The casino floor of the future is taking shape, and it’s not just about glitzy lights and high-stakes bets — it’s about smart tables, AI-driven analytics, and a data-first mindset that’s poised to transform how casinos operate, are marketed, and ensure compliance.

That was the message delivered during a lively panel at G2E Asia’s 2025 conference at The Venetian Macau, where industry leaders unpacked the accelerating role of table game technology under the banner “Revolutionizing Casino Operations: Navigating the Future of Table Games Technology.”

The session featured insights from Bryan Jenkins, Managing Director of Angel Australasia, and Clayton Peister, Managing Director & Analyst at Differential Labs, both of whom are at the forefront of deploying and analyzing smart table systems across Asia-Pacific casinos.

Responding to concerns that cutting-edge technology might overwhelm frontline casino staff, Jenkins said one of the key principles behind the smart table design was making the tech as “unobtrusive as possible.” For dealers, he emphasized, the changes are minimal — mostly encompassing the removal of manual tasks — designed to let them operate “as they always have.”

“It’s not just about the table,” said Jenkins. “You’re dealing with an ecosystem that touches surveillance, training, and player engagement. But for the dealer, it’s not a disruption — it’s a simplification.”

A new era of real-time player insight

Peister, whose firm specializes in data analytics, argued that smart tables are giving casinos a far more granular view of player behavior than ever before — and challenging long-held assumptions.

“We used to think we understood how players engaged based on post-game reports,” said Peister. “But now, we can look at every round — win rates, hold percentages, and bet dynamics — at the transactional level. We’re learning, for example, that most players lose quickly and walk away, which changes how we think about loyalty, marketing, and floor layout.”

This real-time data isn’t just for internal optimization. It’s opening the door to dynamic marketing, tailored incentives, and personalized player engagement.

“Think of it as moving toward an e-commerce model,” Peister said. “You’re understanding the player in the moment and responding accordingly.”

Regulation and privacy

But with great data comes great regulatory responsibility.

Both speakers acknowledged the sensitivity around artificial intelligence in the gambling space, especially when it comes to surveillance, player tracking, and marketing. Jenkins said the industry’s approach with regulators must be step-by-step, focused on education and transparency.

“It’s about showing that technology actually enhances game integrity,” Jenkins noted. “You can prove the layout is correct, you can detect anomalies, and yes — you can increase table yield.”

Peister added that ethical AI was top of mind for many operators and developers, particularly regarding data privacy and responsible marketing.

“There’s a line between personalization and intrusion,” he said. “The challenge is building safeguards and making sure regulators are part of the conversation.”

Indeed, smart tables may help regulators do their jobs better, offering real-time insights into AML compliance, KYC tracking, and the performance of approved games.

When it comes to convincing operators to invest in smart table technology, Jenkins said the conversation is moving beyond theoretical.

“Yes, there are intangibles — faster game play, fewer manual errors — but we’re starting to see tangible returns,” he said. “One customer saw a significant increase in hold percentage after implementation. We estimate payback within two years, based on feedback.”

Peister noted that once transactional data is properly integrated, it becomes a platform for predictive modeling, giving properties the ability to test promotions, assess game changes, and forecast high-value customer behavior.