Konami Gaming and Xailient this week announced that SYNK Vision, the world’s only player facial recognition solution for Electronic Game Machines, has been expanded to provide instant recognition of casino players at table games.
Konami is demonstrating the solution at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, October 8 – 10.
In 2023, according to Konami, the launch of SYNK Vision aided in player tracking and harm minimization by offering instant login capabilities for both carded and anonymous players, eliminating the need for player loyalty cards or other methods of logging on player tracking systems. Leveraging privacy-safe facial recognition technology from Xailient, Konami’s SYNK Vision addresses identity fraud, duplicate player records, and gaps in player tracking data, even for anonymous users.
By employing proprietary, secure facial recognition methods, SYNK Vision enables de-identified tracking of all players, whether carded or anonymous, closing loopholes in anti-money laundering procedures since all players are tracked, and facilitates anonymous bonusing.,
“Table games staffs’ jobs keep getting harder,” said Konami Gaming Senior Vice President & Chief Systems Product Officer Tom Soukup in a statement. “SYNK Vision returns the staff to their core role in customer service and entertainment faster. Staff enjoy interacting with players, but sometimes find the role of policing IDs, tracking AML an impediment to building rapport. This table game extension of SYNK Vision helps keep the fun.”
SYNK Vision is not limited to gaming environments. It can also recognize and reward players in non-gaming areas, offering a comprehensive solution that enhances the overall guest experience across various settings.
With the addition of SYNK Vision table games support, casinos can benefit from seamless player tracking at table games (both carded and refused names) for a consistent player experience across the property. SYNK Vision for tables uses smart cameras to detect seated players, integrated with the player ratings system to streamline operations and ensure accurate data entry.
Artificial intelligence helps the casino staff by automating player identification and player identity verification, removing the opportunity for human error and speeding up the player experience from sit-down to buy-in.
Smart cameras process AI inside the camera itself, instead of transmitting video for processing in servers or the cloud and can easily be installed into EGM or on tables. This decentralized approach processing, known as Edge AI, reduces the costs associated with AI systems because existing networks and servers do not need to be upgraded.
“Edge AI is a game changer,” said Xailient CEO Lars Oleson. “Casinos can roll out this technology without major infrastructure upgrades, reducing cost, risk, and hassle. The bottom line is we can affordably deliver enhanced customer experience without sacrificing customer privacy. Together, we are setting the stage for the next generation of gaming experiences.”
SYNK Vision emphasizes secure identity management and harm minimization, ensuring a safer, more responsible, and personalized casino experience.
“In the Asia Pacific market, and Australia, under new regulatory constraints in particular, players’ secure and unique identity becomes key to good operational governance of casinos,” said Konami Gaming Senior Vice President & Chief Games Product Officer and Director of Konami Gaming Australia Gerard Crosby. “Whether to ensure identity linked to AML transactions or identity of players redeeming promotional activity, SYNK Vision exclusively provides casinos with best practice technological solutions.”
Key highlights of SYNK Vision include:
- Cardless login
- Anonymous player tracking and bonusing
- Advanced harm minimization measures
- AML tracking with secure identity management
- Easy installation and integration
“Cards have known friction points, but the anonymous (or unknown player) is likely far larger than we can measure,” said Konami Gaming Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer Jay Bertch. “Consider the situation that a player left their card in their room and are meeting friends for dinner. Will they play while they wait? Or, since they aren’t earning points, do they distract themselves with their phone? SYNK Vision removes that impediment to customer experience by enabling the player to “card-in” via facial recognition.”
