With the importance of big data growing in casino gaming, more care has to be taken to protect player privacy
The casino gaming industry has always been concerned with security. However, as operations move online with more players gaming remotely, safeguarding player privacy has become paramount.
Many casinos are investing in hybrid IT infrastructures that combine the best of both solutions, leveraging the proven reliability of in-house systems and the innovations allowed by moving to public and private clouds.
However, the migration to the cloud must be handled by a technology partner with deep experience helping casinos open on time and on budget with digital operations that always put the odds in the house’s favor. Without such aid, casinos risk falling prey to security issues, which shows that carelessness has led almost 40% of organizations that have taken to the cloud to leak information to the public carelessly.
So here are some expert-backed hybrid IT cybersecurity strategies for gaming companies that bridge legacy systems with new solutions, creating a resilient infrastructure that is compliant, efficient, and right on the money.
Big Data’s Growing Role in the Gaming Sector
Gambling has always been about the odds and probability. So, it is no surprise that the industry has been quick to mine the insights and benefits of big data and the new tools designed to sift through it.
Data can be used for everything from predicting players’ behavior to designing games that attract player attention and thwart cheating and other illegal activities. Big data can also be used to:
- Personalize marketing to increase player engagement
- Reduce game downtimes in online casinos
- Cater to the preferences of high-stakes players
- Identify problem gambling behavior
- Increase the time spent on casino apps
- Set dynamic win-loss limits
- Reduce churn rates
- Enable player-imposed limits to control problem gambling
- And much more
Technologies Powering Data-Driven Gaming
The gambling industry is at the cutting edge of mining the potential of big data, including finding new ways of safeguarding player data.
For example, machine learning (ML) algorithms can be used for fraud detection, potentially cutting down on this money drain by up to 50%. Then artificial intelligence (AI) is also playing an increasingly strong role, helping to provide personalized experiences that increase player satisfaction while boosting profitability.
An AI-driven system can, for example, track a player’s past preferences to suggest new games to them. It can also analyze their gambling behavior in real time and combine this information with information about past behavior, as well as variables such as location, weather, and time of day, to feed the player an experience tailored precisely to their requirements and situation.
Cloud-based technologies provide many benefits to casinos, including:
- The flexibility as to how and where data is accessed
- Automatic updates and patches to keep systems secure
- Cost-savings through operational efficiencies and lower investments in new hardware and software
Building a Hybrid IT Model for Data-Intensive Operations
A hybrid IT model combines a casino’s legacy infrastructure with a resilient cloud solution that ensures seamless gameplay supported by a high-performing infrastructure. The solutions can provide great scalability, with the ability to adapt to fluctuating demands.
A hybrid IT environment can allow a casino to use the security and reliability of an on-premises infrastructure (perhaps also addressing compliance regulations for data storage) with a cloud solution’s flexibility and powerful tools.
In building a hybrid system, cybersecurity strategies for gaming companies must be a paramount concern. The cloud setup must be expertly handled to minimize cyber threats such as:
- Phishing attacks
- Social engineering
- DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks
- Video-game cheating (bots and malicious code)
Among the ways to counter these are robust security practices, multifactor authentication (MFA), being transparent with players about security issues, and partnering with a digital transformation company that designs and implements the highest-measure security solutions in every experience, app, and platform they build.
Leveraging Data Insights for Enhanced Player Retention
Player retention is a big concern for online casinos. But now, they can leverage the big data available to them to cultivate loyalty and engagement, using insights to develop effective new strategies.
The data collected can, for example, identify players at risk of leaving so the casinos can take proactive measures such as special promotions, tailored content, gameplay adjustments, and tailored incentives.
Gaming companies can create loyalty programs designed according to a customer’s preferences and behavior. A fan of slot games, for example, could receive some free spins to help cultivate a sense of being valued for their patronage.
Players can also be helped by creating a level playing field among the casino’s games. Casinos can spot anomalies or irregular patterns to identify and stop cheating and other unfair practices. The data can also be analyzed at lightning speed to flag suspicious financial transactions and help keep the gambling environment secure.
Core BTS’s Support for Gaming Data Infrastructure
Working with the right technology partner shouldn’t be a gamble. Core BTS has helped the world’s leading gaming and casino brands leverage the power of hybrid IT systems to create magical and profitable experiences.
Our deep roots in the gaming and hospitality industry have enabled us to help many of the top casino operators in the United States navigate the fine line between providing a secure experience and keeping the appeal of the games undimmed.
Partner with Core BTS to develop scalable, secure hybrid IT infrastructure tailored to your data-driven gaming needs. We can help elevate your guest experiences as you optimize your operations and enjoy end-to-end security. Gambling is what you do, not how you operate.
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