The European Casino Association (ECA) is going to conduct its 2024 Security and Safety Working Group meeting in conjunction with the Global Table Games & Game Protection Conference (GTGC/GGPC) at the Hippodrome Casino in London from November 18-20, 2024.

This collaboration marks a significant expansion of the ECA’s annual Security and Safety Working Group meeting, now encompassing a broader range of crucial industry topics.

The Global Table Games & Game Protection Conference (GTGC/GGPC) will address a wide array of subjects vital to the European casino industry, including:

• Security and Safety
• Safer Gambling Practices
• Customer Experience Enhancement
• Game Protection Strategies
• Technological Advancements in Casino Operations

Guido Berghmans, ECA Board Member, Working Group Leader, and Director of Casino 2000 Luxembourg, stated: “We are pleased to integrate our ECA Security and Safety Workshop with this conference. The GTGC/GGPC Euro provides our members with a valuable opportunity to engage with security experts and gain insights into the latest developments in game protection and secure casino operations.”

The GTGC/GGPC, organised by game protection expert Richard Marcus, is making its European debut following three successful years in Las Vegas. The event will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:

• Simon Thomas, ECA Board Member and Executive Chairman of the Hippodrome Casino
• Ted Whiting, Corporate VP of Surveillance and Asset Protection for MGM Resorts International
• Mike Matranga, former Secret Service agent and founder of M6 Global Defense Group
• Richard Noble, COO at Crown UK
• Michael Boettcher, industry veteran and President of Storm International
• Last but not least, conference organiser Richard Marcus.

Marcus is considered to have been the most significant professional casino cheat of all time. He turned the tables to become a casino game protection consultant and trainer with clients worldwide. Marcus began his career as a blackjack dealer in Las Vegas and later became infamous for his ingenious cheating methods. He has dedicated his expertise to helping casinos worldwide improve their security measures and game protection strategies. Richard Marcus speaks French and German, enhancing his ability to communicate with a diverse European audience.
The conference will address current security risks in casinos and the methods to detect and prevent fraud and manipulation at gaming tables and slot machines. Key topics include AI in surveillance, facial recognition technology, and cybersecurity. Additionally, the conference will cover other relevant subjects, making it appealing not only to security managers but also to all executives in European casino companies. This event offers an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and network with industry peers.

Guido Berghmans added: “This collaboration between the ECA and GTGC/GGPC underscores our commitment to advancing security and safety standards in the European casino industry. We encourage all our members to attend and recommend that European land-based casino operations consider sending their key employees to participate in this conference. It presents a unique learning and networking opportunity that merits serious consideration.”

As part of this collaborative effort, on November 20, the managers of ECA member casinos responsible for security and safety will convene with experts and relevant consultants at their annual Security and Safety Working Group meeting to exchange experiences from the past year and discuss improved casino security practices.