As the iGaming world continues to evolve in rapid and unexpected ways, it’s vital that player security continues to evolve as well, providing new ways to protect users and ensure that their information remains safe.
Operators work hard to verify players’ identities and ages in order to provide a safe platform for their users and there’s an emerging tool that’s providing even more support. Biometric authentication is something being used more frequently across different technologies and can be an easy-to-use and dependable solution for brands looking to improve their verification processes.
For example, in 2020, it was estimated that nearly 80% of phone in NA, Europe and Asia had biometric authentication systems and we can safely assume that number has increased over the last few years.
With our latest piece, we’ll break down biometrics, how they can work in the iGaming world and tips for implementing them.
Biometric Authentication Overview
Biometric authentication is commonly used in everyday life now, used in technology as form of identification and to give access to users.We can see these in our everyday life, with fingerprint mapping, facial recognition, and retina scans. While not the only ones, these are the most used forms of biometric authentication.
While forms of biometric authentication, like fingerprint tracing for example, have been around since the late 19th century, it’s only more recently that it has been used as a way for a user to unlock their appliances or piece of tech.
Biometrics and iGaming
In the iGaming world, the need for quick and efficient ways to verify identities has made biometric authentication an absolute must for iGaming brands. Many brands have begun to use it, as it makes identifying users much easier and can help combat fraud. Additionally, the algorithms involved have improved, as they have gotten better at identifying users from different ethnicities, marking a big step forward in the industry.
In terms of fraud, having biometric authentication can help combat fraudulent activity, providing more tools to brands to ensure the user isn’t a fraudulent one. For example, it can help against users using synthetic IDs (a combo of real and fake IDs used to fool verification methods) or deep fakes, which can heighten a brand’s security measures.
Tips and Tricks
With an exciting new technology like this, it’s vital for brands to make things clear for their users. Providing clear information in a simplified way is important, as if it’s too confusing to use, users may not engage or sign up.
It’s also important to find the balance when including these different security measures. Brands should be sure to not have their security checks be too strong or intrusive, as users will likely look for another option. It’s also important to provide alternatives in case biometrics aren’t working. For example, if a user’s thumbprint isn’t reading or their camera isn’t working for a face authentication, there should be simple workarounds that allow users to identify themselves and easily get back to playing.
Looking Ahead
In a broader sense, brands using more biometric authentication tools can help increase trust from users and get ahead of potential regulatory changes. Conversely, if brands don’t provide strong enough security, then perhaps regulatory boards will get involved. Applying these types of biometric authentication tools seems like a win-win for brands and something that should be a key part of any brand’s security strategy.
