IDIS has been selected to provide advanced video technology to protect a high-stakes poker tournament in a luxury casino in northern Cyprus.

The Merit Royal Hotel and Casino is the home of the world’s largest roulette table (over 21 feet in diameter), 950 slot and gambling machines, 63 live gaming tables and a number of luxurious VIP lounges.

To enhance security in preparation for the World Poker Tour’s Texas Hold’em poker tournament, as well as to ensure the safety of VIP guests, The Merit needed a video surveillance upgrade within weeks as well as comprehensive coverage, not just to secure premises and protect against fraud and theft, but also to fulfil legal requirements set by local regulators.

Volga Elektronik was awarded the installation contract and deployed a robust, end-to-end IDIS solution. To improve video coverage of gaming tables and the casino floor, Volga’s engineers installed IDIS 5MP dome cameras with motorized lenses, true WDR and IR up to 32 yards, delivering high-resolution images in varied lighting conditions.

Seamless DirectIP plug-and-play connection of the cameras, 24 PoE switches with 64-channel network video recorders (NVRs), which come pre-installed with IDIS Solution Suite (ISS) VMS, meant cyber secure yet rapid installation for Volga’s engineers.

IDIS Solution Suite Expert provides control room staff with a VMS designed for mission-critical surveillance operations including administration, video wall monitoring, streaming and recording services. The rich feature set allows operators to detect, verify, analyze and rapidly respond to security and safety events and meet the requirements of regulatory gaming integrity.

The solution from IDIS encourages honest and fair game play and provides operators with complete visual awareness of the gaming tables, casino floor, lounges and other key areas.

Seamless plug-and-play connectivity ensured a rapid installation, completed in time for the high roller tournament. With a transparent, one-off license payment for IDIS Solution Suite (ISS) and no ongoing software or device connection fees, coupled with reduced storage costs and easy maintenance, the casino is benefiting from the IDIS promise of a low total cost of ownership (TCO).

"IDIS video technology is providing high performance yet intuitive surveillance operations with exceptional image capture,” said Malik Oğuz, director of security systems at Merit Royal Hotel and Casino. “Our security team can quickly and efficiently respond to incidents and resolve disputes to reduce table stoppages. The result is an enhanced patron experience that builds on our reputation as one of Europe's top gaming destinations. The resort can now benefit from a truly scalable and future-proof solution, with the assurance of a low total cost of ownership."

Muhammet Ali İpek of Volga Elektronik said, “Merit Royal is delighted with the end-to-end IDIS video surveillance solution that meets the complex security demands of world-class casino gaming to create a safe and welcoming environment for VIP guests. We are looking forward to expanding the system across the resort and other Merit International hotels.”

The Merit Royal already has plans to extend the system to cover hotel facilities and spacious outdoor areas, featuring two swimming pools, gardens, and a private beach.