The adoption of smart table technology is transforming the casino landscape, providing unprecedented benefits in security, fraud prevention, and player tracking, technology suppliers indicated.
Two of the leading smart table suppliers, Walker Digital Table Systems and Angel, shared their insights on the advantages of these cutting-edge systems at a round table during the G2E Asia conference in Macau.
Members of the industry indicated that by integrating advanced security features, AI-powered observations, and detailed player tracking, these systems offer significant advantages in fraud prevention and operational efficiency.
Stephen Moore, Founder and CEO of Walker Digital Table Systems, highlighted the robust security features of their smart tables. “When a player buys in their chips at a table game, those chips get tracked as a bankroll and unique ID across the floor,” Moore explained.
This tracking capability ensures that chips remain secure and can be deactivated if stolen, providing a significant deterrent against theft. “Within 60 seconds, it can get turned off and it won’t work. It can’t be cashed out or played anywhere,” he added.
The system also offers sophisticated fraud detection. Moore elaborated on a scenario where chips can be selectively deactivated if suspicious behavior is detected.
“If you see the Lucky Xix people and you believe that they’re counting, instead of sending a text message to security to back them off the table, you can make the chips not work,” he said. This proactive approach helps maintain the integrity of the games while minimizing disruptions.
Moore emphasized the benefits of detailed player tracking. “Chip ownership allows you to see people, whether they have an entourage for sharing chips or they’re sharing chips for nefarious reasons,” he noted. This data can be crucial for both security and marketing purposes, allowing casinos to identify groups and tailor their services accordingly.
“We do a network map of the chip passing network. You can see if people are playing at the same table and they’re sharing chips,” Moore explained. This level of insight helps casinos enhance their customer relationships and marketing strategies.
Quantifiable impact on operations
Aaron Raj, Chief Technology Officer at Angel Australasia Pty Ltd, discussed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in their smart table systems.
“The AI, which is just looking at the table, has evolved in the last few years and these AI models provide real-time observations and can detect deviations from expected gameplay,” Raj stated.
The Angel representative explained how the system integrates with physical components to maintain accurate data.
“The system initializes the data so that it knows exactly what has to be collected, where the players have placed their bets, and what is happening,” he detailed. This comprehensive monitoring ensures that any irregularities are promptly addressed, creating a foolproof environment.
The impact of these technologies is evident in operational improvements, while the industry representatives highlighted during the panel the reduction in fraud mitigation and protection, with historical issues like player-dealer collusion and manual rating errors said to have been significantly reduced.
A gaming analytics expert recently told AGB that by the end of 2025, it is expected that all major properties in Macau, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand will adopt some form of smart table technology, primarily for Baccarat due to its implementation ease compared to other games.
