In the realm of casino security, effective key management is crucial for safeguarding substantial cash reserves and chips.
Essential physical keys provide access to highly sensitive areas like counting rooms and drop boxes, necessitating rigorous management to mitigate loss and fraud risks. Advanced key control and management systems are employed by casinos to ensure these measures are upheld.
Electronic key control systems
Genesis Resource, Inc., a supplier of Morse Watchmans KeyWatcher® electronic key control systems, is deeply familiar with the integral role these systems play in casino security. They understand where systems are essential, who operates them, and which regulatory standards must be adhered to. Their clientele includes many casinos across Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico.
Genesis Resource Technical Manager Ken Olson articulated, “While all markets – including corrections, hospitals, universities, and others – will have unique requirements regarding key control and management, the gaming industry is perhaps the most regulated and has the most number of in-house areas requiring key control.”
Sensitive drop box keys
Genesis initially entered the gaming sector by focusing on slot departments
Genesis initially entered the gaming sector by focusing on slot departments, leading to an emphasis on securing drop box keys, counting room keys, and drop box cabinet keys. The Morse Watchmans KeyWatcher system controls key access through a cabinet that requires user verification, ensuring only authorised personnel access required keys. This configuration supports the three-person access rule, typically involving a drop team member, a cage cashier, and a security officer.
The KeyWatcher system's programmability enables it to recognise specific keys, releasing them only when verification is complete. For added user convenience, the system prompts for necessary logins just once, regardless of the number of key sets requested, and maintains an undisputable key control log, surpassing manual log systems.
Unscheduled drop sets
The return of sensitive keys is governed by strict regulations, as highlighted by Mr. Olson. “The KeyWatcher system is configurable to meet these gaming regulations. For example, "Full Secure" requires the same users who removed a key to return the key, while "Department Secure" would need only the first user's credentials to match while other users can be identified by department.”
Access to table game drop box release keys is restricted to authorised personnel, with different individuals managing unscheduled drop sets. KeyWatcher can be customised to support these protocols, ensuring individuals do not simultaneously handle conflicting key responsibilities.
Key security and emergency situations
In emergencies requiring key access beyond typical schedules – such as machine malfunctions or maintenance needs – KeyWatcher systems can accommodate, prompting users to select predefined notes and enter comments for clarity on the machine or table involved.
For routine access, authorised users benefit from the instant key release feature, streamlining both taking and returning keys. This efficiency reduces training complexities and potential language barriers associated with system navigation.
Computerised key security system
SMS text alerts and emails notify management and users when specific key sets are moved
The KeyWatcher system's key cycling feature is advantageous in organising staff like housekeepers into groups, distributing key usage evenly among available sets. Stringent gaming regulations necessitate frequent audits to ensure compliance, especially for employees managing table game drop box keys. Reporting systems integrated into Morse Watchmans setups facilitate these audits whilst assisting in process optimisation and employee integrity assurance.
SMS text alerts and emails notify management and users when specific key sets are moved, augmenting security protocols.
Common user database and access control
Network system advancements have increased demand for key control systems with enterprise-wide applications featuring a common user database. This framework allows consistent recognition of employee IDs across all organisational systems, efficiently tracking transactions, even post-employment. It also permits integration with third-party card access systems for streamlined updates on employee status within key control systems.
Olson notes, “Synchronising the same information across multiple KeyWatchers happens automatically behind the scenes with the KeyWatcher software.”
Local key cabinet convenience
With 24/7 operations characteristic of casinos, reliable around-the-clock support is indispensable
Large-scale enterprises, such as casinos, benefit from distributing key control cabinets throughout their networks, minimising congestion during high-traffic periods.
For instance, over 500 housekeeping staff may require key access at the start of a shift, a process streamlined by strategically placing key cabinets near key use locations. To support efficient key management, cabinets can also be stationed at entry/exit points for employee use during breaks.
Enhancing service offerings
With 24/7 operations characteristic of casinos, reliable around-the-clock support is indispensable. Morse Watchmans includes telephone support, with Genesis offering supplementary services like extended warranties and training.
They also provide software updates at no additional cost, underscoring the commitment to consistent quality in both product and service, as echoed by Olson's remarks on collaborative excellence between Morse and Genesis.
Casinos are cash-based industries that rely on physical controls and strict documentation procedures in order to safeguard large amounts of cash and chips. One of the most critical areas of casino security where these controls come into play is key management.
Physical keys are used for access to virtually all of the most sensitive and highly secured areas of the casino, including counting rooms and drop boxes. By maintaining tight control of keys with sophisticated key control and management systems, the casino can minimise incidents of loss and fraud for these and other sensitive areas.
Electronic key control systems
Genesis Resource, Inc., a provider of Morse Watchmans KeyWatcher® electronic key control systems to the casino industry, has firsthand experience in understanding how important key control systems are to a casino’s security operation. They know where and why key control systems need to be placed; they know how they are used and who uses them; and they stay aware of the various regulatory and licensing commission regulations that must be met. Their clients include most of the casinos in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.
“While all markets – including corrections, hospitals, universities, and others – will have unique requirements regarding key control and management, the gaming industry is perhaps the most regulated and has the most number of in-house areas requiring key control,” states Genesis Resource Technical Manager Ken Olson. “Morse Watchmans addresses these requirements with the most robust and complete key control feature set available. In fact, Morse not only sets the bar for features, they are also, in my opinion, the gold standard for usability, support and system reliability.”
Sensitive drop box keys
Genesis established their business in the gaming market with the casino’s slot departments, which led to controlling access to sensitive drop box keys, counting room keys, and drop box cabinet keys. With a Morse Watchmans solution in place, these keys and key sets are secured in a KeyWatcher key control cabinet that will not open until the system verifies that the user has permission for the specific key(s) requested.
All other key sets remain locked in place. Since key sets for counting rooms and drop boxes are highly sensitive, gaming regulations generally require the three man rule to access key sets – one person each from three different departments is required to log in. Typically the three individuals would include a drop team member, a cage cashier and security officer. Often the KeyWatcher is either located in the cage mantrap or chip bank area, with a secondary combination remote keypad and display console located inside the cage to allow cashiers to log in without leaving their workstation.
Manual log systems
The Morse Watchmans system is programmable to recognise specific keys or key sets and only open the cabinet door and release them once the three required logins are complete and the credentials verified.
As a user convenience, KeyWatcher will prompt for the additional logins only once, regardless of how many sets were initially requested. A non-disputable key control log is maintained to substantiate control over the keys. One of many reasons KeyWatchers are so widely accepted is because they exceed the level of security offered by manual log systems.
Unscheduled drop sets
According to Mr. Olson, returning highly sensitive keys is also tightly regulated with multiple levels of security required. He says, “The KeyWatcher system is configurable to meet these gaming regulations. For example, “Full Secure” requires the same users who removed a key to return the key, while “Department Secure” would only require the first user’s credentials to match exactly while the two other users would have to match by department.”
Access to table game drop box release keys is limited to the specific employees who are authorised to remove the table game drop boxes from the tables. A different set of employees would have access to the unscheduled drop sets, and the KeyWatcher system can be configured to reinforce this safety procedure. Individuals are precluded from having access to table game drop box content keys at the same time they have the table game drop box release keys out.
Overcoming any language barriers
In emergency situations such as machine jam, customer dispute, machine relocation or maintenance, where key sets must be accessed outside of regularly scheduled times, the KeyWatcher cabinet can be pre-programmed with “notes”. Before a key is released, the system will prompt the user to select a predefined note plus enter a freehand comment indicating the affected machine and table numbers.
Outside of special key access or emergency situations, it is useful for certain keys or key sets to be immediately available to their authorised users. With the KeyWatcher instant key release feature, the user only needs to input their credentials, and the system knows whether they already have their specific keys or not. If not, the system unlocks and their keys are immediately available to them. Returning keys is just as fast and easy with KeyWatcher. This saves time, reduces training and helps to overcome any language barriers.
Computerised key security system
Another convenient feature of the KeyWatcher utilised frequently by casinos/resorts is key cycling. Casino/resort staff including housekeepers and slot floor attendants can be organised into “groups” by the system administrator. For these individuals or groups, the hotel and casino has multiples of the same respective key sets available. The KeyWatcher can be programmed to release the next available set to each authorised user from a group, which cycles through the sets so that each gets equal usage.
Gaming regulations require a number of different types of audits on a regular basis to assure the casino is in full compliance with regulations. For example, for employees signing the table game drop box keys in or out, Nevada Gaming requirements call for maintenance of separate reports indicating the date, time, table game number, reason for access, and signature or electronic signature. An “electronic signature” includes a unique employee PIN or card, or employee biometric identification validated and recorded through a computerised key security system.
Robust reporting system
Morse Watchmans key management systems feature software that enables the user to set up all these and many other types of custom reports, which can run and be delivered automatically to management on a regular basis. The robust reporting system will also greatly assist the casino in tracking and improving processes, assure employee honesty and minimise security risks. Auditors can be given access only to print reports, without access to key sets.
Additionally, robust SMS text messaging and emailing allows for the key set user or select management to automatically receive alerts when specified key sets are removed and/or returned, along with select alarm notifications.
Common user database
With the advent of network systems and technology, Genesis reports a greater demand from casinos for key control systems that operate as an enterprise client-server application with a common user database. Since each system includes an unlimited site license, there are no site licensing fees to be concerned with.
A common user database helps to ensure an employee’s HR-issued ID is recognised across all systems in an organisation, which allows for auditing transactions and history even after an employee’s departure. This also makes it possible for the slots, cage and security departments each to have their own system, with users part of the same common user database but different access for each system.
Access control system
Using employee IDs also opens the door for optional 3rd party integration with existing card access control systems. For instance, when new employees are added, or terminated employees are removed from the access control system, they are automatically added or terminated in the KeyWatcher system. This integration can also pay dividends in terms of security policies and/or procedures as well as compliance with government agencies.
Mr. Olson says, “Synchronising the same information across multiple KeyWatchers happens automatically behind the scenes with the KeyWatcher software. It tremendously simplifies keeping all KeyWatchers updated with current user key access and enrollment information. Profiles (which include user access level, key set permissions, time durations, department and more) can be created and assigned to each user and any changes to the profile are cascaded down to the users assigned to it.”
Local key cabinet
Enterprise systems are highly scalable and key control cabinets can be distributed across the casino’s network to help relieve usage congestion. For example, at the start of a morning shift upwards of 500 housekeeping staff will need to access keys or key sets.
By locating KeyWatcher cabinets adjacent to the areas where the keys will be used, bottlenecks in accessing/returning the keys can be avoided. In another example, KeyWatcher cabinets can be installed at an employee entrance/exit door. When an employee leaves the building temporarily for a scheduled break, keys can be returned to the local key cabinet and then accessed again when the employee returns from the break.
Enhancing service offerings
Casinos and other gaming establishments are 24/7 operations and as such need 24/7 support. However, quality of support varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and from dealer to dealer.
Telephone support from Morse Watchmans is included with the system and Genesis supplements that support with extended warranties, after hours phone support, training and a variety of service/ maintenance contracts. To further enhance their service offerings, Morse has offered free firmware and software updates for over a decade. “Too often, customers find the product works and the service doesn’t or the service works and the product doesn’t,” said Mr. Olson. “Together with Morse, we offer the casino the best of both.”
