By Miki Manjal

Welcome to the first column of a new series on security trends in casino and the gaming industry from Pelco by Schneider Electric. Our goal is to provide you with information, trends, and technologies to help better protect your guests, employees, and critical assets and adhere to stringent regulations to maintain compliance.

One major transformation in casino surveillance and security operations is the transition from analog video to digital recording and IP-cameras. The change is being brought about by several factors: some gaming commissions now insist on remote access to recorded or live video, which analog video cannot do; many manufacturers no longer make or sell VCRs; and analog systems have limitations on cable distances and distribution points, which limits their functionality.

In addition, advancements in how IP security cameras work and the value that they provide are making it more attractive for casinos and gaming facilities to make the transition. With IP technology, surveillance systems can deliver a higher quality image, store it for longer, and integrate analytics to further enhance their overall value.

In addition, cameras on entrances and exits are crucial for casinos. Should a person of interest or a banned person enter the casino, it?s essential to know as quickly as possible. Wide Dynamic Range technology in IP-cameras can ensure that cameras in these areas accurately capture detailed images regardless of lighting challenges, which increases the application and accuracy of advanced analytics such as facial recognition.

IP-camera systems can also help casinos with retention and storage that is essential to the operation of their surveillance system. With an analog system, it?s difficult to meet regulation guidelines for retention, in addition to generating compliant quality video data. Digital megapixel cameras provide a high pixel count with fewer cameras, while IP-cameras provide improved video compression, reducing the cost of video and data storage.

Another key advantage that IP-cameras offer is analytics, which can better identify persons of interest or watch lists. With analytics, high priority persons of interest can be put on display as a digital slideshow right next to a live surveillance feed and be tied to watch lists. With analytics implemented on an IP system, an algorithm can use a casino?s vast database of video to track patterns of behavior and movement and watch for potential threats. IP video surveillance delivers an accurate picture of what occurred at any given time, allowing security and surveillance managers to achieve high levels of safety while building proactive risk mitigation programs.

Casinos and gaming facilities are increasingly migrating from analog to IP-camera systems, or some combination of both, that offer virtually unlimited scalability, capitalize on powerful analytics, and deliver new levels of cost-efficiency across the enterprise. All sound business reasons to substantiate the continued enhancement and expansion of surveillance and security operations in the gaming world.

About The Author:
Miki Manjal
Global Vertical Market Manager, Casinos & Gaming
Pelco by Schneider Electric