The impact of machine learning
Online gambling today is a well regulated market operating on a worldwide scale. Safety is not optional anymore: players put money and sensible data on the line when they sign up on a platform and the website is accountable for their protection. In order to prioritise and maximise safety, a lot of operators adopted machine learning systems. This virtual ally helps in making smarter and quicker decisions about risk, identity and/or player care.
Machine learning strengthens the security perimeter by learning patterns, behaviours and limits of criminals. These thugs are humans, so they can learn and adapt to a system that stays always the same, but are way too slow to keep up with an artificial intelligence operating with the sole target of making thefts as difficult as possible. Machine learning looks for unusual combinations, intercepts any suspect habits in mere seconds and assigns proportionate responses to each fraud.
Tools enhanced by machine learning may process vast volumes of deposits, wagers and payouts in mere seconds. It is a timeframe in which anomalies can hide from human scrutiny but not from a faster processor. Machine learning evaluates velocity and sequence of deposits and withdrawals and whenever finds too rapid cash outs or new payment methods combined with a recycled device fingerprint, implements controls and steps up safety conditions, asking for authentication, manual review or, in worst-case-scenarios, applying temporary holds. Identities and transactions are more secure than ever in this era.
What to expect in the near future
The landscape is changing because technology is constantly evolving. We can expect more predictive methods in the near future. Today this is the safest way to identify also the weakest signal of an emerging threat.
Operators are particularly afraid of bonus abuse rings that are forming across the globe in order to reap the benefits typically offered to new players. Bot traffic is increasing because this system allows criminals to log in a lot of times, from different accounts, while deepfakes powered by artificial intelligence try to go around security measures. It is possible that security measures will fail against this kind of threats and the human factor remains obviously crucial. The best safety programs pair analysts and models, letting one half improve the other.
Machine learning used to be only an add-on in the iGaming industry. Nowadays it is probably the backbone of security: it helps against frauds and supports players during every step of their gaming experience. This is a technology that works best when it is quiet. Ideally, honest players barely notice it because entertainment must stay at the center and risk at the edge, but it is not always possible. This is the reason why operators are investing heavily in machine learning. A great example of what is happening is the decision of FanDuel to adopt a high-end technology in order to give players an advanced and customized tool to make informed decisions when they bet or play. It is to be expected that a lot of competitors will do just the same in the next few months.
