casino floor, thanks to facial recognition software. Casinos have devised various high-tech technologies to spot players earning a lot of money, weird betting patterns, and irregular gameplay. Video archives are frequently retained for very long times as historical records that security personnel can use to look back and spot trends of possible cheating in the past.
The Eye in the Sky
As discussed previously, a sophisticated network of cameras that transmit information into an operations center allows human security officers and machine learning algorithms to examine every movement around the casino in minute detail. In today's gaming ecosystem, with teams of committed, professional guards patrolling the casino floors, well-trained dealers, and kind patrons, trying to rob, cheat, or conduct a crime at a casino is not advised if you wish to uphold your fundamental human rights.
“Eye in the Sky” is another term for casino surveillance, as your job entails covertly watching the gaming activity at multiple casino sites. Most of the task entails carefully and professionally monitoring the facility's inside and outside using a CCTV system to ensure proper security and compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
To advise them of any unusual or suspicious conduct at the casino, you will maintain continual contact with uniformed security personnel on the ground and floor supervisors in this job. You must often use your working knowledge of the games currently being played and keep a close eye on the play procedures because you are responsible for safeguarding the interests of both customers and staff. Another crucial responsibility is preparing daily logs and incident reports for recordkeeping and potential use as evidence in court, together with relevant video recordings.
Since many casinos are open around-the-clock, casino surveillance must be ready to work irregular hours. In this profession, gaming officers work alternate shifts at least eight hours per day. Employees could be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays to ensure that a casino's rules are strictly obeyed.
You'll spend a lot of time in observation rooms keeping a close eye on what happens in the game sections. Occasionally, you'll switch between these areas and the casino floor to get a better view of the staff and customers. To observe live gaming and money-handling areas, you must maintain secrecy around clients and staff. You must frequently stand, walk, sit, and use your hands to finger, handle, or feel things, instruments, or controls while performing casino surveillance tasks. Depending on where you are on the property, the noise level of this job is often moderate to high.
CASINO SURVEILLANCE OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Being a casino surveillance officer requires various abilities, from recognizing criminal activities on the casino floor to producing thorough reports on any questionable conduct. This is crucial because identifying recurring offenders is just as vital as identifying a single offense.
The following are the primary duties of a casino surveillance officer:
The officers constantly scan the casino floor with the aid of cameras and audio equipment to look for any nefarious activity being carried out by either the patrons or the personnel.
Determine whether players have an advantage over the house by identifying those who do not employ illegal means to do so (for example, counting cards at blackjack). Although these players' acts are not specifically unlawful, a casino may choose to prohibit them if their transgressions become too frequent.
Recognize cheats among gamers; cheaters will be dealt with harshly by the law if they are discovered. When corrupt players are seen, surveillance officials have the right to detain them before turning them over to the police. The surveillance officers must deliver the relevant film whenever law enforcement requests proof of the incident.
Keep an eye on the "cage," where the currency that is visible to customers is kept and where the cashiers deal with gamblers. The surveillance agents can spot any sly players or cashiers working together by keeping an eye on this area.
Wild gamblers should be removed from the area because they may become intoxicated and experience short-circuiting. When this occurs, surveillance may be activated to locate the players and offer support to the security team so they can be lifted off the ground securely.
Create incident reports. Management must be informed of all incidents, regardless of whether they were brought on by dishonest employees, advantage gamblers, or other factors. A surveillance officer is typically in charge of this.
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR A SURVEILLANCE OFFICER:
It would be best if you had a high school graduation, at the very least, and specific training in operating and maintaining various surveillance tools to operate in casino surveillance. A higher degree, such as an associate's or bachelor's in criminal justice, will eventually be helpful for job growth. To work in the casino surveillance industry, you must have a perfect criminal history without felony or misdemeanor convictions. To reduce your chance of accepting bribes or helping to commit theft on casino property, you should also keep a clean credit history free of bankruptcy.
You might need to submit a background check and give your fingerprints to start an entry-level job. Once you've been hired for the position, your employer will generally give you on-the-job training for the position's duties, such as using surveillance software and equipment, engaging with clients, officials of the government, and other employees, etc.
CHALLENGES FACED BY SURVEILLANCE OFFICERS:
The admissibility of video and audio evidence as crucial evidence in a criminal case is the main worry that the majority of surveillance officers have. The evidence by itself has occasionally been found to be insufficient in certain high-level cases, even though it is frequently viewed as a welcome boost on the prosecution's side.
Despite the common misconception that casino surveillance officers' primary responsibility is to stare into computer displays, their job description entails more than just operating cameras. They play a vital role in the casino security system. Additionally, they provide a fair and safe environment for honest players to enjoy themselves in the casino through their conduct.
CONCLUSION:
Nowadays, entering a casino security room is like entering a high-tech spy thriller. Every square inch of the casino floor is covered in a dense network of cameras, scanners, and sensors that constantly monitor players. Through some of the most cutting-edge security systems in the world, everything is tracked and examined, from player movements and play styles to projections of their long-term value to specific casinos.
The unique security systems don't only stop in Sin City; casinos throughout the country deploy monitoring and espionage equipment that has been employed to improve security for significant banks and even government institutions. Because they are continually at risk from dishonest gamblers, casinos have a vested interest in innovating. Because of this, Las Vegas and other gambling hotspots have evolved into testing grounds for various surveillance equipment.
Consider the non-obvious relationship awareness (NORA) software used in gambling. Casinos can use this application to quickly ascertain whether a gambler and dealer have ever shared a phone number or a residence. While it once took weeks for a private investigator to establish a connection between casino employees and patrons, security has advanced in response to the industry's expanding needs. The US Department of Homeland Security is currently using the NORA program to help identify potential terrorists.
There is no better place to look for a glimpse of the future of the casino security sector than the blackjack tables. A system called TableEye21 tracks casino chips and identified players that utilize card counting techniques to reduce the house advantage. It does this using video cameras and video analysis software. Casinos can determine a player's skill level as soon as they enter the casino, thanks to this information on specific individuals.
Casino managers engage in a cat-and-mouse battle with cheaters, continuously advancing casino security. The days of fooling a single camera and a single pit boss are long gone, and ongoing technological improvements are making it much more challenging to beat the house. Since the era of Mob casinos, the sector has advanced significantly, and this growth shows no indication of stopping.
The good news is that gaming is now safer than ever for both players and casinos. The development of casino security has made casinos considerably more enticing to players from various backgrounds, whether it be guarding you against suspicious individuals hiding in a stairway or catching a player altering cards at the baccarat tables.