New data from IDScan.net has revealed a significant rise in the use of false identity documents, signalling a growing threat to security and compliance in the gaming sector.
Derived from an analysis of over 18 million ID scans conducted across casinos in the US, the findings show that the prevalence of ID fraud increased 204% from 2024 to 2025. The spike marks an accelerated trend in fraudulent activity, outpacing the 23% increase recorded between 2023 and 2024.
Combination of advanced technology
“Casinos are facing an unprecedented wave of identity fraud,” said Jimmy Roussel, CEO of IDScan.net. “The combination of advanced technology being used to create more sophisticated documents, added to the fact that high-quality fake IDs have become far more accessible, has created a perfect storm."
"What used to be a tolerated and manageable issue within the casino industry has become a systemic risk that threatens to shut entire businesses down. The sheer gravity of potential repercussions means that smarter technology and stronger verification protocols are critical to business operations.”
Distinct behavioural and demographic patterns
The data also reveals distinct behavioural and demographic patterns behind the increase in fraudulent activity. More than half (55%) of all attempts to use fake IDs occurred between 8 PM and 2 AM, aligning closely with casinos’ busiest operating hours and peak traffic.
Instances of fraud were most prevalent over the weekend, with Saturday alone accounting for a quarter (25%) of all attempts, followed by Sunday (19%) and Friday (18%).
The majority (60%) of fraudulent IDs were presented by individuals identifying as male, with an average stated age between 40 and 42, suggesting that these incidents are not driven primarily by underage patrons but by adults attempting to conceal or falsify identity information. Notably, only one in five (20%) of fake IDs originated from the same state as the casino, indicating the interstate nature of this type of criminal activity.
Automated ID verification powered by AI
Roussel added, “Surveillance and security have long been at the top of the agenda for casino management, but the scale and sophistication of today’s fake IDs mean that manual checks and legacy systems aren’t enough to prevent the problem."
"Sophisticated documents are far too convincing to be captured by the human eye, so automated ID verification powered by AI and document forensics is now table stakes for regulatory compliance and fraud prevention.”
Rapid modernisation of ID verification systems
With the gaming industry’s reliance on strict Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards, the exponential rise in fake IDs represents both a financial and reputational threat.
IDScan.net’s findings highlight the need for rapid modernisation of ID verification systems across casino operations nationwide.