
A5 Labs calls on online poker industry to “step out of the dark”
California-based industry group outlines belief that advanced AI and machine learning solutions can help reduce cheating and boost integrity of the game

A5 Labs published a new whitepaper on July 6 in which the group of online gaming experts weighed in on the challenges affecting the online poker industry.
In the whitepaper, the California-based industry group detailed the problems facing online poker, none more serious than the recent cheating scandals and integrity accusations that have enveloped some high-profile players.
Among other concerns resonating throughout the online poker space is the increasing prevalence of bots and sophisticated software tools aimed at optimizing in-play decision-making, which can serve to further tip the scales in favor of more resourced players.
To combat those issues, A5 Labs is pushing for technology-driven solutions such as advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning to help protect the industry and create a safer playing environment for all types of poker players.
Toward that end, the group has developed proprietary and patented solutions aimed at assisting the growth of operators while serving to maintain the credibility of online poker.
“We believe online poker will only survive if operators come clean and step out of the dark,” said A5 Labs co-CEO Thanh Tran.
“That’s why we have created the most advanced solutions to help operators achieve this. We’re passionate poker players ourselves and we want to see the game flourish, which is why we’ve issued this whitepaper,” she added.
A5 Labs honed in on six areas of focus in the whitepaper, including bolstering security and fairness in online poker; creating a safe and fun playing environment; leveraging new and advanced technologies to foster long-term sustainability; the implementation of robust player profiling; the formulation of a technical roadmap to turn data into actionable insights; and a renewed focus on operator integrity.
“The proposition of a more unified and transparent security process across all operators is novel and exciting,” said professional poker player Nick Petrangelo. “As a player, I love this idea.”
The release of the whitepaper coincides with the showpiece of global poker, the World Series of Poker Main Event, which officially kicked off July 3 in Las Vegas.