Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | May 2012 30 Casino Security T able games in Asia are easily the highest grossing in the world. With all those chips moving across the tables, cheaters—now more than ever— are trying to get their share of the action. Growing player volumes, new openings with significant numbers of inexperienced dealers, and focus on customer service have all left us exposed at times to significant gaps in game security. While some of the cheating throughout Asia has been well-publicized, much of it is still hidden from the public. Although nobody could have official figures, I have heard many in the know suggest that the “cut-card” scam, where players strapped cameras to their wrists (hidden by a long- sleeve coat) before cutting the cards, may have cost casinos somewhere in the US$100 million range. Having visited almost every casino in Asia, I realize that each casino has its own approach to table game security. In this article, we will explore some of the best game security practices, lessons learned, and tactics being used by cheaters. Casinos aren’t the only ones with cameras Dealers and players also have cameras, Casinos vs. Cheaters Todd Haushalter, Shuffle Master’s Vice President, Business Strategy, discusses how casinos can defend themselves from prying digital eyes and light-fingered staff Assortment of everyday objects equipped with hidden cameras