News & Events
Betting big: Casino replaces three analog systems with '100 percent IP'
LAS VEGAS—Casinos must abide by strict regulations when it comes to the video surveillance systems deployed to protect and monitor gaming activities. So when the gaming commission approached Jeremy Stamis, the general manager of Jerry’s Nugget Casino here in Las Vegas, he knew there had to be some major changes to the security program. “Initially we were contacted by the gaming control board saying the coverage in our main pit was not adequate and they needed to be able to see suits and numbers on cards,” said Stamis.
But the biggest challenge for the casino was not simply in improving the quality of the video, but rather trying to monitor the three disparate analog video surveillance systems it had in place. The first system was a six-year-old analog system recording to a VCR that was non-gaming regulated and used to monitor the casino’s back-of-the-house operations including its restaurants. The second system was a four-year-old analog system recording to a non-regulated DVR that was the casino’s first effort to move to digital. And the third system was its gaming-regulated DVR system, which the gaming commission said needed to be higher quality. “Our agents had to use all three different systems to review and watch and it was kind of a cumbersome process to get any type of video,” he said.
After the gaming commission’s request, Stamis decided that it was time to go 100-percent IP using NVRs. The casino is about five months into installing high-resolution, IP-based megapixel cameras from Basler. In the initial phase of the deployment, the casino installed 40 1.3 megapixel cameras, recording at 30 frames per second. Currently, the casino is awaiting approval by the gaming commission before moving onto the deployment of approximately 150 additional IP cameras. In addition to having higher quality footage, Stamis expects to use fewer cameras to cover the same area.
For this installation, the casino had to build out an entirely separate network for its surveillance system. While he has used an integrator, Southwest Surveillance Systems, to purchase equipment and provide consultations, Stamis expects to do the majority of the installation using in-house personnel.
While the casino is only legally required to keep video for seven days, Stamis said often events are reported well after that seven-day period. The casino decided to store video for six months and deployed TimeSight Systems video lifecycle management software, which reduces the storage space required by periodically compressing the size of video files as they are stored over time.
Once the system is completed, Stamis said the casino can then start considering additional ways to utilize the technology. For example, it would beneficial to install video monitors in the pit area where live games are played so personnel can ensure bets are properly made on site rather than having to call up to the surveillance room for periodic reviews. Remote monitoring would also help its security personnel have direct and real-time information about what is happening on the casino floor, but Stamis said the gaming control board is very strict when it comes to remote access to surveillance equipment and the casino would have to seek approval.
Also, video analytics is another advanced technology that Stamis is evaluating, however he doesn’t think it has been perfected to the point he would feel comfortable deploying it. At some point in the future it would beneficial to be able to import pictures of terminated employees, for example, and be notified if they enter the property. He also envisions using video analytics to monitor the casino’s bars to ensure that bartenders are correctly charging patrons for drinks.
'It was kind of a cumbersome process to get any type of video' - 03.01.2011