Recent analysis by IDScan.net has identified a substantial increase in the use of counterfeit identity documents, raising alarm bells for security and compliance within the gaming industry.
Evaluating over 18 million ID scans from US casinos, the data indicates a 204% surge in ID fraud from 2024 to 2025, far outstripping the 23% increase noted between 2023 and 2024.
Challenges posed by advanced technology
The upsurge in fake IDs is partly attributed to the use of advanced technology, which has made producing sophisticated counterfeit documents more common and accessible.
The upsurge in fake IDs is partly attributed to the use of advanced technology, which has made producing
Jimmy Roussel, CEO of IDScan.net, commented, "Casinos are facing an unprecedented wave of identity fraud. 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."
He continued, "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."
Patterns in fraudulent activity
The report highlights specific behavioural and demographic patterns linked to the rise in ID fraud. The majority of fake ID attempts (55%) occurred during peak casino hours, between 8 PM and 2 AM, typically over the weekend. Saturdays saw the highest activity, accounting for 25% of all fraud attempts, with Sundays and Fridays following at 19% and 18% respectively.
The findings also indicate that most of these fraudulent IDs (60%) were presented by males, aged between 40 and 42, suggesting motives beyond underage gambling. Furthermore, only 20% of fake IDs matched the state of the casino where they were used, pointing to the interstate nature of these criminal activities.
The role of AI in combating fraud
The necessity of automated ID verification powered by AI to comply with regulatory standards and prevent fraud
Jimmy Roussel pointed out, "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."
He emphasised the necessity of automated ID verification powered by AI to comply with regulatory standards and prevent fraud, stating that "Sophisticated documents are far too convincing to be captured by the human eye."
Modernisation imperative for the gaming sector
As casinos heavily depend on strict Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols, the sharp rise in counterfeit IDs poses severe financial and reputational risks.
IDScan.net’s analysis underscores the urgent need for casinos nationwide to update their ID verification technologies to safeguard their operations and maintain regulatory compliance.
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