DICJ releases more information about artificial intelligence
The Macau gambling regulator has released more information about the use of surveillance and artificial intelligence at local casinos.
Macau.- The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) moved forward with a restriction on the use of artificial intelligence tools at local casinos earlier this week. As some casinos were worried that surveillance would be banned too, the gambling regulator released on Thursday a clarification on the restriction.
The DICJ said that digital surveillance equipment will still be available for operators. However, they will need to obtain the necessary approvals in order to install the equipment.
“The installation of any electronic surveillance and control equipment in the casinos depends on the concessionaires submitting an application to the DICJ,” said the regulator to the Macau Daily Times.
The gambling regulator explained that in the consideration of the application, it will take into consideration the nature of the equipment’s safety and its compliance with the relevant gaming and privacy protection legislation in Macau.
The previous announcement
Earlier this week, it was reported that the regulator urged casinos not to install surveillance equipment without approval. According to people that have seen the document dated July 30, this directive includes cameras or facial recognition systems. While the bureau hasn’t publicly commented on this new measure, the rules came into effect on August 1.
Previous investigations had shown that casinos used artificial intelligence to track gamblers. The data then provided the casinos ways to spot the customers likely to lose the most money.
Macau’s gambling revenues fall in July
The gambling market experienced a setback in July. Gross gambling revenue (GGR) declined 3.5% to €2.7 billion when compared to the same period last year. Last month’s results interrupted a two-month street of growth in the Chinese gambling hub.
According to the latest financial report released by the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, July marked the fourth month in 2019 to register a year-on-year decline on gambling revenues. GGR for the first seven months of the year stood at €19.3 billion. This is also 0.9% down from the same period last year. Moreover, last month’s results missed the estimated 2% increase that analysts had predicted for July.
