Camera access via an unprotected USB port: This is how games of chance could be manipulated
In a test, security experts managed to hack the Deckmate 2 card shuffling device, as she told us WIRED [Link to English], an American computer magazine, explained. Employees of an American security company connected a minicomputer to the unprotected USB ports of the machine. Because the password for the card shuffling code was easy to crack, Joseph Tartaro's team was able to manipulate the device in a very short time. This offers numerous possibilities:
"Basically, it allows us to do more or less what we want. For example, we can simply read the constant data from the camera to track the card order, and when that deck comes into play we know exactly what hand each player will have." - Joseph Tartaro, security expert, IOActive, WIRED
The team from the security company IOActive was able to access the built-in camera in the card shuffling machine. The recorded camera image can be sent to other devices via the minicomputer via Bluetooth. In real-world conditions, cheaters could keep track of which player gets which cards. This information could provide a decisive advantage in numerous games if it were passed on to a cheater through inconspicuous signals.
The Deckmate 2 is the most popular and widely used card shuffling machine in US casinos. The security experts explained that even the smallest devices, such as a Raspberry Pi Zero (65 x 30 x 5 mm), would be enough to hack the Deckmate 2. However, the prerequisite for this is that there is access to the USB port. They explained that it might even be possible to change the code so that the cards would be sorted into a predetermined order.
Attempts at fraud are not uncommon in gambling: in November 2023, three men are said to have filmed playing cards in an Austrian casino using a fake cell phone in order to gain an advantage. However, the bluff was called and the men were arrested.
Deckmate 1 is also said to be easy to manipulate
The security experts explained that the previous model, the Deckmate 1, was not optimally protected either. It doesn't have a camera or a USB port, but it can still be manipulated.
Anyone who has access to the device can open the housing and access an integrated chip. This contains a special code for card shuffling that can be changed. For example, it could be possible for casino employees to manipulate the device.
The manufacturer denies the allegations and describes them as unrealistic
The manufacturer of the Deckmate 2 claims that there are no security problems. So far there have been no compromises under real conditions. They carried out their own tests in which no vulnerabilities were found. The allegations are false because the hack was carried out under laboratory conditions and could not be carried out under real conditions.
However, the security experts said that it was not possible to know whether there had already been manipulation in official games. Access to the USB port of the card shuffling machine is also quite possible: It would be enough to pretend to pick something up from the floor and connect a small minicomputer.
It remains to be seen whether US casinos will take action.
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