The benefits of casino security cameras for the gaming industry

Challenges of security in casinos

Casinos in Las Vegas and beyond are a prime target for theft and fraud due to the large amounts of money they handle. Casino security systems must take into account a variety of challenges, including:

Securing large areas and multiple points of entry

Casinos are sprawling facilities with numerous points of entry and exit. They require a powerful security system to monitor details of activities that could easily be overlooked in large spaces and points of entry with heavy traffic.

Monitoring multiple floors and areas

Casinos often have multiple levels and areas to protect, including gaming floors, gambling rooms, restaurants, bars and hallways. A reliable security system must have the capability to monitor the entire space, which often calls for varying types of specialized cameras.

Managing large crowds

Casinos are typically crowded, especially during peak hours. The security system utilized must be able to regulate heavy traffic, and help casino security operators observe large numbers of people with a high degree of detail.

Protecting from physical threats

Casinos handle large amounts of money, so there’s always a chance of physical threats, such as theft or violence. Casinos must implement measures to protect their staff and customers by having security guards in strategic areas and installing IP security cameras to help operators get eyes on high-risk areas.

Safeguarding sensitive data

Casinos routinely handle sensitive data and must comply with video data retention policies to ensure there is a visual record should an incident need to be investigated. Depending on the location and organization, retention policies can be as little as 7 days or up to 6 months. For this reason, casino video camera systems must always be secure, protecting stored data with robust encryption while still allowing approved operators to easily retrieve archived video footage for legal evidence if an incident occurs. It is also important to train employees on the appropriate protocols for managing customer data. 

Minimizing the risk of fraud or malicious activity

Casinos must implement measures that will enable them to detect and prevent fraudulent activities, like money laundering or tampering with games and card counting. From identifying known offenders to flagging abnormal behavior, the right casino security camera system is crucial in minimizing risk.

Best areas to use casino security cameras

Where you install casino security cameras is also an important part of ensuring better security in your facilities. In looking at statistics of the average camera distribution in casinos based on location, you can get a better idea of the areas with the highest risk for security incidents:

• 50% slot machine areas

• 25% money-handling areas 

• 15% table game areas

• 7% back-of-house and common areas

• 3% restaurants, bars and similar areas

However, these are not the only areas that require a comprehensive casino security access control system with casino surveillance. Just because gaming areas are the most common place for casino security cameras doesn’t mean you should skimp on security for all the other areas in your building:

• Entrances and exits to flag known offenders, prevent vandalism and other illegal activities.

• Cashier cages and counting rooms to ensure staff and customer safety, and detect unusual activity or suspicious behavior.

• Gaming tables and slot machines to help enforce rules against cheating and identify tampering.

• High-value storage areas, such as safes and vaults to protect valuable assets from bad actors.

• Parking lots and surrounding areas to detect potential criminal activities and give customers peace of mind.

• Restricted access areas, such as employee-only areas to keep staff safe and deter unauthorized visitors from entering.

• Elevators and stairwells to quickly identify suspicious or abnormal activity.

• Hallways and corridors to provide a secure environment for employees and customers.

• Any other areas where valuable assets are present or where illegal activities are likely to occur, such as a casino security room with servers or storage space.

• For an added layer of protection, the perimeter of the casino building must also have its own set of security cameras.

How to choose the best types of casino security cameras

When it comes to improving visibility in casinos, choosing the best casino security cameras is essential. Here are some of the different types of cameras that casinos might want to use and their main benefits. 

PTZ cameras — The flexibility in movement in pan, tilt and zoom cameras, or PTZ security cameras, make them a popular choice for casinos, as the cameras are able to adjust angles, move, and zoom in and out with just a few clicks, as well as cover large areas. They allow personnel to hone into details to easily identify people behaving suspiciously and adjust the view, enabling staff to respond to incidents accordingly.

Dome cameras — Dome security cameras are ideal for areas that require discretion, such as gaming areas. The cameras’ wide field of view also increases situational awareness and allows operators to observe activities that take place in multiple areas at the same time. 

Bullet cameras — Bullet security cameras for casinos provide agility in terms of size and angle. They also have the ability to capture images clearly at long distances and are good options for areas such as stairwells and large interior spaces where a visible camera might help deter crime. As some bullet cameras come in weatherproof casings, they are ideal for outdoor use. 

Modular casino cameras — For casino areas that require discretion, the small size of modular casino cameras allow them to be installed in almost any space, from gaming tables and checkout counters, to other limited spaces like ATMs. While bullet cameras’ visible appearance might help deter crimes, modular casino cameras are designed to be virtually invisible. They could be installed behind false walls or ceilings to catch potential criminals off-guard.

Features to look for in casino security cameras

• High-definition imaging: Cameras that provide crisp, detailed images are crucial in establishments like casinos, which are prone to theft, fraud and other crimes. The image quality in high-definition cameras is significantly better than traditional analog cameras, making them ideal for casinos that need to spot details and small movements that can be easily overlooked. 

• Low-light performance: Low-light cameras enable casino surveillance even when it gets too dark for regular cameras to capture usable footage, improving visibility without the need to install additional lighting.

• AI analytics: Smart cameras with AI video analytics can automate and streamline a considerable number of processes, as well as strengthen security. The ability to detect and classify irregular activities based on location and behaviors, differentiate between objects, people and vehicles, as well as provide real-time heat map data and alerts help casino operators be proactive and prevent incidents the moment anomalies are

Casino camera installation considerations

After you have chosen the right casino security camera, there is installation to consider. Proper installation is essential to ensure optimal performance. Here are a few things to keep in mind when installing casino security cameras:

• Power source: When installing cameras at a casino, it is crucial to consider the power source, which will affect the complexity of the installation. AC- and DC-powered cameras might require additional cables, whereas PoE (Power over Ethernet) systems get their power through the same line that connects them to the network.

• Placement: Choosing the correct placement and mounting height can significantly improve the effectiveness of surveillance systems. Don’t forget to account for any obstructions or potential blind spots that could affect image quality.

• Cabling: Cables must be properly installed, so it doesn’t interfere with normal operations or create trip hazards for customers.

• Networking: Depending on how the casino chooses to set up its security camera system, network configurations may need to be updated for systems to function correctly.

• Lighting conditions: Poor lighting conditions can make it difficult for regular cameras to capture footage successfully. Low-light cameras might be required to cover these areas. 

• Weatherproofing: If the cameras will be used outside, proper weatherproofing is a must to protect against water damage and other environmental factors.

• Storage space: When choosing a security camera system, consider how much space is required to store and retain footage and data. Also consider how much space is needed for hardware and on-site devices like servers and DVR or NVR video security storage.

• Viewing options: Casinos may need remote access to the surveillance system from multiple locations or devices, which may require additional workstations or a cloud video security solution.

• Data protection: Since casinos handle sensitive personal information, data protection measures shouldn’t be overlooked. At the bare minimum, robust encryption protocols and regular backups of footage and other data must be implemented.

General budgeting considerations for casino cameras

Purchasing and installing casino camera systems can be costly, so it is essential to consider several factors when budgeting.

• Initial investment: When putting together a budget, it is essential to factor in the initial investment required for the hardware and components. The number of cameras, the type of recorders and storage devices and cabling should all be included.

• Maintenance costs: Consideration must be given to potential maintenance costs for software upgrades, cabling upkeep and other repairs or replacements.

• Employee training expenditures: If the casino staff requires training to operate the security camera system, this should be factored into the budget.

• Data storage fees: Any additional fees for data storage, such as cloud storage for security cameras, should be included.

• Insurance expenses: Depending on the type of system chosen for the casino, additional insurance expenses may be required to cover any damage or loss of data.

• Security contractor expenses: If a security contractor is used to install or manage the security camera system, their fees should be considered. Remember to also factor in regular in-person system maintenance and costs for on-site device updates. 

• Power requirements: Depending on the power requirements for your casino security cameras, your budget may need to include additional network switches, routers and other components.

• Future expansion costs: It is recommended to factor in future costs for a casino security camera system, such as additional cameras or storage space requirements.

Best practices for managing casino video security

Managing casino video surveillance and security systems can often be done from a central casino security room or control center. Staff can monitor multiple camera feeds simultaneously and easily access footage when needed. On-premise video security systems will require a dedicated staff to manage the system. With cloud-managed or cloud-native systems, operators can take advantage of remote access that allows security to watch live or recorded video from anywhere via a web browser. This makes it easy to monitor multiple cameras and locations in one centralized dashboard. 

One of the goals for security management is to simplify processes, and built-in AI capabilities like instant alerts, detecting objects, people and vehicles, and heat mapping allow security teams to view activities in real-time and be more efficient in responding to potential incidents. 

It is also important to have a casino CCTV system where video footage can be easily retrieved for the purposes of auditing and presenting evidence to the authorities if an incident occurs. Features such as clip sharing, and the ability to integrate with emergency systems can also help casinos communicate with first responders.

Integrating casino cameras into existing security systems

When integrating casino cameras into an existing security system, it is vital to ensure that the new system is compatible with existing hardware and software. Some of the factors to consider when integrating systems include connectivity, compatibility, software and storage. 

When pairing new cameras with existing video infrastructure, look for cameras that operate on the same Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) standards to maximize interoperability. The new cameras must be compatible with existing security systems and software to read and transfer data, such as network video recorders. Check that the cameras can work with the existing security system software or video management system (VMS), and that the system’s storage requirements are taken into consideration, such as additional hard drives or other forms of data storage. 

Working with camera providers that leverage open architecture will also simplify integration across wider security platforms, such as access control, alarms and smart lock systems to build holistic security practices and streamline security management for casinos.

Investing in the best casino security cameras for your business

Casino security cameras are an essential part of any security system for the gaming industry. They provide an invaluable tool that can be used to identify threats the moment they occur so teams can take immediate, targeted action.

The key to a successful casino camera system lies in effective planning. Every step is critical, from choosing installation locations to the types of cameras, and implementing and managing the system. 

Additionally, it’s vital to consider any existing security system components or future integration needs when installing new casino cameras, ensuring they are compatible with existing hardware and software.

By effectively planning and installing a secure casino camera system, casino operators can ensure that their premises are safe and secure.