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Catching Slot Cheaters

Recent headlines reported the loss of over $400,000 to slot cheaters at a Pennsylvania casino.

While the investigation continues into exactly how the cheating was done and who all were involved, what interests me is why scams such as these are not caught earlier. The cheats always figure out new ways to beat us and we usually are a step behind while we figure out what they’re doing, but there are ways to speed up the process of detection.

A lot of traditional surveillance departments use the random patrol method of detection. This means that they are swinging their cameras around the property looking for something that just doesn’t look right or someone known to them as a bad guy. While this method works it is extremely limited. You have to count on being in the right place at the right time.

Nowadays, surveillance operations must be proactive. We must be looking for the scam before it happens. It’s great when we catch the crime but usually by the time we do so it’s too late. The property has already lost the money (in the case above hundreds of thousands of dollars) and it almost always is unrecoverable.

Technology has helped both the bad guys and us. They can steal more, faster, using computer technology, and they are. If you have any doubts about that statement just Google “casino crime” and see what you get!

Technology helps us detect crime faster because almost everything the bad guys do to us using the computer leaves a trail on the computer. This trail is uncovered through exception information and reports, and other types of indicators. Unfortunately,   most of us haven’t caught up to where technology now is and we are not using it to help us in our daily operations.

Proactive surveillance operation and up to date training that includes internal theft and fraud detection techniques are absolutely critical for the protection of the entire property.

Please contact me if you have any questions or comments about surveillance operations at info@djbosspi.com

Best Practices in Security Surveillance

A growing number of gaming properties split up surveillance operations between two teams; aptly named Gaming Surveillance and Security Surveillance. This is a great way to break up responsibilities for protecting critical areas, especially since in today’s world: all areas are critical! Normally, the responsibilities assigned to each surveillance team follows traditional roles: gaming surveillance covers the casino (games, cage, slots, etc) security surveillance is usually assigned retail (gift shops, mall areas) food and beverage (bars, restaurants) back of the house (employee areas, kitchens, storage areas) and guest areas (parking lots, hotel).

While gaming surveillance is usually thought to be dealing with the bigger losses and problems in gaming such as thieves, cheats and advantage players, we can’t afford to forget about what security surveillance will deal with. Look what’s been in the news lately (and a major concern of the Nevada Gaming Control Board): pools, nightclubs, marketing promotions and players clubs. These areas are normally not major concerns but today can affect a property’s gaming license, reputation and profits.

Usually when we assign surveillance duties to Security we fail to provide them with the training they need to protect the property successfully. In fact, we often do not even assign officers to the surveillance room on a permanent basis but rotate officers through on a “who’s available” basis. Obviously, the opportunity for proper training is minimal.

Best practices in surveillance training recommend that surveillance personnel are trained in:

• Camera Operation
• Patrol Techniques
• Loss Prevention
• Parking Lot Security
• Nightclub and Pool Security
• Detection Techniques
• Evidence Gathering and Incident Response
• Operating Procedures (for all departments being observed , supported and protected)

Casino security surveillance departments that provide their officers training in the recommended best practices will develop a proactive, professional and successful operation.

See Security Surveillance Operations for further information

Surveillance Audit Kits

Surveillance audit kits developed by Derk J. Boss are now available! Obtain the forms and information you need to perform professional and successful audits of your key operations and transactions.

Kits are $200 each. Contact Derk at info@djbosspi.com for further information.

 

Upcoming Events and Training Programs

Soft Count: Theft and Embezzlement in the Count Room
(with Bob Del Rossi, Moderator, Steve Bobb, George Jenkot)
November 16, 2009
Time: 0900 - 1000

Managing the Scam Factor: Casino Promotions
(with Jessie Beaudoin, Craig Greene, Abe Martin)
Time: 1015 - 1115
G2E 2009
Las Vegas, NV
http://www.globalgamingexpo.com/en/Conference-Info-/Security--Surveillance-Institute/

Security Surveillance Operations
December 7-8, 2009
UNLV’s International Gaming Institute
http://igi.unlv.edu

Internal Theft Tour 2010 (with Michael Joseph)
January 18 – 19, 2010
Sycuan Casino and & Resort
San Diego, CA
www.Internalthefttour.com.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss information in the newsletter further

Please Contact:
Derk J. Boss, CFE, CPP, CSP
Private Investigator License #1476
702-371-6447
Contact Us

The information contained within this newsletter is the opinion of the writer only and is not legal advice. Please seek legal advice from a legal counsel.

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