Casino Establishments in Nevada Prohibited from Employing Advanced AI Firearm Recognition Technology
ZeroEyes Digital Gun-Finding System: A New Safety Measure in Casinos
In a bid to enhance safety measures, the River Spirit Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has become the first casino property in the US to install the ZeroEyes digital gun-finding system. This cutting-edge technology, developed by the AI-specialised company ZeroEyes, is designed to detect patrons carrying firearms into casinos.
The ZeroEyes system, which is also in use by the Minnesota Gaming and Entertainment (MNGE), appeals to casino officials due to its non-intrusive nature. It eliminates the need for metal detection arches at entry points, providing a smoother and more welcoming experience for visitors.
However, not all states are welcoming to this new technology. Nevada gaming laws prevent casinos in the state from implementing the remote monitoring system offered by ZeroEyes, as it contravenes local regulations.
Despite this, the River Spirit Casino, owned by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, found the system "kind of fit" its bill around the time of the Mandalay Bay shooting. The tragic event in Nevada prompted the casino to proactively search for a system like ZeroEyes to prevent a similar disaster in Oklahoma.
The shooting at Tulsa's Saint Francis Hospital in June 2022 further motivated the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprise (MNGE) to implement the ZeroEyes system. The close proximity of the hospital to the casino made the tragedy a personal one for the casino's Director of Compliance, Travis Thompson.
The ZeroEyes machine learning detection software is linked to a mass database of firearms and uses camera feeds as a secondary stream to send information to an AI server. While the system is not guaranteed to detect 100% of weapons, it allows casinos and other organisations to react faster to gun threats.
Retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer Joel Kisner has mentioned potential logistical problems with ZeroEyes, where precious seconds are spent matching the found weapon to a database when immediate action is required. However, Rick Vonfeldt, President of the Las Vegas Security Chiefs Association and Caesars Palace Vice President of Security, has admitted to being impressed with ZeroEyes after a demonstration.
ZeroEyes is already in use in Nevada by the Regional Transportation Commission at its transit centres, and in schools, businesses, and government settings in 40 US states. As the world continues to grapple with the issue of gun safety, systems like ZeroEyes may play a significant role in protecting communities and providing peace of mind.
