There are many buzzwords floating around the online gambling industry, but one you’ll likely hear more than any other is “artificial intelligence” (AI.) If, in your mind, this concept conjures up imagery of robots and machines taking over the world, you’re not alone! From 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Terminator to I, Robot and many other sci-fi universes, machine versus man is a theme that goes back to the earliest days of computer technology. The good news is that there is no need to fear computers taking over — not yet, anyway!
AI can be found in our day-to-day lives in everything from your social media news feeds to Amazon’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri. The gambling industry is known for staying ahead of the latest trends, and AI technology is one of the driving forces behind the evolution of casino games and modern gambling environments.
So, what’s AI’s role in the gambling industry, and the online gambling industry specifically? Can machine learning systems make gambling safer, fairer, and more fun? Let’s take a look at how casinos are implementing AI tools and AI software to create a better experience for players, from chatbots to ensure 24/7 support to AI with the ability to analyze a player’s potential to fall victim to problem gambling.
What Is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence broadly refers to the area of computer science that uses intelligent machines to work and react in a human-like way. AI makes it possible for machines to learn from experience. AI systems will typically demonstrate “intelligent” traits such as the ability to plan, learn, reason, and solve problems and can even imitate some degree of social intelligence and creativity.
AI in the gambling industry
The gambling industry offers plenty of opportunities for machine learning systems. Some of the areas where casinos are already using AI include marketing, automation, voice and facial recognition, fraud detection, and predictive maintenance. More notably, AI is also used for the casino’s player database – identifying valuable customers via machine learning, as well as providing more responsive customer service.
The upside of casino AI
Customized experiences
Casinos will be able to use AI to continuously adapt and shape in-game experiences to cater to the preferences of the player. What does that mean in practice? Well, for example, AI software can detect each player’s preferred game type and curate their homepage into a selection of games that are guaranteed to appeal most to them. AI can pick out patterns, track trends, and then make practical projections with impressive accuracy. So, if you like to play real online slots, AI can customize your homepage based on your past sessions, allowing players to save time sifting through what can sometimes feel like an endless list of games.
First-class customer service
Automated customer support can use the wealth of data it has access to — including gaming preferences, billing history, gaming habits, and performance — to come to a conclusion about how best to assist you with logical, empathetic, and personalized responses. AI and machine learning systems can help casinos improve customer experience and pave the way for increasingly “human-like” customer service responses, from chatbots ready to assist during your online gameplay to helplines you can call to solve any problems you may be experiencing while playing.
Responsible Gaming
The dangers of gambling have been well-documented, and, unfortunately, in the US alone, there are millions of individuals struggling with gambling addiction. Signs of addiction may include chasing losses, lying about gambling activities, staying up late at night to gamble, borrowing money to continue gambling and not knowing when to stop. The great news is that AI initiatives are being developed to create an environment for more responsible gaming in the future. AI software and technology can help gambling operators identify unhealthy patterns before they become a problem. This technology will be able to detect addiction in players of all ages. With the help of artificial intelligence software, casinos can develop a “safety net” for players most at risk.
An upgrade to the eye in the sky
Artificial intelligence can promote a safer gambling environment through the early detection of cheaters. Being able to interpret and identify suspicious behavior will allow casinos to take the necessary course of action more quickly, catching out fraudsters and cheaters before they’re able to do damage to the establishment or other players. This is particularly useful for online casinos, where there’s no immediate physical threat of a bouncer, or a crowded casino floor where the chances of being caught in the act are higher.
The downside of casino AI
Room for exploitation
At the moment, there are no regulations for automated solutions such as AI since the technology is still relatively new. Regardless, the dawn of the AI casino does come with warranted concern — for example, AI could be used as a tool to keep gamblers hooked by using data to predict and manipulate their behavior.
Threat to the institution of casino gaming
Earlier, we mentioned AI, online casino algorithms, and machine learning being used to prevent cheating and fraud. But AI, like any other tool, can be a formidable weapon in the wrong hands. AI bots could be used to collect scores of data and use machine learning to help gamblers win greater amounts and win more often. The challenge faced by casino operators, then, is to ensure that their AI is more proficient and able to detect and remove any malicious AI programs.
AI poker bots, in particular, have become more common in recent years, which is bad news for any human player looking to take part in a fair game! Obviously, these bots have no emotions, so it’s impossible to intimidate them with bluffs and other strategic moves. They also have machine-like endurance, allowing them to play poker for practically endless periods without showing any signs of the emotional strain that would impact a human’s ability at the virtual table. Never mind the bot’s superpower of learning your patterns by analyzing every single decision you make in order to “one-up” you time and time again! While most online casinos will have their own AI in place to spot these pesky bots, it’s essential to (discreetly) report your suspicions if you think you’re playing against one.
AI Creates a World of Possibility
There’s no telling what the future holds, but exploring the world of possibilities is always a lot of fun. History has already given us a few examples: in 1997, a chess supercomputer by the name of Deep Blue beat grandmaster Garry Kasparov. Deep Blue was designed and programmed to respond to movements and then make the necessary strategic decisions based on its learning to ensure victory — which it did.
It might be a futile task to try and predict exactly how casino gaming will evolve with artificial intelligence, but thinking about what the casino of the future might look like sure is entertaining. Whatever that future holds, whether it’s robot croupiers or safer and more responsible gambling, one thing is for sure: a more personalized experience is on the way.
Our Tips for Safe Online Gambling
Yes, AI is indeed making great strides when it comes to maxing out player safety within the online gambling industry, but there’s still action that you can take to ensure a safer, more enjoyable gaming experience. Here are our top tips:
- Do your research when choosing the best online casino. Read reviews, speak to friends and relatives and check that the online casino in question is legal and licensed in your region.
- Make sure you’ve created a strong password with a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Change your password regularly, preferably on a monthly basis.
- Read up on the online casino’s privacy policy – how the casino stores and uses your information matters!
- Play it safe when taking part in in-game chats. Avoid revealing any personal details about yourself, as these details could be used to fuel malicious intent.
- Always check and double-check that any correspondence received from an online casino at which you’re registered is legit. Never click on any links or open attachments in an email if you’re uncertain about its origins. Also, remember that online casinos will never ask you for your personal or login information in email or telephonic correspondence.
Discover the Best Online Casino
If you’re looking to play online casino games for real money, whether you’re into the best online jackpot slots, variety games, or live dealer online casino entertainment, you can enjoy a variety of today’s most impressive casino games at BetMGM – where your safety is always paramount. Brush up your skills with free casino games or play online table games with a live dealer.
Register at BetMGM, download our mobile app, and experience world-class mobile casino games wherever you go.
