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Gaming Standards Association NAGRA Conference – Charlotte, SC April 23, 2002. Bruce Rowe Board of Directors, Gaming Standards Association Vice President Corporate Slot Operations, Research and Development , Harrah’s Entertainment. Vision and Mission Statement.
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Gaming Standards Association NAGRA Conference – Charlotte, SCApril 23, 2002 Bruce Rowe Board of Directors, Gaming Standards Association Vice President Corporate Slot Operations, Research and Development , Harrah’s Entertainment
Vision and Mission Statement Vision: To be the leading standards forum that creates value by facilitating innovation and efficiencies for the gaming community Mission: GSA is an international trade association representing gaming manufacturers, suppliers, operators and regulators. 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.
Members Platinum Acres Gaming, Aristocrat Technologies, Harrah’s Entertainment, IGT, Mandalay Resort Group, WMS Gaming Gold: Bally Gaming, CashCode, JCM American, Konami Gaming, MARS Electronics, MIS-Group, Money Controls, Shuffle Master Gaming, Slot-Tickets Silver: Atronic Americas, Austrian Gaming Industries, Boyd Gaming, Cirsa Interactive, Coin Mechanisms, Global Payment Technology, Gold Club, Mikohn Gaming, Namitech, Park Place Entertainment, Sierra Design Group, Sigma Game, Spielo Manufacturing, Unidesa Affiliates: Casino Management Association, European Gaming Organisation, Friedberg & Associates, HITIS, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV)
History of Technology Direct Connect Networked Wireless
Floor of Today Presentation & Game Logic Slot Management Systems Multiple Communi- cations Protocols Other Systems Proprietary Operating System Proprietary Hardware • Casino Management Systems • Paging Systems • Etc. Slot System Processor • Bally SDS • C.D.S. • IGT IGS • Acres • Dacomm • Over 15 Manufacturers • Multiple Platforms per Vendor • 49 Protocols
Issues & Reality • Protocols are a barrier to entry • Regulators challenged by a need for more: • Education • Speed • Confidence • Reciprocity • Effective model for collaboration • Strategic v.s. Tactical direction
Inevitabilities • Casino floor will mimic technology found outside the market • Customers will become more comfortable with new technology • Bundled products will become a niche – not the norm • Data demand will dramatically increase • Security issues will increase and become more complex • Useful life of products will be harder to predict
Floor of Tomorrow Presentation ------------------------ Game Logic Paging Systems Computer Industry Standard Communication Protocols Casino Management Systems Standard Operating System Open Bus Hardware Platform Etc. Slot System Network Interface Card Slot Management Systems Etc.
Statements of Direction by Operators • Games should broadcast hardware and software personality to the system • Peripherals should have standard plugs, auto-configure and have same command message set for operations • Transaction content (per game) • Game being played • Denomination bet • Coin-in/coin-out • Number of games played • Coins • Par • Uniform product design for base footprint • Single wire network • Network centric • 5-year backward compatibility
Implication for Operators • Better tools increase bottom line • Flexible “plug and play” components with wider choice of vendors and products • Smoother installations resulting in fewer operational disruptions and reduced service costs • More creative game content • More advanced technology available • Easier to create customized features
Implication for Manufacturers • New installs will work the first time at a customer site (less finger pointing when problems occur) • Will grow the market - we can spend less time on the mundane and more time on innovation • Can concentrate on added value • Defined specifications and verification services mean faster time to market and lower development cost • Roll out of enhancements are planned versus incompatible chaos • Faster approval cycle • Reduced cost to integrate systems
GSAOpportunities Today • Bridge the gap between existing protocols and games, systems and peripherals • Assure games and systems provides all information available to the operator • Identify the difference between required and optional features in existing protocols • Secure commitment from GSA members to implement standards
Implication for Regulators • Common features across all jurisdictions • Simplification of testing and approval • Built in compliance increases security • Fewer resources required to verify compliance • Focus approval resources towards games • Simpler training for field regulators – fewer protocols • System activities easier to regulate • Access to a vendor-neutral technology forum • Improvement in regulatory capability via new technology will prevent scandals and enhance public trust
Statements of Direction by Regulators ? ? ? ? ?