iGaming fraud incidents have risen by more than 60% over the past year, with organised syndicates behind increasingly large attacks. As crypto casinos grow and operators compete for VIP players, higher limits and instant withdrawals can make a single fraud attempt costly. Anna Efimova, CCO at Winfinity, explains how live casino providers can detect fraud early and help operators prevent major losses.
Magda Klimko-Aydin :
Where does live casino security begin?
Anna Efimova :
One of the potential fraud schemes in live casino is collusion between a player and a dealer. Therefore, security begins with how the provider organises and monitors studio operations to minimise any opportunity to influence the round’s outcome.
This control must cover everything happening in the studio: the actions of dealers and shufflers, studio access, gameplay monitoring, and continuous equipment testing. Furthermore, these rules must apply to absolutely everyone. Once, even I was denied entry to the studio because I had not arranged it in advance. This is the right approach, as these are exactly the types of measures that reduce the likelihood of fraud.
However, no matter how professionally trained the dealer is, or how finely tuned the control and incident-prevention procedures are, we can never rule out a mistake or a violation with 100% certainty. That’s why a robust security system must include not only preventive measures but also tools for detecting suspicious activity during gameplay.
Magda Klimko-Aydin :
What should happen if a dealer does violate a procedure or attempts to help a player?
Anna Efimova :
The primary requirement is that processing must be stopped immediately and automatically. The system must recognise anomalous activity in real time, halt the process, and transmit the relevant data for decision-making. Speed is absolutely crucial here; the longer it takes to detect and verify an incident, the higher the risk that the player will successfully withdraw their fraudulent winnings.
At Winfinity, to address this, we were among the first to implement advanced real-time video stream fraud detection systems. These systems monitor the dealer’s actions, the positioning and revealing of cards, and the movement of the wheel in real time. If any deviation is detected, the suspicious round is frozen, and the Risk team receives an instant alert.
Take a simple example: a dealer reveals a card earlier than required. At that exact moment, we do not yet know if it was just human error or a deliberate attempt to give a specific player an advantage. We do know, however, that the round has not gone according to protocol. We cannot simply let this result pass because it represents a risk. Our system detects this anomaly and halts the suspicious round.
Magda Klimko-Aydin :
Does that mean the automated system makes the decision to void a round?
Anna Efimova :
No. The system detects the anomaly and freezes the round, but the actual decision is made by the Risk team. Our specialists analyse the video footage, the bets, the dealer’s actions, the game outcome, and the user’s behaviour. If fraudulent activity is confirmed, the round is voided, and bets are returned to the players. If no violation is found, the result stands.
Magda Klimko-Aydin :
Are video surveillance and dealer action recognition enough to prevent fraud?
Anna Efimova :
A single technology cannot equally and effectively monitor all types of scams across every game type. For instance, a camera can track a dealer’s procedural violation, such as an attempt to stop the roulette wheel or peek at a card. However, it cannot evaluate the quality of the shuffle or other similar factors. Therefore, a security system must be a comprehensive suite of different technologies.
In blackjack, for example, we use our own proprietary, patented shoe. Its design makes it impossible to draw two cards at once, and a built-in scanner reads every card as it is dealt. Because every card is tracked, any deviation from the expected sequence, such as a card being scanned twice or a poor shuffle, is flagged instantly. In parallel, we use video surveillance and various anomaly-recognition technologies throughout the round.
Magda Klimko-Aydin :
When it comes to risk management, where does the provider’s responsibility end and the operator’s begin?
Anna Efimova :
You sometimes hear a certain stance in the market: “This is the operator’s player, so it’s the operator’s risk.” But I firmly believe that effectively combating fraud is only possible through collaboration. The provider sees the studio, the dealer, the equipment, and the gameplay itself. The operator sees the player’s account, their betting patterns, and their financial behaviour. If suspicious activity occurs during a round, it is our duty to be the first to flag it, conduct an investigation, and notify our partner.
This applies to more than just specific rounds. Our Risk team regularly monitors bets, game outcomes, RNG mechanisms, and anomalous user behavior. If we spot a problem, we proactively pass the information to the operator for further action. Only this kind of approach allows us to actually prevent fraud, rather than just dealing with the fallout after the casino has been beaten.
Magda Klimko-Aydin :
Ultimately, what distinguishes a high-quality security system?
Anna Efimova :
The key is that everything must work swiftly and seamlessly: the system detects an anomaly, the Risk team immediately investigates it, and the partner receives all the information right on time. Of course, no one can guarantee a complete absence of fraud attempts. But you can ensure they are stopped before they turn into lost money.
Magda Klimko-Aydin :
By integrating a live casino provider, an operator entrusts them with a portion of the control over their financial risks. Winfinity’s experience proves that the reliability of such a partner is defined not by standalone technologies but by their readiness to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of a game’s outcome. This covers everything from initial fraud prevention to proactive decision-making on suspicious rounds. It is precisely this approach to security that will help operators avoid multimillion-dollar losses.
Live casino security depends on what happens after a suspicious round is flagged. As Anna explains, the provider needs to review the dealer’s actions and gameplay, then share its findings with the operator, which has the player’s account and financial data. That exchange gives both sides a clearer basis for deciding what to do next.
Thank you to Anna Efimova and the Winfinity team for sharing how they handle these decisions.
For more conversations with iGaming leaders, visit our Interviews page.
