IoT in Gambling and Casinos: A Trend for Improving User Experience and Minimizing Fraud

With each new day, the Internet of Things and IoT-capable smart devices have found themselves being used in a new field. This time, the use of IoT technology has expanded to the field of online gambling and traditional casinos. 

Why is IoT in Gambling Gaining Popularity?

For those that are unfamiliar with IoT, IoT refers to the “Internet of Things.” IoT describes a network of both virtual and physical things. IoT-enabled devices are generally referred to as “smart” devices, which means that they can receive and upload data to the cloud at all times. IoT-enabled devices may vary in how “smart” they are, but these devices generally all share the same objective of either supporting a common ecosystem (such as a smart house) or sending information about a particular user. As such, IoT-enabled devices have the potential to collect and share a veritable goldmine of data and analytics on any particular user.

And now the gambling sector has found itself increasingly availing itself of IoT-enabled devices’ uses. For example, the implementation of IoT devices and capabilities have allowed casinos to reach a bigger audience and provide more of its services around the clock. 

How IoT in Gambling Casinos Can Improve User Experience and Forgery Issues

IoT can also be used in non-customer-facing ways. For example, IoT has allowed for casinos to improve the security in their brick-and-mortar establishments. In particular, this has allowed for smart mirrors and lighting that can constantly speak to each other, allowing for real-time monitoring of customers in a variety of new ways. For example, an increasing number of casinos have begun to deploy smart locks and smart motion-detection devices that have allowed for them to cut costs where it previously had to employ human security guards to walk the floor.

Lastly, however, the most commonly implemented use of IoT in the gambling sector has been the integration of radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) chips into casino chips. The use of RFID chips in casino chips prevents unauthorized use, theft, and forgery. And with connection to the cloud, these chips can now collect and provide data analytics that track and analyze players’ habits and engagement. Such data can improve a casino’s security and also help online gambling services better tailor advertising to any specific user. 

Key Takeaways for Use of IoT in Gambling 

IoT has expanded its reach to online gambling and traditional casinos:

• through its integration of RFID into casino chips; and

• sharing data analytics about user-engagement, player habits, and targeted ads and offers.

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