Konami Gaming and Xailient will launch new features for SYNK Vision players at G2E Las Vegas 2024.
Press release.- Konami Gaming and Xailient have announced that SYNK Vision™, "the world's only facial recognition solution for electronic gaming machines (EGM)," has been expanded to offer instant recognition of casino players at table games. Konami will demonstrate the solution at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, which will take place from October 8 to 10.
In 2023, the launch of SYNK Vision revolutionized player tracking and harm minimization by offering both carded (known) and anonymous (unknown) players the ability to log in instantly, eliminating the need for player loyalty cards or other login methods in the player tracking system.
Thanks to Xailient's secure facial recognition technology, Konami's SYNK Vision addresses issues such as identity fraud, duplicate player records, and gaps in player tracking data, even for anonymous users. By employing secure and patented facial recognition methods, SYNK Vision enables de-identified tracking of all players, whether carded or anonymous, eliminating gaps in anti-money laundering procedures, as all players are tracked, and facilitates the anonymous acquisition of bonuses.
Moreover, SYNK Vision is not limited to gaming environments but can also recognize and reward players in non-gaming areas, offering a comprehensive solution that enhances the overall customer experience in various settings.
With the addition of SYNK Vision for table games, casinos can benefit from seamless player tracking at table games (both carded and non-carded), providing a consistent player experience throughout the establishment. SYNK Vision for tables uses smart cameras to detect players seated at the tables, integrating with the player rating system to streamline operations and ensure accurate data entry.
Artificial intelligence (AI) assists casino staff by automating the tasks of identifying and verifying the identity of players, eliminating the possibilities of human error and streamlining the player experience from the moment they sit down to when they make a purchase.
Tom Soukup, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer of Systems at Konami Gaming, stated: "The job of table game staff is becoming increasingly difficult, SYNK Vision returns staff to their primary role of customer service and entertainment more quickly. Staff enjoy interacting with players, but sometimes the role of checking IDs and tracking AML is an impediment to establishing a good relationship. This extension of SYNK Vision for table games helps keep the fun."
Smart cameras process AI within the camera itself, rather than transmitting video for processing on servers or in the cloud, and can be easily installed on EGMs or at the tables. This decentralized processing approach, known as "Edge AI," drastically reduces the costs associated with AI systems because there is no need to upgrade existing networks and servers. This approach also improves security and privacy.
Lars Oleson, CEO of Xailient, declared: "Edge AI changes the game. Casinos can deploy this technology without major infrastructure upgrades, reducing costs, risks, and hassles. The bottom line is that we can affordably offer a better customer experience without sacrificing their 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.
Gerard Crosby, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer of Gaming at Konami Gaming and Director of Konami Australia, added: "In the Asia-Pacific market, and in Australia, under new regulatory restrictions in particular, secure and unique player identity becomes key to good operational governance of casinos. Whether it's ensuring the identity linked to AML transactions or the identity of players redeeming a promotional activity, SYNK Vision uniquely provides casinos with best-practice technological solutions."
Jay Bertch, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Konami Gaming, emphasized: "Cards have known friction points, but the anonymous (or unknown) player is probably much larger than we can measure. Consider a player who has left their card in the room and has met with some friends for dinner. Will they play while waiting? Or, since they are not earning points, do they get distracted with their phone? SYNK Vision removes that impediment to the customer experience by allowing the player to 'clock in' through facial recognition."
Among the highlights of SYNK Vision are:
SYNK Vision is revolutionizing the standards of the casino industry in terms of harm minimization, secure identity management, and responsible gaming, and has been made possible thanks to the close strategic collaboration between Konami Gaming and Xailient. SYNK Vision is a testament to the shared dedication of the industry to innovation and improving the overall casino experience.
The figures from the 2023 annual gaming report were presented with a marked trend of growth in online gaming and audience.
Spain.- The public gaming sector reached €5.000m, compared to €1.200m for online gaming and €1.170m for land-based gaming. The General Directorate for Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) published its new Annual Gaming Report 2023, which includes the most relevant data from the Spanish market. This report was prepared by the DGOJ in collaboration with the various autonomous communities.
The GGR (gross gaming revenue) of the private regional sector reached €1.170m euros. Within this, casino games represent 32 percent, with €376m, betting 65.6 percent (€417m), and bingo 32.2 percent (€376.6m).
As for online gaming, revenues reached €1.236,7m, representing an increase of 28 percent compared to 2022. Of this amount, the majority 50.5 percent corresponds to casino games, with €624.8m, while betting accounts for 39.8 percent (€491.8m). Poker, on the other hand, concentrates 8.5 percent of the total, with €105m.
The marketing expenditure during 2023 amounted to €402.78m, which implies an increase of 7.55 percent compared to the previous year. Within this expenditure, affiliate expenses grew by 21.70 percent, advertising rose by 9.24 percent, sponsorship increased by 38.43 percent, and promotions by 2.84 percent.
See also: Gaming licenses in Spain: the DGOJ grants extensions to several operators
The betting segment experienced a growth of 36.57 percent compared to the previous year. According to the DGOJ, this increase is mainly due to traditional counterparty sports betting, which grew by 15.30 percent, and live betting, which increased by 48.73 percent. Bingo, on the other hand, also experienced a slight increase in 2023, with an annual variation of 0.90 percent.
