With the implied increase of terrorist threats and actions in the aftermath of September 11th, casinos and law enforcement agencies have been on a heightened state of alert. Regardless of this emphasis and increased presence, while overall crime has decreased, violent crime has increased in many gaming communities with a renewed trend of armed robberies directed at casinos themselves.
In a string of incidents unprecedented in decades, several Las Vegas establishments have been victims of several holdups during the past three years. If nothing else, this has served as a reminder that in spite of continually improving security measures, no plan or system is foolproof. Although there are several video tapes of the intruders at each crime, the less than stellar images that are typical of VCR tapes makes apprehension a difficult proposition.
In spite of working in a high-tech and pervasive security environment, employees seem to fall prey to their own avarice with surprising regularity. Although employees are frequently briefed on the basics of an establishment’s security and surveillance measures, they somehow seem to forget that no matter where, a camera is always monitoring their actions.
Surveillance systems are clearly a part of the solution, especially when integrated with other security technologies. One such incident in a Colorado casino linked the opening of a slot machine for maintenance to the surveillance system. By monitoring the cameras, the security staff was able to determine that a technician responsible for clearing jammed machines was pocketing some of the change; enough change to significantly enhance the technician’s lifestyle.
Most employee theft is caught after accounting checks and balances of cash drawers and working safes detect a shortage. After a bit of investigative work, suspects are quickly identified. All it usually takes after that is a detailed review of the casino’s surveillance history tapes. Once again however, the technology is not foolproof. “The VCR’s help, but they’re not perfect” admitted one security manager in Atlantic City. “You can’t always see what’s going on. At times it’s just not clear enough.
Like most businesses dealing with the public, casinos must deal with the routine of customers attempting to pass bad checks or credit cards. In Indiana, law enforcement officials estimate nearly 98% of all customer based crime that is committed at casinos involves credit card fraud, stolen checks or counterfeit money.
The fatal flaw in this strategy is that most casinos and gaming establishments have strong working relationships with local law enforcement, as well as substantial resources themselves. And unlike the fraud that is committed in other retail establishments, the crimes in casinos hurt state and local government revenues as well. And that motivates investigators.Says one security professional, "If someone was going to cash a bad check, why would they do it here instead of some mall where municipal police generally don't go to those lengths?".
Another crime frequently perpetrated against casinos is the filing of fraudulent insurance claims. From faked stairwell accidents to prearranged slipping in the hallway, casino operators have probably seen it all. But the threat of litigation from the supposed ‘injuries’ has been minimized by technology. One Las Vegas casino spokesperson noted that their extensive video surveillance coverage had changed the way the casino handles these incidents. Once the quality of the video had been verified, they let the plaintiffs file the claim, then they initiate prosecution for fraud.
