The terms “watchdog” and “alarm” are often used interchangeably when operators talk about anti-cheat devices, but they refer to different product capabilities. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right product for your venue’s needs.
What an Anti-Cheat Alarm Does
An anti-cheat alarm detects a cheating attempt and alerts the operator. The alert can be visible (a flashing light), audible (a siren), or silent (a staff notification). The alarm tells you that cheating is happening or has happened. It does not block the cheating signal — it only notifies you after the fact. The alarm is useful for venues where staff can respond quickly to alerts, but it does not prevent the financial loss from the current attack.
What an Anti-Cheat Watchdog Does
An anti-cheat watchdog detects a cheating attempt, blocks the cheating signal, and then alerts the operator. The blocking happens first — within 50 milliseconds of detection — preventing the attack from succeeding. The alert is secondary, informing the operator that an attack was detected and blocked. The watchdog provides protection even when no staff are available to respond to an alert.
Which One Do You Need?
If you have 24/7 staff presence and staff are trained to respond immediately to alerts, an alarm system provides a basic level of protection. However, even with immediate response, the delay between the alarm and the response is enough for a cheater to trigger multiple payouts. If you want to prevent the loss rather than just knowing about it, you need a watchdog that blocks the attack.
Combining Both Functions
The Gen2 anti-cheat device combines both watchdog and alarm functions. It detects and blocks attacks (watchdog) and alerts the operator (alarm). This combination provides complete protection — the attack is stopped immediately, and the operator is informed so they can take additional action.
If your arcade is showing signs of deciding between a watchdog and an alarm system, send me a message with your machine model and a photo of your setup. I will do a quick remote check for free. Every device comes with a money-back guarantee, official invoice, express shipping, and 1-on-1 technical support.
WhatsApp / WeChat / Phone: +86 158 1582 1587 — Engineer Wang
To discuss the best anti-cheat strategy for your specific arcade setup, message me directly. I offer a free remote diagnostic session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I add blocking capability to an existing alarm system?
A: No. Blocking requires different hardware — frequency filters and signal cancellation circuits that alarm-only devices do not include.
Q: Is an alarm system better than no protection at all?
A: An alarm is better than nothing, but it does not prevent the loss. The difference between an alarm and a watchdog is the difference between knowing you were robbed and preventing the robbery.
Q: How much more does a watchdog cost compared to an alarm?
A: A basic alarm costs $50-80. The Gen2 watchdog costs $149-199. The additional cost provides active blocking that prevents the loss.
Q: Can a watchdog be used without the alarm function (silent mode)?
A: Yes. The Gen2 device can be configured for silent operation where it blocks attacks and logs them without sounding an alert.