In 2021, the pandemic could not stop the gambling industry. It made about $44 billion, a record high surpassing 2019’s. The AGA says in-person slots and tabletop games are booming. Games like HellSpin are growing in the industry. With billions at stake, experts expect hackers to target casinos.
You might wonder, “What can be stored on casino chips, playing cards, and dice?” Frankly, quite a lot.
Casino chips, playing cards, dice, and access cards hold information. This blog looks at casino security. It shows how a good destruction plan can better protect their assets.
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)
Casino chips may seem like cheap plastic. But, many need to learn, and they are very advanced. These simple items hold a lot of information. These chips have RFID or radio-frequency identification. It tracks them and broadcasts unique serial IDs over radio frequencies. RFID technology identifies and tracks every chip. It ensures no forgery, cheating, or stealing. Also, each casino has uniquely branded chips. They have unique colors, marked edges, and UV markings that can’t be copied. The RFID-reading technology also detects when counterfeit chips are being used.
You cannot “hack into” casino chips. But, people can steal them for money since they are a currency in casinos. For example, in 2010, a man stole $1.5 million in chips from the Las Vegas Bellagio casino. Yet, the RFID tech in the chips allows authorities to disable them remotely. They could turn off the chips’ transmitters before the robber could cash them in.
What relationships, you ask? Let me give you an example.
Suppose casino personnel put Brian Jones into NORA. The software will scan the casino’s databases. It will find that Mr. Jones, a dealer job applicant, is a notorious poker scammer named Paul Johnson. Also, it can connect people in NORA with similar backgrounds. Once NORA learns that Brian Jones is Paul Johnson, she links Paul to another player, Zachary Jost. The software connects the dots. It finds that Paul and Zachary were fraternity brothers. They were arrested for the same fraud case in college.
Another outcome is NORA finding that the dealer and a player shared an address and phone number. This may mean they are in on a scam together.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, we should mention this. After 9/11, the DHS began using advanced software. It aimed to find links between potential terrorists and criminals.
This is not an exhaustive list. Casinos use other security measures and advanced tracking tech to ensure fair play. They help maintain order. Yet, we’d like to discuss another security method: destroying casino materials.
At SEM, we offer a better alternative: secure, in-house destruction. Our disintegrators, low- and high-volume, can destroy dice, chips, and playing cards. They reduce them to a consistent, pre-set particle size. Casinos hold sensitive data on staff, patrons, finances, and tech. It must be secured, even at end-of-life.
Need something with a higher volume? We suggest an SEM VKE Disintegrator system. Our VKE (value kit enclosure) disintegrator systems include your choice of disintegrator and air system. They use state-of-the-art tech and features. These include a custom MX sound enclosure to reduce noise and dust during operation. They also have a solid steel rotor, 70% heavier than open rotor designs. Finally, there is a user-friendly master control panel.
Final Thoughts
Since 1967, SEM has every device to disintegrate chips, as the casino needs. Our sales team is happy to help with any questions. They can also find the best machine for your destruction needs.