Casinos in China use hidden cams, facial recognition to spot hidden losers

Macau: Casino operators in Macau have started to deploy hidden cameras, facial recognition technology, digital poker chips and baccarat tables to track the customers who are likely to lose money.

The industry is sluggish on growth front as it is under constant scrutiny from regulators and law enforcement agencies. Two of the major players—Las Vegas Sands Corp. and MGM Resorts International—have started to make use of these technologies on numerous tables.

The technology uses algorithms that process the way customers behave at the betting table to determine their risk appetite. Higher the risk appetite, the more a gambler stands to lose and the more profit a casino tends to make, sometimes up to 10 times.

This usage of high-tech surveillance comes as casino operators struggle for growth in a slowing industry.

Three others, Wynn Macau Ltd., Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. and Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd., are in discussions with suppliers about also deploying the technology, according to the people because they’re not authorized to speak publicly about the plans.

“Facial recognition is very mature in China: border customs has it, banks will soon have it, it’s a trend,” Hindustan Times quoted a casino operator. “If you’re afraid of this, then you’re very likely a criminal and casinos won’t do business with you anyway.”