Poker dealers being phased out by machines
The noble position of poker dealer could become the next victim of technology as casinos across the US start rolling out computerised croupiers.
Like many workers before them, the card dealers are being increasingly seen as unnecessary given that a machine can do the same job for a lot less money.
The biggest threat comes from the ‘Fast Deal’ tables recently launched by the gaming technology firm Arkadium Inc, with numerous casinos having already either trialled them or installed them on their premises.
The Hustler Casino in south California is the latest venue to trade in its human dealers for the computer equivalent, with players now sitting down to touch screen computers which can not only deal cards but can also give out chips and take actions such as raising, betting and folding a hand.
To make things worse for employees in the industry, players can then go and deposit or withdraw money at the casino’s fully automated cash kiosks.
While the future of poker dealers looks likely to be automated, players themselves will remain human as even the most sophisticated computer programme has yet to master the art of bluffing.