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1960s–Present8 min readarchitecture

The Architecture of Surveillance

Eyes Everywhere

The Architecture of Surveillance
1960s–Present

The concept of surveillance in casinos is not new, but its sophistication has evolved dramatically. From the early days when mob-run casinos relied on human eyes and ears to current AI-driven monitoring systems, surveillance has become a cornerstone of casino operations.

Eyes in the Sky

The most visible aspect of this surveillance is the cameras. Thousands of them, ranging from discreet, pinhole-sized lenses to larger, more obvious units, cover every inch of the casino floor. They hang from ceilings, are embedded in walls, and even hide in the decorative elements.

The Catwalk Era

In the old days, casinos featured physical catwalks above the gaming floor, where security personnel could watch through one-way glass. This required low ceilings and created cramped, claustrophobic spaces.

The Invisible Watchers

Beneath the surface, a complex network of sensors, algorithms, and human analysts works tirelessly to analyze the data pouring in from these cameras, as well as from player tracking systems and online gaming platforms.

The Future

As technology continues to advance, with the integration of facial recognition, biometric analysis, and predictive analytics, the surveillance capabilities of casinos will become even more sophisticated. You are always being watched.