|
Technology
|
Technical
requirements
|
Security issues
|
Relative cost
|
Advantages and
Disadvantages
|
|
Magnetic strip card
|
Requires card reader be installed on EGM
|
Higher risk – cards easily swapped or
copied; verification of ID such as driver's license also required
|
Very low cost up to $2; additional cost of
card reader $5–$30 (plus installation costs)
|
Advantages
Easily replaced and cheap; familiar to
users; many EGMs already have card readers installed;
Disadvantages
Easily damaged, prone to wear and
corruption; non-programmable; may require additional ID or central database
|
|
Smart card with embedded chip
|
Requires card reader be installed on EGM;
cashless gaming (money/credits stored on card)
|
Low risk. Used in conjunction with PIN or
other ID eg photo on card; could be tampered with but tampering would be
obvious.
|
Low cost around up to $5; additional cost
of card reader $5–$30 (plus installation)
|
Advantages
Can collect and store data, can be
programmed for additional functionality eg self exclusion, personal
messaging; cards already widely used and familiar to users, no need for
central database as data stored on card; many EGMs already have card readers
installed
Disadvantages
Sign up process may take longer; only
possible where cashless gaming is permitted
|
|
RFID (radio frequency identification) tags
|
Requires installation of tag reader on EGM
|
Anonymous play – no player registration
required
|
Low cost – most tags cost less than $1 due
to wide application in tracking consumer products
|
Advantages
Anonymous play may appeal to users; easy
swipe action
Disadvantages
Limited functionality; radio signal between
tag and reader may be disrupted
|
|
USB or memory stick/flash drive
|
USB ports the same across machines, does
not require a wedge
|
Can be tampered with in ways not obvious
Requires additional security features eg
PIN or other ID such as biometrics
|
Medium cost $10–$20
|
Advantages
Most EGMs have existing ports; device is
programmable as with smart card; no need for central database; can link to
internet and be used for other data storage requirements (eg music, video
etc)
Disadvantages
Unclear if ports on EGMs are easily
accessible to players; not all users would be familiar with USBs
|
|
Biometrics – fingerprints, voice recognition,
retina scanning (note the committee only received evidence on fingerprints)
|
Requires USB with scanning capability or
USB plus a separate scanner/reader
|
Generally low risk but higher risk of
identity theft if device is stolen
|
Higher cost – varies between $30–$100
depending on USB capability or separate scanner
|
Advantages
As under USB plus biometric ID unique to
player;
Disadvantages
More intrusive and less familiar to players;
fingerprint scanning limitations (eg those without fingerprints; those
impeded by disability)
|