At the Global Table Games and Game Protection Conference in London this week, experts from across the gaming industry gathered to discuss persistent challenges in casino security and compliance. Among the key topics was the growing use of facial intelligence technology to address issues ranging from fraud detection to customer service enhancement. Corsight AI, whose president and chief strategy officer Rob Watts attended the event, was a prominent participant, representing biometric solutions aimed at improving self-exclusion compliance and operational efficiency.
The conference highlighted the increasing role of facial recognition in addressing security gaps. Corsight AI, for its part, recently saw effective deployments of its technology in Australia, where it has partnered with compliance specialist AusComply to enforce self-exclusion policies in Sydney pubs and clubs.
Addressing Problem Gambling with Technology
In Sydney, Corsight AI and AusComply have collaborated to integrate facial recognition systems into venues as part of Australia’s self-exclusion framework. The initiative supports individuals who have voluntarily opted to ban themselves from gambling, aiming to improve enforcement through automated identification.
Jason Thomas, AusComply’s founder and managing director, described how the system uses existing CCTV infrastructure to simplify deployment. “What we’ve done with the ArtHouse is replace their ID scanners at the front door, connected to their existing CCTV infrastructure. So we used existing cameras, existing angles, and existing heights,” Thomas explained.
The system works by comparing live camera feeds against a database of self-excluded individuals. When a match is detected, venue staff are alerted so they can intervene appropriately. Brian Sarkis, General Manager of the ArtHouse Hotel in Sydney, highlighted the practical benefits of the system, particularly in terms of compliance. “It was always going to be a challenge for any gaming room attendee to try and remember pages of faces,” he said. “It’s something that I’ll happily recommend to anybody. And I’m confident with what I’ve got—compliant, does what it’s meant to do, and makes sure it’s all safe.”
Sean Borg, Corsight AI’s Oceania head, emphasized the system’s ability to operate effectively while maintaining privacy. “We’re also offering accuracy and privacy,” Borg said. “We can blur faces live, and once they’re scanned into the system, they’re not on a watch list.”
Expanding Applications in Gaming
The partnership with AusComply also aims to address broader security concerns in gaming environments. Beyond self-exclusion, facial recognition systems can help identify individuals with a history of fraud or card counting, improving security teams’ ability to respond quickly. At the same time, the technology has potential applications in customer engagement, enabling venues to recognize VIP guests and provide personalized service.
In a video detailing Corsight’s Sydney deployments, which also include an implementation at the Gregory Hills Hotel, Jason Thomas noted the technology’s effectiveness under challenging conditions, such as dim lighting at venue entrances. “We’ve got installations where scanning or identifying people coming through the door and their backlit by brilliant sunshine walking into a dim foyer of a venue,” he said.
Privacy and Compliance
As with any biometric technology, privacy remains a central concern. Corsight AI has designed its system to align with regulatory frameworks such as Australia’s privacy laws, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and ISO 42001 standards. Measures such as real-time face blurring and rapid deletion of sensitive data are built into the system to ensure compliance and minimize risks. “Within one one-thousandth of a second, we can completely remove people’s sensitive data,” Thomas said, describing the speed of the data removal process.
These measures are intended to reassure both operators and patrons, addressing concerns about potential misuse of biometric data while enabling effective enforcement of security policies.
Broader Industry Impacts
Corsight AI’s work in Sydney reflects broader trends in the gaming industry’s adoption of advanced technologies. Facial recognition systems are increasingly being used to address compliance, security, and operational challenges. In addition to gaming, Corsight has been expanding its technology into other sectors, such as retail, where it is being used to identify behaviors like sweethearting—an issue in which employees provide unauthorized discounts or free goods.
At the London conference, discussions centered on how facial intelligence can contribute not only to security but also to business growth, particularly by enhancing customer experiences. However, questions about scalability, public acceptance, and the long-term implications of biometric surveillance remain open.
Corsight AI’s partnership with AusComply demonstrates how facial intelligence technology can address specific challenges in gaming environments, particularly in ensuring compliance with self-exclusion policies. While early results in Sydney suggest significant improvements in efficiency and accuracy, the broader adoption of these systems will likely depend on their ability to balance privacy concerns with operational needs. As the industry continues to explore the potential of facial recognition, Corsight’s technology is positioned to play a prominent role in shaping its future applications.
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November 20, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy and Alex Perala
