Gaming Standards: A Paradigm Shift In Slot Floor Operations June 10, 2004 Rocky Mountain Gaming...

Gaming Standards:Gaming Standards:

A Paradigm Shift In Slot A Paradigm Shift In Slot Floor Operations Floor Operations

June 10, 2004June 10, 2004

Rocky Mountain Gaming Summit – Denver, CO

Rocky Mounting Gaming Summit - June 10, 2004

OverviewOverview

Gaming Industry Today

Gaming Standards Association Overview Technology Initiatives Accomplishments Interoperability and Compliance Regulatory Advisory Committee

Gaming Industry Tomorrow

Q & A

Gaming Industry TodayGaming Industry Today


Gaming Industry Today - FactsGaming Industry Today - Facts

Slots alone generated close to $30B last year

Every day $1B is wagered by Americans alone

Information Technology is key to drive our business

Casino IT executives top priorities Improve security Data mining analytical techniques More sophisticated player data analysis to optimize player reward programs

Systems connect with all areas of the propertyFront desk Gaming pits Slot accounting systemCount room Cages KitchensCashier counters Retail shops HousekeepingPOS Etc

Yet all systems speak a different Language

Operator unaware of data details that slots can provide


Gaming Industry – DATA Gaming Industry – DATA

What DATA - Needs to be accurate DATA - Needs to be consistent DATA - Needs to be available from all parts of the operation DATA – Shared across multiple platforms and systems

Why DATA – Customer data is key to your operation DATA – Used to grow the business DATA - Assist in customer observations / prediction DATA – Allows you to reward your customers appropriately DATA - Allows you to grow loyalty DATA – Allows you to influence customers decisions


Gaming Industry Today – Lagging Technology

Gaming Industry Today – Lagging Technology

Proprietary solutions affect Operators, Manufacturers and Regulators

Engineering takes longer than normal

Systems and components not interchangeable

Labs and regulators must stay current on multitude of technologies

Cannot quickly benefit from the technology talent pool and transfer value

Long time to market


Gaming Industry Today - InefficienciesGaming Industry Today - Inefficiencies

Unlinked systems do not provide ‘big picture view’ of the operations

Challenging to get ‘real-time’ view of their patrons activities

Proprietary interfaces required Very costly Time inefficient Change one part / change the other

Need to access multiple systems to gain accurate information

Islands of information – customer data not known by other systems

Different terms to describe the same piece of data

Legacy systems remain in operations Fair of the unknown New pain of integration Patchwork


Gaming Industry Today – ConclusionGaming Industry Today – Conclusion

How can you run an efficient business when you have

such a complicated proprietary mess?

GSA OverviewGSA Overview


Overview – Some HistoryOverview – Some History

Initially GSA was incorporated as GAMMA in May 1998 with 6 members

Operators started to join the association in 1999 – GAMMA > GSA

Clear mission: We facilitate the identification, definition, development, promotion, and implementation of open standards to enable innovation, education, and communication for the benefit of the entire industry.


Overview - 2004 Board Of DirectorsOverview - 2004 Board Of Directors

Chair Gregg Solomon Mandalay Resort Group

Vice Chair Mark Lipparelli Bally Gaming and Systems

Secretary John Boushy Harrah’s Entertainment

Treasurer Thomas Nugent JCM American Corporation

Kent Young Aristocrat Technologies

Joe Bailo Atronic Americas

Val Levitan CashCode Company

Frank Ciuffetelli Isle of Capri

Steve Sutherland Konami Gaming

Jon Berkley TransAct Technologies

Fred Lychock R. Franco USA

Lyle Bell Seminole Tribe of Florida

Rob Siemasko WMS Gaming

Ex-officio Bruce Rowe VP Business Development


Overview - OrganizationOverview - Organization


Overview - Platinum MembersOverview - Platinum Members


Overview - Other MembersOverview - Other Members

Gold:

3M Touch Systems, Atronic Americas, LLC, CashCode Company, Inc., Foxwoods Resort Casino, GameTech International, GTECH Corporation, Intralot S.A., JCM American Corporation, Mars Electronics International, Money Controls, R. Franco USA, Scientific Games, Transact Technologies

Silver:

Alliance Gaming Services, AstroSys International LTD, Atronic Systems, Cadillac Jack, Caesar's Entertainment, Casino Technology AD, Coin Mechanisms, Inc., ELO Touchsystems, Flint & K, Inc., Giesecke & Devrient America, Inc., Global Payment Technologies, Inc., Glory USA, Inc., Gold Club, Himecs Co., Ltd., Hyatt Gaming, International Currency Technology, Kare Technology, Loto-Quebec, MBDA, Mikohn Gaming Corporation, NRT Technologies, Revive Partners, LLC, SGC-Link Corporation, Spielo, Unidesa Gaming, Universal Distributing of Nevada, VGT

Affiliates:

Australian Gaming Machine Manufacturers Association (AGMMA), Casino Management Association (CMA), European Gaming Organisation (EGO), Friedberg & Associates, Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV)

Advisory:

BMM North America Inc,, Gaming Consultants International, GGS-US LTD, GLI, Molex Incorporated, Nick Farley & Associates, Renaissance Casino Solutions


Overview – Membership CompositionOverview – Membership Composition

Operators/Hotel18%

Manufacturers41%

OEM21%

Affiliates10%

Advisors10%


Overview – Global Membership Overview – Global Membership

N. America64%

Europe18%

Australasia10%

Japan8%


Overview - Membership GrowthOverview - Membership Growth

Membership Growth

8

22

3835 37

5962

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Year

Mem

ber

s

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Others

Total

Technology InitiativesTechnology Initiatives


Technology InitiativesTechnology Initiatives

BOB – Best of Breed Developing communication standard between gaming devices and gaming

S2S – Systems to System Developing casino systems interface standard

GDS – Gaming Device Standards Developing internal communication standard between the processing units of

an electronic gaming device and its peripheral equipment


What is BOB?What is BOB?

BOB = Best Of Breed

Communications between EGMs and back-end servers

Designed to replace existing protocols

Based on current, proven technology standards: XML, TCP/IP, HTTP, etc

Supports high-speed communications by multiple back-end servers

Consists of three components: BOB Message Standard – version 1 complete BOB Transport Standard – HTTPS/SOAP complete BOB Configuration Standard – in process

Current workgroup focus: Toolkits VLT extensions Class 2 extensions


What is S2S?What is S2S?

S2S = System To System

Communications between back-end servers

Based on current, proven technology standards: XML, TCP/IP, HTTP, etc

Supports high-speed communications amongst back-end servers

Designed to complement and support BOB

S2S and BOB use common message handling methodologies

Consists of two components: S2S Message Standard – version 1 complete S2S Transport Standard – in process


What Is BOB? What Is S2S?What Is BOB? What Is S2S?

EGM

Progressive

Accounting

Player Tracking

Tickets

BOB

BOB

BOB

BOB

Kiosk

Coin/Bill

CountersS2S

S2S

S2S

S2S

S2S


What is GDS?What is GDS?

GDS = Gaming Device Standards

Internal communication between EGM and its peripherals

Based on proven technology: USB

Components Functional Requirements Specification – finished Design specifications – in process

Note Acceptor Coin Acceptor Hopper Printer Touch Screen

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments


Accomplishments - TechnologyAccomplishments - Technology

Standards GSA BOB – Best Of Breed Message Protocol V1.00 GSA BOB - Transport and Security over SOAP/HTTPS V1.00 GSA S2S - System to System Message Protocol V1.00 GSA GDS – Gaming Device Standard Functional Specification under review GSA SAS™ 6.01 Specification adopted

Toolkits GSA SAS™ 6.01 Toolkit and Test Scripts released BOB / S2S and GDS under development


Accomplishments - OperationsAccomplishments - Operations

Attracted the resources needed to support the organization Michelle Olesiejuk - Executive Director Mark Pace – RAC Chairman Bruce Rowe – VP of Business development (ex-officio BOD member) Marty Wegner – BOB Consultant (contracted) Tony Antonucci – BOB consultant (contracted) Russ Ristine – BOB consultant (contracted) Jeana Hines – Technical Writer (contracted)

Interoperability Center operating in Las Vegas

Established GSA SAS 6.01 compliance program

Interoperability Testing Interoperability Testing

and Complianceand Compliance


Interoperability and Compliance Testing Interoperability and Compliance Testing

The primary purpose: Impartial testing facility for integration testing of GSA standards GSA compliance – independent testing by 3rd party against GSA pre-defined test

scripts Compliance is a performance benchmark NOT a Regulatory Approval

Standards to be tested: Best of Breed (BOB) Gaming Device Standards (GDS) System to System (S2S) Future GSA technology standards GSA SAS™

Three-phase rollout: Phase I – GSA will work with single interoperability testing agency to get a solid

toolkit and test script product Phase II - GSA will open the field to other testing agencies Phase III – GSA will periodically evaluate the performance of licensed testing

agencies


Benefits of GSA Compliance Benefits of GSA Compliance

Peripheral

Manufacturer

BV1 BV2 CV1 CV2 TP1

Aristocrat Test1

Atronic Test2

Bally Test3

Konami Test4

WMS Test5

Peripheral

Manufacturer

BV1 BV2 CV1 CV2 TP1

Aristocrat Test1 Test2 Test3 Test4 Test5

Atronic Test11 Test12 Test13 Test14 Test15

Bally Test21 Test22 Test23 Test24 Test25

Konami Test31 Test32 Test33 Test34 Test35

WMS Test41 Test42 Test43 Test44 Test45

Today

With GSA Standards


Benefits of GSA ComplianceBenefits of GSA Compliance

For GSA Members and the Gaming Industry Decreased time to market due to improved regulatory process Plug and Play

More efficient casino floor installations Reduced follow up service calls

For Regulators Standardized protocols reduce the quantity and variety of required testing Enables better forensic analysis to resolve disputes

Who will make it work? The operators by requesting GSA compliance when making purchasing decisions


SAS 6.01 Compliance SAS 6.01 Compliance

Current SAS implementations are all different

Interoperability Requirements Specification (Operators Checklist)

Section 1: Minimum Required Accounting and Security

Section 2: Advanced Accounting

Section 3: Ticketing

Section 4: Real Time Events

Section 5: Progressives

Section 6: System Bonussing

Section 7: Cashless

Section 8: Tournament

Section 9: Authentication

Section 10: Miscellaneous and Legacy Support


Achieving InteroperabilityAchieving Interoperability

GSA SAS TOOLKIT COMPONENTS

GSA SAS CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Interoperability

Requirements Specification

(Operators Checklist)

Protocol

Specification

EGM Requirements

Specification

EGM Test Script

DocumentHost Simulator

Independent

Test Lab ReportGSA Certification

Successful Interoperability

on Casino Floor

Regulatory Advisory Regulatory Advisory

Committee Committee


RAC CommitteeRAC Committee

Mechanism for open dialogue between Regulators and GSA

Regulators are unwilling to formally participate in GSA due to impartiality concerns

Regulators are eager to learn about what GSA is working on and to provide input

RAC chair has been positioned as the Regulator’s point of contact within GSA

Routine one-on-one calls to each Regulatory body has been effective in identifying their concerns, creating demand for detailed information on BOB, and making headway in having regulators seek the Association’s input.


RAC CommitteeRAC CommitteeFeature/Functionality BOB SAS BESS

Open Standard Protocol Yes No No Additional messages can be added without requiring Protocol modification

Yes No No

Data is received as soon as transaction occurs (Transaction based)

Yes No

Polled No

Polled Serial Serial Serial Electronic Gaming Machine data can be transmitted over:

(See Notes - # 1) Ethernet

<= 0.0096Mbps >= 0.0096 Mbps <= 0.0096 Mbps <= 0.0192Mbps <= 0.0192 Mbps

Communication speed supported (See Notes - #2)

>=100.0000Mbps RS232 RS232 RS232

RS422/485 RS422/485 TTL TTL

Communications network types supported (See Notes - #3)

TCP/IP Messages are human readable (See Notes - #4) (See Appendix A)

Yes Standard XML

No Must decode

No Must decode

Can request and accept EGM meter information Yes Yes Yes Can request and accept EGM configuration and identification information

Yes Yes Yes

Supports EGM control functions (See Appendix B) Yes Limited Limited Can request and accept EGM peripheral device information

Yes No No

Supports EGM Peripheral Device Control (See Appendix C) (See Notes - #5)

Yes Limited Limited

Supports at machine and remote authentication of single game, and each game in a multi-game, firmware (G.A.T.)

Yes No No

Cashless/Progressive/Bonusing support (See Appendix D) Yes Limited Limited

Protocol Comparison Document


RAC CommitteeRAC Committee

Requirement Pass Fail Electrical Interference

Must withstand electrostatic discharges of <= 20,000 volts DC discharged through a network with a series resistance of 150 - 1500 ohms shunted by a capacitance of 100 to 150 picofarads, repeated at 1 second intervals.

May exhibit temporary disruption at electrostatic discharges of 20,000 - 27,000 volts DC discharged through a network with a series resistance of 150 - 1500 ohms shunted by a capacitance of 100 to 150 picofarads, repeated at 1 second intervals. EGD must recover and complete play without loss or corruption of any stored or displayed information and without component failure.

Power supply filtering must prevent disruption of the device by repeated AC power being switched on and off. No disruption when a 1 microfarad capacitor, charged to +/- 680 volts DC is discharged between the hot and neutral AC supply lines, at any phase from zero - 360 degrees, with a repetition rate of 30 times per second.

The RNG and random selection process must be impervious to influences from outside the device, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, electro-static, and radio frequency interference. The RNG and random selection process must be protected from influence by associated equipment communicating with the EGD.

Coin/Token Acceptors Must accept designated coins/tokens and reject others, and minimize the potential for use of cheating methods such as slugging, stringing or spooning.

Must accept or reject coins/tokens on the basis of metal composition, unless .05 or less, if the EGD is configured to accept more than 20 coins/tokens for a single play.

May not accept more than $3,000 in coins/tokens before a wager must be made or play initiated. Gaming Vouchers

If a wagering instrument is less in amount than that EGD’s smallest denomination then the EGD shall: (a) Immediately reject the wagering instrument if that EGD does not have an odd cents meter; or (b) Allow for the additional accumulation of wagering credits if the EGD has an odd cents meter.

If a wagering instrument is greater in amount than the EGD’s smallest denomination and not evenly divisible by any of the EGD’s denominations then the EGD shall:

(a) Immediately issue a change voucher or coupon if that EGD does not have an odd cents meter and is equipped with a printer mechanism;

(b) Allow for the additional accumulation of wagering credits; (c) Immediately reject the wagering instrument; or (d) Immediately reject the wagering instrument if that EGD is not equipped with a printer mechanism or if the printer mechanism is not functioning for any reason.

Sample Page from US Technical Requirements Document

Gaming Industry TomorrowGaming Industry Tomorrow


Gaming Industry Tomorrow - FactsGaming Industry Tomorrow - Facts

Systems are an integral part of the operations

Convergence of Technology in gaming markets (Class 2, 3 and VLT) System Supported System Based Downloadable games Dynamic floor configuration Cashless

Operators will have the ability to seamless compile transactional data and use decision science methodologies to model and forecast business decisions and hence retain and grow customer loyalty

Increased operational efficiency and revenue


Gaming Industry Tomorrow - EfficienciesGaming Industry Tomorrow - Efficiencies

Freedom of choice

No more barrier to Exit

More knowledge of slot floor capabilities and floor control

Increased service, support, response time

Increased reliability

Lower operational costs

Lower unit cost

Manufacturers simplified market access (Class 2, Class 3, VLT)

Faster product introduction into new markets


Gaming Industry Tomorrow - ConclusionGaming Industry Tomorrow - Conclusion

Invest In Independent Technology Standards

Standards Will Drive Innovation

GSA Offers Synergistic Collaboration

Q & AQ & A

Looking Forward To Meeting Looking Forward To Meeting

You All At G2EYou All At G2E

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