Before anything else, I’d like to say Happy New Year to all of you. Here’s to hoping that you met the New Year with high hopes and lots of happiness. I, for one, had a very busy one yet for all that, it was very much worth it. Our celebrations involving the whole family – from infants to grandmothers – there wasn’t really much room for any blackjack (or poker for that matter). All we did was eat, talk, eat some more, and then talk some more. Of course, this has nothing to do with blackjack, or gambling in general. I just thought that it would be nice to share some holiday fun with you before we all go back to the mundane world tomorrow.

Anyhow, for today’s post, I was reading the news and I came across an article about the Seven Feathers Casino in the Oregon area. The article talked about this casino and its surveillance and security system. Now, this topic is a little bit touchy at best. What really interested me was the how the writer presented the issue of surveillance and security at casinos, with the Seven Feathers as a specific example.

So what is the first thing that you think of when you hear the words casino surveillance? If you were an honest gambler, then you probably would have no problem with it. Then again, if you were a bit sensitive, you might feel insulted about the idea of someone watching over your shoulders when you are just out there to have some fun. Now for those people who have problems with cheating here and there, casino surveillance is definitely a source of concern.

Casino surveillance is designed to keep the casino’s best interests at heart. Cameras are installed to prevent and detect cheating. Yet at Seven Feathers, they proudly state that their 500 cameras which are incorporated into the design are there not only to protect “the house” but also to ensure the financial and physical safety of their guests. How so?

There have been many incidents wherein guests have been helped when they critically needed medical attention – thanks to the surveillance cameras which are not only on the floor but in the hallways as well. The cameras are also there to protect players against dealer errors. Believe it or not, Seven Feathers Casinos have actually given back money to some of their patrons because of such complaints, which were backed up by surveillance tapes.

I am sure that you would agree with me that this is such an interesting use of casino surveillance. Most of the time, the stereotype is that of bouncers scanning the countless panels of monitors in the security room trying to pick out a potential troublemaker. Yet with this article on Seven Feathers, it actually makes you feel good about those cameras up there. That is, if you have nothing to hide – not that I am saying that you guys out there might have something to hide in that sense. Anyhow, I don’t really know about other casinos if they follow the same philosophy. I sure hope so.