When Did Casinos Start Using Security Cameras?

12.25.2007 | 9:29 pm | News, casinos

While there have been stories of major casino swindles and tricks over the years, the casino of today is very much different from the infamous Monte Carlo Casino.  The casino was famously cleaned out by a gambler who realised that the tables were not level and managed to use this to his advantage.  But do you know when surveillance cameras came in and who used them first?

The first full time casino surveillance cameras were introduced by The Mirage casino, on the Las Vegas Strip, in 1989.  This was perhaps one of the major turning points for the casino industry and the moment when many realised how large the industry could become.  Originally introduced after suspicions of irregular gambling activity the move to higher security in casinos has gone from strength to strength.  Every table, every angle and every gambler is now under review when you enter the main casino venues around the world. 

While the introduction of the security camera has probably scared off a lot of the so called “sharp” gamblers (those willing to use a variety of means to win) there are still a number of known gangs around the world who have and continue to target some of the less security conscious venues.  In an industry where the odds are always in favour of the house, the industry has been shown to be ruthless with those who cross them, but with million of dollars at stake can you really blame them?

Even online casinos have introduced a vast array of security software into their game play, and there have been no major security issues in the online industry since inception.  However, this has not stopped a number of people form using systems and software to try and gain the upper hand, but few have been very successful in their pursuits.