FireKeepers Casino Hotel

George Jenkot manages security and surveillance at FireKeepers Casino Hotel, aligning risk management, regulatory compliance and operations with broader goals. In an interview with Enterprise Security Magazine, Jenkot discusses balancing risk reduction, regulatory demands and fostering a proactive security culture.

Connecting the Dots Between Security and Strategy

I've worked in the casino industry for 35 years across multiple jurisdictions in corporate and tribally owned casinos. I’ve held numerous positions, from uniformed security officer to security director to vice president of security and surveillance, gaining specialized education and training.

Every vice president’s role varies by organization, but the most significant shift is taking on strategic leadership. Security, surveillance and other departments must align their plans with the casino’s broader goals, including protection, reputation, risk reduction and regulatory compliance.

A key aspect is championing major technology investments, especially in surveillance, where innovations like AI analytics, facial recognition and weapons detection continually evolve. Another significant responsibility is influencing across departments and collaborating with legal, compliance, gaming operations and human resources to guarantee a unified security strategy.

Operational oversight is a huge responsibility, requiring 24/7 coordination of surveillance rooms, physical security teams and response protocols to be dialed in at all times. Incident response involves the management of fraud, theft and active threats while ensuring proper escalation and reporting procedures.

Regulatory compliance also falls under this, ensuring all practices meet gaming commission requirements, laws and policies. Risk and threat management are crucial, involving regular risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and avoid complacency. Crisis preparedness guarantees emergency response plans for evacuations, lockdowns and natural disasters are in place and regularly assessed.

“In hospitality, security should not make guests overregulated, uncomfortable or restricted. The goal is to be highly effective while keeping many security measures subtle”

Team leadership and development include recruiting, training and retaining high-performing security and surveillance personnel, competing with law enforcement and other industries. These teams set the ethical standards, making it essential to place the right roles in the right places. Coaching and succession planning ensure high-performing employees stay engaged with a clear path forward.

Technical expertise in surveillance and access control is essential. Relying on specialists at the forefront of technology gives vice presidents a competitive edge. This also extends to cybersecurity awareness, maintaining a collaborative relationship with IT specialists to understand how these systems interact within security operations.

Stakeholder and public engagement require executive communication to report security, investigations and risks at the highest levels. This role also serves as the primary liaison with law enforcement at the state, local and federal levels. Balancing strong security with hospitality needs a strategic approach to maintain safety and guest experience.

Seamless Security that Never Misses a Beat

Balancing security with guest experience is a top priority. In hospitality, security should not make guests overregulated, uncomfortable or restricted. The goal is to be highly effective while keeping many security measures subtle. For example, casinos and hotels have large, open entrances, yet security technology must regulate access and detect threats without making it feel like a transportation security checkpoint. The challenge is to remain discreet but ready.

Insider threats are another primary concern, with collusion between employees, staff and patrons creating vulnerabilities, especially in live gaming areas. Surveillance relies on human skill and behavioral intelligence to detect subtle cues and relationship-based schemes. Staying ahead of evolving cheating techniques like advantage play, card marking, digital scams and comp fraud is a full-time job.

Regulatory complexity adds another layer since casinos are among the most regulated industries, with surveillance and incident reporting under strict scrutiny from gaming control boards. Tribal casinos have independent gaming commissions, requiring constant protocol updates and rigorous compliance with audit trails.

Real-time incident management is critical, as security must respond immediately to fights, emergencies and other live situations while reviewing incidents to ensure proper handling. Mistakes can often escalate into legal issues. In a busy casino, multiple incidents unfold simultaneously, all requiring equal diligence under high-pressure conditions.

Technology integration presents additional challenges, as surveillance systems must be strong, scalable and seamlessly connected to analytics and access control alarms while ensuring minimal downtime. Cutting-edge technology often requires balancing innovation with stability.

Staffing remains an issue, as hiring and retaining skilled, motivated team members is challenging. Training them to stay detail-oriented and alert is essential, as human error can have serious consequences. High turnover in hospitality affects security and surveillance, making consistency and expertise harder to maintain. Protecting a high-risk environment from internal and external threats while ensuring compliance and maintaining a seamless guest experience is the most challenging part of this role.

A Team That Knows When to Step In

Identifying the right candidates for security and surveillance requires high situational awareness, the ability to detect subtle cues and anomalies and constant assessment of surroundings. Strong ethics, integrity, responsibility, confidentiality and professionalism are non-negotiable in building trust, mitigating insider threats and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Attention to detail helps prevent financial losses and compliance violations. Whether reviewing camera feeds, monitoring gaming tables or writing reports, professionals must catch small details that indicate more prominent issues. Remaining calm under pressure is equally vital in handling altercations, medical emergencies or investigations to guarantee proper incident response and prevent escalation.

Strong analytical thinking allows security teams to shift from reactive to proactive strategies. By identifying behavior patterns and analyzing data, threats can be anticipated and prevented. Effective communication ensures transparent reporting, as miscommunication and delays can have serious consequences.

Technical proficiency is essential in navigating CCTV systems, access control, incident management tools and AI-driven monitoring technologies. Surveillance teams must stay ahead in data tagging, digital evidence handling and automated threat detection. Dependability is equally crucial, as professionals need to follow protocols, execute tasks independently and make informed decisions.

Security and surveillance require teamwork, collaboration, adaptability, continuous learning and strong leadership to ensure adequate security strategies.

Essential Advice for Excelling in Security Leadership

A strong security foundation begins with mastering physical security, access control, incident management, surveillance and risk assessment, all vital for growth. Fieldwork in operational roles and investigations sharpens instincts and decision-making, forming the groundwork for leadership.

Understanding business operations is equally critical as security professionals protecting revenue and reducing risk while ensuring security measures support business continuity. Every decision must balance security risks with business impact.

Effective communication distinguishes leaders from enforcers. Transparent incident reporting, leadership briefings and risk communication in business terms build trust and influence decisions. Great security leaders align security risks with business objectives. A risk-based mindset separates operational staff from strategic leaders.

Anticipating, quantifying and prioritizing risks are essential. The overlap between physical security and cybersecurity requires addressing digital access control, surveillance and IoT risks. Future leaders must understand cybersecurity and data privacy to adapt to emerging threats. Integrity and reliability shape a professional’s reputation.

Managing sensitive issues and critical tasks provides opportunities beyond certification. Learning from mentors builds professionalism, discretion and composure. Adapting to industry changes guarantees long-term success. Continuous learning and strategic thinking help professionals stay relevant.

Titles come with experience, but career advancement relies on expanding knowledge, gaining exposure, integrating security with business operations and maintaining expertise and credibility.