OLG To Use Facial Scans to Aid Problem Gamblers

Across Ontario, racetracks and casinos will soon be implementing new facial recognition technology to help problem gamblers stay out of gambling venues. By the end of 2011, all 27 of Ontario’s casinos will be fitted with this new technology.  With the new facial recognition cameras, casino employees will be able to identify gambling addicts who are part of the province’s self-exclusion program more easily. Staff will be alerted as soon as a patron enters the casino who matches the profile of problem gambler. Using biometric encryption, the system can pick out the face of a person who is registered with the self-exclusion program.  After the security team is notified, they would approach the person and escort them off of the premises. If the problem gambler refuses to leave, then security will issue a trespassing notice.  This should aid greatly in the fight against problem gambling in Ontario. The self exclusion programs of many provinces have failed miserably, allowing members of the program to gamble and lose their life-savings. The BCLC is a prime example of this situation and Ontario does not want to mimic their mistakes. So, the province is taking great care in ensuring that all members of the OLG’s self-exclusion program are given the help they are looking for.