Part I: Card Game Cheating · ELECTRONIC AIDS AND HIGH-TECH DEVICES

Smartwatch with Concealed Camera

How it works

Smartwatches with built-in cameras (such as certain Samsung Gear models) can be used to secretly photograph or video cards during play. The watch is worn on the wrist in a natural position that can be angled toward cards. The cheater can capture images of their own cards, community cards, or even the dealer’s hole card. The footage can be transmitted to an accomplice or analyzed later. Some models can stream video in real-time. The camera lens is typically small and located on the watch rim or strap.

Where it appears

Poker, Blackjack, all card games

On the record

In 2016, Harrah’s Las Vegas sent an employee newsletter reminding staff that smartwatches with cameras were forbidden at table games. The Nevada Gaming Control Board confirmed that “small cameras have been used to secretly record or view a shuffle or dealer card information to gain an advantage.”

Published as a detection reference for surveillance, compliance and gaming-operations professionals. Thresholds and tuning are set by the property. Nothing here is instruction — the method is described so it can be recognised.