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Casinos go digital

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – As reported by the Las Vegas Business Press: "Casino operators nationwide are set to re-invest millions into their surveillance departments in order to replace aging analog recording devices with new digital technology. While the upgrades might mean some will lose their jobs, it could also revolutionize the role surveillance technicians play in the overall operation of casinos, industry experts say.

"'Surveillance is becoming the caretaker of the brand,' said Dean McBride, corporate director of surveillance for Harrah's Entertainment. 'Pretty soon surveillance will be the gatekeeper for the entire operation.'

"Changes in digital technology are spurring reluctant casino operators to invest in a facet of operations that is typically a necessary cost, not a profit center. Experts believe that will change and casinos will actually see a return on their investment as a result of digital technology's capabilities, compared to the bulky limitations of traditional video surveillance.

"…One new capability, for example, involves video-analytics technology. Now, a property can program cameras and other recording devices to alert surveillance technicians when something out of the ordinary is occurring.

"…Moti Shabtai, executive vice president of NICE, an Israeli surveillance-equipment manufacturer, said this technology is field-tested and proven…"

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