How does AI help Ensure Fairness in Online Gambling?

The casino industry might not bring to mind images of the latest in technology – the focus is usually on live dealers or slot machines in land-based casinos such as those in Las Vegas. However, the online gambling market is one that often adopts new technology and implements it in ways that make iGaming more engaging. One example of the industry embracing cutting-edge technology is its use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the player experience and ensure fairness in gambling.

What is AI?

Thanks to Hollywood movies, AI is often associated with intelligent robots that help humans with their everyday business. Although this image isn't necessarily incorrect, it is not entirely accurate either. AI in most industries revolves around computer-based simulations that mimic human behavior and choices. AI is generally implemented as part of a desktop, laptop, or mobile device computer program or system.

The technology might not be as grandiose as fully functional androids copying human behavior – at least for now – but it is a rapidly growing market predicted to be worth $190bn by 2025. Machine learning and data collection are particularly popular, with the Canadian government vowing to fund AI development with C$443.8m over the next 10 years.

If you want to know how this investment might impact daily life, you need to look no further than how the gambling industry is implementing it. Online operators have worked AI into the everyday player experience, offering efficient uses for the emerging technology.

Fraud prevention

AI is most commonly used in fraud detection. Unlike more traditional techniques that rely on humans to analyze data and players to discover cheating, AI fraud detection is built into the platform itself. The technology automatically analyzes player behavior to locate and act upon suspicious activities. There are a few different ways that AI is used in fraud detection:

• Multiple account detection

AI can track account locations and analyze the IP addresses of new and existing accounts. The former identifies players who might be working together to rig the game in their favor – this is known as cooperative play. Detecting multiple accounts from the same IP address is a more straightforward process. AI can consult a database of single-location IP addresses and view the activities – such as logins or account creation – that are tied to it.

Once this kind of fraud has been detected, AI can also be used to apply a consequence. This might be banning all accounts related to a single IP, for example, or restricting accounts that attempt to use multiple devices in a single table or tournament.

• Cash flow 

AI can prevent transfer abuse by running an abuse detection and prevention program that imposes transfer limits, confirms transfers, restricts new player transfers, and recognizes 'chip dumping'. The technology can also monitor withdrawals to impose withdrawal limits, restricting them to players who have completed a verification process, limiting cashouts to help avoid money laundering, and automatically restricting money withdrawals on suspicious accounts.

• Account security

Compromised player accounts are a real threat in online gambling. AI can implement security solutions such as two-factor authentication, and can provide automated security support that gives players the option to restrict their account if they suspect fraud and reinstate the account once the problem has been resolved.

Regulation compliance

Online operators have rules and regulations to follow. Some of these are aimed at ensuring that their games are fair and offer players a fair chance of winning. AI can help keep an internet casino on track by automatically making decisions that align with the law. This also applies to player behavior and makes sure that players adhere to the casino's rules. This can help cut down on unfair play techniques that might give some players an advantage over others.

Personalization and accessibility

Other areas where AI thrives are personalization and accessibility. Not all online casinos have easy-to-follow layouts. Sometimes, the colors might make reading difficult, for example, or perhaps the text itself is too small. Sometimes, the site might simply be overwhelmed with images, making it challenging to find text-based information. AI can help predict player needs and adjust their experience accordingly. It can also help make a website more accessible to players who might not be able to read the content as easily as others.

Ensuring that everyone has access to a website that makes content easy to understand is an important step in leveling the playing ground between users.

Competitive gaming

Who wants to play a game against a predictable opponent? When players make the choice to play against the computer, AI can be used to make the program more responsive and realistic, which creates a much better experience for the player. A game in which the computer makes the same kind of moves can become stale very quickly.

Responsible gaming

While it is not necessarily an element of fair gaming, it should be noted that AI also makes it easier to help players gamble responsibly. The technology can track how much time users have spent gambling and prompt them to take a break. It can also allow them to set limits on their spending. Finally, it can offer players an easy link to customer support if they feel that they need a forced break.

AI is an endlessly entertaining technology that can transform much of the way that the world works and is an excellent addition to many different fields, from personalized learning tools to accessibility and health tracking. Online casinos with a sound AI system are well worth your time and investment!