By Delaney Gembis
The online gaming and gambling industry has seen massive growth in the past few years,achieving record highs in 2023. However, deepfake technology has also been evolving significantly and poses a threat to the integrity of these platforms, as malicious actors can use deepfakes to commit fraud against platforms and compromise the security of player accounts.
To defend against these threats, biometric authentication technology can be applied in several ways. In this article, we explore how deepfakes are affecting the iGaming industry and how platforms can apply biometrics to help defend against these generative AI threats.
What are Deepfakes?
If you’re unfamiliar, the phrase “deepfake” comes from the combination of the terms “deep learning” and “fake.” While it doesn’t have one universally agreed-upon definition, a deepfake generally means that a person in existing content is replaced with someone else’s likeness. Essentially, a deepfake is content like a photo, audio, or video that has been manipulated by Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make it appear to be something that it is not. Check out this article for even more details on deepfakes and how they work.
How Can Deepfakes Impact iGaming and Gambling?
Deepfakes are fooling people around the globe, but some specific ways that these threats might impact the iGaming and gambling industry include:
1. Identity Fraud: Deepfake technology enables fraudsters to create realistic-looking synthetic identities or impersonate legitimate users to bypass Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks. Fraudulent accounts can be used for bonus abuse, money laundering, and multi-accounting, increasing compliance risks and financial losses.
2. Account Takeovers: Sophisticated deepfake videos can trick facial recognition-based authentication systems, allowing unauthorized access to legitimate accounts. Fraudsters can steal user funds, manipulate in-game transactions, or engage in fraudulent betting activities, leading to financial losses and user distrust.
3. Fake Evidence in Dispute Resolution: Deepfake-generated videos or voice recordings could be submitted as “proof” in disputes over unfair betting outcomes, chargebacks, or game malfunctions. Operators may struggle to verify legitimate claims, leading to financial liability or wrongful refunds.
How Can Operators Defend Against Deepfakes?
At Aware, we use biometric authentication technology to offer a powerful defense against deepfake threats by leveraging:
• Facial Recognition: By analyzing facial features such as the size and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth, facial recognition systems can verify a person’s identity with a high degree of accuracy. When applied to deepfake detection, facial recognition technology can help identify inconsistencies in facial features that indicate a video or image has been manipulated.
• Voice Recognition: By analyzing various aspects of a person’s voice, such as pitch, tone, and cadence, voice recognition systems can verify their identity. In the context of deepfake detection, voice recognition technology can help identify unnatural or inconsistent speech patterns that may indicate a video or audio recording has been manipulated.
• Liveness Detection: This technology is designed to detect whether a biometric sample, such as a facial image or a voice recording, comes from a live person or from a spoofing attack, such as a deepfake. Liveness detection algorithms analyze various factors, such as the presence of natural movements in a facial image or the presence of physiological signals in a voice recording, to determine whether the biometric data is from a live person.
Moving Forward in a World of Deepfakes
As deepfake technology continues to evolve, the risks it poses to the iGaming and gambling industry will only increase. Fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated in their methods, leveraging AI-driven techniques to bypass security measures and exploit platform vulnerabilities. However, by implementing advanced biometric authentication solutions—including facial recognition, voice recognition, and liveness detection—operators can strengthen their defenses against these threats.
Biometrics not only enhances security but also helps maintain compliance with regulatory requirements and fosters trust among players by ensuring a safer and more transparent gaming environment. As the industry continues to grow, investing in robust identity verification and fraud prevention strategies will be essential for mitigating risks, sustaining long-term success, and staying one step ahead of the competition.
