Goldfields Casino and Entertainment Centre in Welkom, part of the global Gold Reef Casino Resorts CAI (Casino Austria International), will become the first casino in Africa to have installed a digital surveillance solution on its gaming floor when it opens early December.
The digital system, which has been installed by Intervid Africa - the regional operation of security solutions provider Intervid Ltd - provides constant monitoring of the casino's gaming floor.
According to Pat Beney, project manager of the Goldfields Casino, continuous recording has always been the name of the game but this was not possible with older digital technology. "Now improvements to digital surveillance opens the door to a new level of functionality in physical security and surveillance and offering better quality, scalability, speed, capacity and remote access than allowed for by analog technology," he says.
Intervid Africa's Cape Town office has also installed a similar pilot system at Sun International's new flagship, the Grandwest Casino and Entertainment World in the Western Cape. The digital solution, which currently mirrors the casino's existing analog system, has been vigorously analysed by the Western Cape Gambling Board and the casino surveillance team over the past four months. The popular venue intends to overhaul its entire surveillance system in phases over the next few years.
Johan van Wyk, Grandwest Casino's surveillance manager, says the digital solution is the only one that he has seen that fully satisfies the demanding security requirements of a gaming environment. "Our gaming regulations require surveillance that allows for realtime recording so that all hand movements at tables and slot machines are captured. We also have to be able to identify money and the colours of the chips.
"We have investigated a number of digital systems, but none have fully met the criteria required of a surveillance system in this industry until now."
Intervid's VIP 8000 Surveillance System has been specifically designed to allow for realtime recording as well as audio recording on all channels. The VIP 8000, which was introduced to Europe by Intervid last year and launched locally at the beginning of this year is not only impacting on the way in which casinos manage security and surveillance, but has also promoted the review of gaming regulations," says Yagan Nair Risk Analyst at Intervid Cape Town.
"The transition from an analog to a digital system is not as complicated or as difficult as assumed," adds Nair. "Existing cameras and cabling can be retained and the analog systems are easily replaced with digital systems.
"Even more important, the key to the success and eventual replacement of the analog system is that once the digital system is installed, it becomes a foundation for organisational innovation and expansion. Digital systems take advantage of evolving technology and can be easily integrated with other digital equipment, networks and systems - providing for flexible and economical long-term implementation strategies."
For more information contact Yagan Nair, Intervid Africa, 021 532 0291.
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