Facial recognition technology takes the next step

The enforcement of problem gambling bans and self-exclusion via facial recognition at South Australian pubs, clubs and casinos is the work of Vix Vizion and telecoms company Cradlepoint’s technology.

Biometric Update reports that the facial recognition capability has been deployed at more than 80 per cent of South Australia’s gambling venues.

Vix Vixion’s face biometric technology works via NetCloud, connecting the facial recognition devices to a Cradlepoint router, enabling round-the-clock monitoring.

The scheme involves a government-managed list of excluded people, so on-device face recognition is not appropriate.

“We had several critical capabilities that our wireless network solution must meet to support our facial recognition devices,” Vix Vizion Product and Channel manager Fraser Larcombe said. 

“It must be robust, bullet-proof, secure, with the ability to access each machine from anywhere. 

The Cradlepoint router automatically switches to 4G connectivity if internet connection is lost, enabling continual remote access to the device and management, as well as being able to meet state regulatory requirements.

Larcombe said having the company’s development team in Queensland makes it easy to respond quickly to customer needs.

“A staff member reported just the other day that an individual who had been placed on the exclusion list some years earlier tried to enter one of our venues and looked nothing like they did in the official file photo, but were picked up by the technology” Hurley Hotel Group and Vix Vizion customer Michelle Rowley said.

Ultra-accurate facial recognition systems developed

Meanwhile, gambling consultancy Crucial Compliance is enhancing its existing responsible gaming controls via its partnership with The Face Recognition Company.

FRC said it has developed an ultra-accurate facial recognition system using AI facial analysis comparisons with biometric databases for purposes of security intelligence.

The multi-view cameras are able to work even when face masks are worn and in low light conditions typically found in casinos and retail premises.

“The Face Recognition Company is at the cutting-edge of face recognition technology and we are delighted to integrate their solution into our compliance and BI platforms, allowing operators to take integrated player protection to the next level,” Crucial Compliance’s Paul Foster said.

SA implements more facial recognition technology at more venues

In May 2021, the SA Government said that more than 230 gambling venues in the state have installed facial recognition technology as part of moves aimed at tackling gambling-related harm.

Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said venues have been able to install technology following the commencement of sweeping reforms in December 2020.

“Under the reforms, hotels and clubs with more than 30 poker machines where any of those machines are able to accept bank notes, must use facial recognition technology to help detect people who have barred themselves or have been barred due to issues associated with gambling-related harm,” Attorney-General Chapman said.

“Facial recognition technology must also be operated at the Adelaide Casino.

“Since early December, when these reforms came into effect, more than 50 million faces have been scanned using facial recognition technology in South Australia, with more than 1,700 detections of potentially barred patrons.

“It’s also pleasing to note that venues that are not required to install facial recognition technology are also taking up this initiative.”

Attorney-General Chapman said the initiative was aimed at better supporting both venues and people at risk of gambling related harm.

“Previously, venue staff would have to remember the faces of all barred patrons and be required to identify them sometimes during peak activity times,” she said.

“By automating a large amount of this work through facial recognition, staff receive an alert and are able to take the appropriate action in response by intervening and ensuring that a barred person is not allowed to gamble.”