MGM discusses facial recognition in Macau
Grant Bowie, CEO of MGM China Holdings, addressed facial recognition technology in Macau as they wait for guidelines to enforce it.
Macau.- Facial recognition technology’s usage at casinos is becoming a worldwide trend. As MGM has yet to install its systems in the territory, the company revealed it awaits for government’s guidelines to do so.
MGM China Holdings CEO Grant Bowie explained the company’s delay on the matter. “We acknowledged and recognised that there are significant privacy issues,” (about facial recognition technology) said Mr Bowie. “We will be waiting for the [Macau] government to provide clear guidelines as to ‘what’ and ‘how’ we would implement it if that was deemed appropriate by them,” he added.
Commenting to reporters, Bowie explained MGM China had a “very sophisticated surveillance system.” It was “designed to ensure probity, integrity and safety” of its gaming operations. “For us, at this point in time, it seems to be sufficient,” he said.
“Technologies change and evolve, but particularly for facial recognition we need clear guidelines from the government,” Bowie assured.
Recent details
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 recently released 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.
