The eye in the sky can now see better than ever. New Internet protocol (IP)-based megapixel cameras are becoming more common in the casino environment, bringing with them advantages such as clearer images, better resolution and the ability to cover larger areas with fewer cameras. Surveillance systems that incorporate megapixel or high-definition (HD) cameras are better equipped to monitor fast-paced gaming action and better able to differentiate the suits of a playing card, the numbers on a die, or the quick moves of a cheater looking for an advantage over the casino.
Native American casinos are leading the transition to IP-based video in the gaming arena, with many casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City still using analog systems. The recession has likely slowed the transition to networked systems as hard-hit casinos delay system upgrades and investments until better economic times. However, the newer IP camera systems are worth the investment. They offer performance that is far superior to analog video, restricted as it is to a specific resolution that was the industry standard for almost 70 years. Newer IP-based systems enable use of megapixel cameras to provide images with a million or more pixels, which equates to much more detailed resolution compared to standard network or analog cameras.