Transcript GSA 2007 Operator`s Forum - Gaming Standards Association

Welcome to…
GSAEurope
2008
Our Platinum Members
www.gamingstandards.com
Agenda
• Part 1: The Organization
–
–
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Overview
Future Technology Realities
The Power of GSA Standards
GSA and IP
• Part 2: The Technology – Let’s Dig A bit Deeper
– Gaming Device Standard (GDS)
– Game To System Standard (G2S)
• What Does It Mean For An Operator?
• What Does It Take To Prepare?
• Changes to Your Slot Floor
– System To System Standard (S2S)
– Game Authentication Terminal (GAT)
• Closing Remarks and Q/A
www.gamingstandards.com
Part 1: The Organization
Who Are We?
www.gamingstandards.com
www.gamingstandards.com
Who are we?
• Who is GSA?
– We are a non-profit organization established in May 1998
• Who are we affiliated with?
– Australian Gaming Machine Manufacturers Association
– Macau Polytechnic Institute
– UNLV
• How many members do we have?
– A total of 72 members
• 13 platinum, 20 Gold, 29 Silver
• 5 Advisory, 5 Affiliate
• How are you funded?
– Through membership dues
www.gamingstandards.com
Vision and Mission Statement
• Vision
– To be the leading standards forum that creates value by facilitating
innovation and efficiencies for the gaming community
• Mission
– The gaming Standards Association (GSA) is an international trade
association that creates benefits for 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.
• Value
– We will operate with integrity, fairness and transparency
– We believe that open standards benefit our industry because they
provide speed to market, innovation, value and extended useful life
www.gamingstandards.com
Standards
www.gamingstandards.com
Global Membership
Asia
10%
Oceania
11%
Europe
14%
Americas
65%
www.gamingstandards.com
Membership Composition
Affiliates 4
6%
Advisors 5
8%
Operators/Hotel 16
22%
OEM 7
11%
Manufacturers 39
54%
www.gamingstandards.com
Membership Growth
80
76
70
70
59
Platinum
Gold
50
Silver
40
38
30
35
37
Others
Total
22
20
10
72
8
0
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
Members
60
72
Year
www.gamingstandards.com
Organizational Structure
www.gamingstandards.com
Board Of Directors 2007
Chair
Vice Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Lyle Bell
Randy Hedrick
Don Karrer
Bob Sobczyk
Jim Morrow
Ken Bossingham
Bruce Rowe
Derrik Khoo Sin Huat
Tim Stanley
Steve Sutherland
Jon Berkley
Tom Peck
Brendan O’Connor
Tom Galanty
Rob Siemasko
Seminole Tribe of Florida
IGT
Penn National Gaming
Ameristar Casinos
Aristocrat Technologies
Atronic Americas
Bally Technologies
E-Genting Holdings
Harrah’s Entertainment
Konami Gaming
Las Vegas Gaming
MGM Mirage
Multimedia Games
Progressive Gaming
WMS Gaming
John Hilbert
Bob McKenzie
Future Logic
MEI
www.gamingstandards.com
The GSA Team
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Michelle Olesiejuk
Marc McDermott
Ethan Tower
Leslie Kefer
Lisa Rodriguez
Jeana Hines
Art Rogers
Executive Director
Technical Director
Protocol Director
Marketing Project Manager
Association Specialist
Technical Documentation
Legal Counsel
www.gamingstandards.com
Membership
• Voting members
– Platinum annual dues $80,250
– Gold
annual dues $32,100
• Non-voting members
– Silver
annual dues $21,400
• Board
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15 voting seats: 11 reserved for platinum and 4 at large (platinum & gold)
The 11 seats reserved for Platinum members are elected for a 2 year term
The remaining 4 seats are elected for a 1 year term
Any Platinum member can attend board meetings
• Committee participation
– All members can participate in committee meetings
– Only voting members can chair a committee
– Only voting members can vote on standards
www.gamingstandards.com
Expenditure Breakdown 2007
Technical
Development
25%
Operational
46%
Grants
19%
Certification
0%
Tradeshow
& Meetings
3%
Marketing
7%
www.gamingstandards.com
Expenditure Breakdown 2008
Technical
Development
31%
(up from 25%)
Operational
43%
(down from 46%)
Grants
15%
(down from 19%)
Certification
3%
Tradeshow &
(up from 0%)
Meetings
2%
(down from 3%)
Marketing
6%
(down from 7%)
www.gamingstandards.com
Standards Development Process
www.gamingstandards.com
Industry Recognition
• Jan 05, 2007 – Global Gaming Business
– G2S: Top honors as Best Productivity- Enhancement Technology
• Jan 22, 2007 - IGWB
– G2S: one of the top 3 gaming products of the year
• Apr 25, 2007 – Casino Enterprise Management
– G2S: Slot Floor Technology Award
• May 3, 2007 - UNLV
– The UNLV foundation honors Gaming Standards Association with
membership in The Benefactor Society of the University of Nevada,
Las Vegas.
• May 24, 2007 – Casino Journal
– G2S: Silver award in top 20 most innovative gaming products of the
year 2006
www.gamingstandards.com
www.gamingstandards.com
Current Realities
• Multiple vendors demonstrated interoperability at G2E
2006, 2007 and ICE
– 3 System vendors
– 4 different vendor’s EGM’s connected to each of the Systems
• Demonstrated theme and denomination changes
• Another demonstrated Configuration - changing
language, sound volumes, denominations, and game
themes via a central GUI
• Labs are gearing up to certify G2S
• Most EGM and System vendors are now pushing
towards G2S
• We noted extensive adoption of G2S and S2S during
G2E 2007
www.gamingstandards.com
Education Program
• GSA sponsored G2S Certified Engineer program with UNLV
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GSA provided a $1.1M grant to UNLV
Program was developed
First two classes completed 16 G2E certificates issued
Started development of the S2S Certified Engineer Program
• GSA is exploring new structures to provide global education
• GSA members enjoy tuition discounts (30% / 10% / 5%)
www.gamingstandards.com
UNLV Program Schedule 2008
Jan 28 – Feb 01
Advanced Topics in G2S
GSA 112
Feb 13
An Executive Briefing on GSA Protocols
GSA 001
Feb 19
An Executive Overview of G2S
GSA 010
Feb 20
An Executive Overview of S2S
GSA 020
Feb 21
An Executive Overview of Transport and Security
GSA 030
Mar 03
An Executive Overview of Transport and Security
Overview of Transport and Security
GSA 030
GSA 130
Mar 04 - 07
Advanced Transport and Security Protocol
GSA 131
Mar 10
An Executive Overview of the G2S Protocol
Overview of the G2S Protocol
GSA 010
GSA 110
Mar 11 - 14
Basic Game Play with G2S
GSA 111
Mar 17 - 21
Advanced Topics in G2S
GSA 112
www.gamingstandards.com
Future Technology Realities
in the Gaming Industry
Where is EGM Hardware Going?
• Single Purpose Slot Machines
• Multi-function Slot Machines
• Proprietary machine design
• Many hardware platforms
• Non-standard peripherals
• PC-like slot machines
• Fewer hardware platforms
• Standard peripheral command
sets and protocols, allowing for
interchangeability
www.gamingstandards.com
What About EGM Software?
• Many proprietary operating
systems
• Fewer standard operating
systems
• Few content providers
• Many content providers
• Physical distribution of game
content
• Centralized distribution of game
content via intranet
• Numerous proprietary
communication protocols
• Computer industry standard
communication protocols
• Machine software personality
and options are entered
manually at each EGM, causing
incorrect configuration of games
• Machine hardware and software
personality and configuration
information is automatically
broadcast from configuration
servers
www.gamingstandards.com
Changes in Communicating Information
• Game centric
• Multiple wired network
connections
• Some transaction content can be
accessed through proprietary
systems
• Difficult to interface disparate
systems
• Network centric
• Single wire/wireless network
connections
• All transaction information is
available to operators and
regulators direct from EGM
• Standards allow for simple“plug
and play” addition of various
systems
www.gamingstandards.com
The Power of GSA Standards
The Casino Network
www.gamingstandards.com
The Casino Network using GSA Standards
www.gamingstandards.com
The Protocols
• G2S - Game to System Protocol
– Used to connect Gaming Devices to back of house systems
– SAS Replacement
• S2S - System to System Protocol
– Used to connect servers to servers
– In the field connecting EGM (Electronic Gaming Machine) Central
Servers to a Central Accounting server
www.gamingstandards.com
Intro into the Protocols
• G2S and S2S protocols are made up of “classes”
– The classes separate the protocol into smaller parts with each
performing a specific function
• The name of the class is typically the function it provides
– Some classes represent physical devices
• money acceptors, printers etc.
– Some classes represent a business need
• such as vouchers or handpay…
– Some classes represent a protocol function
• such as Communications, or registerClient…
www.gamingstandards.com
Intro into the Protocols
• All Classes have at least one Host
– Owner host
• Computer/Server that owns and is responsible for managing a particular
class
– Guest host
• Primarily a “listen only” computer/server that can subscribe to events
and request meters status, logs and profile information from a class
(G2S Only)
• Guest host capability varies by class
www.gamingstandards.com
Intro into the Protocols
• G2S and S2S protocols generate events
– Everything that happens on the floor generates an event.
• For example: money in, money out, coin jam, game started, game
ended, secondary game started, player card activity, hot player
threshold reached, etc.
– An operator can elect to subscribe to any event of interest and can
elect to include the data affected by the event
– When an event occurs, a message is sent to all who subscribe to the
event
www.gamingstandards.com
Intro into the Protocols
• Transport Protocol
– Applies to G2S and S2S
– The Transport is the cargo truck – the cargo is the G2S and S2S
messages.
– Provides security (SSL) for both protocols
– Ensures the G2S and S2S messages get to the correct destination
• Point to Point: guarantees delivery
• Multicast: broadcast to select group of games (e.g.: progressive
updates…)
www.gamingstandards.com
Intro into the Protocols
• GDS – Gaming Device Standard
– Internal to an EGM
– USB protocol which connects peripherals (note acceptor, card
reader, printer, etc.) to the main computer board in the EGM
• SAS – Slot Accounting System
– This protocol is the most widely used in the industry
– GSA Certification process for SAS currently in place (Operators are
now starting to require certification from their manufacturers)
www.gamingstandards.com
A few Cold Hard Facts
• Every manufacturer is aggressively implementing G2S in
its games
• SAS funeral will be on Jan 1, 2010
• Most server-based games will use G2S and require a high
speed network
• Existing slot floor networks are obsolete
• G2S-based games will have cool new features that every
casino HAS to have to remain competitive
www.gamingstandards.com
www.gamingstandards.com
Certification Program
• GSA Compliance testing is NOT Regulatory Approval
• GSA has enhanced its certification program to be
International by adopting the ISO 17025 requirement for
Testing Laboratories
• Correct and consistent implementation of GSA’s standards
• GSA to provide free protocol toolkits to governmental
agencies
• Formal process for the testing and certification of Products
• Products passing certification will be published in the
Certification Register on GSA’s web site
www.gamingstandards.com
ISO 17025 / ISO 17011
• 17025 Accreditation
– ISO 17025 defines the general management, quality and technical
requirements that testing labs must meet to demonstrate their
competence
– ISO 17025 is an international standard recognized around the world
• Certifications issued by an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory are
recognized by other ISO 17025 accredited test labs
• No recertification required in different jurisdictions
– Ensures quality as well as technical competence
• Allows specification of a GSA Scope to list specific technical capabilities
important to performing GSA communications testing
– The accreditation of ISO 17025 can only be performed by an
Accreditation Body that conforms to ISO 17011
www.gamingstandards.com
International Recognition
International Laboratory
Accreditation Cooperation
ILAC
Global , 58 signatories
Members :
A2LA
ACLASS
NVLAP
IAS
Asia Pacific Laboratory
Accreditation Cooperation
European
cooperation for
Accreditation
InterAmerican
Accreditation
Cooperation
EA
IAAC
Europe – 33
signatories
Americas – 9
signatories
Members :
A2LA
Members :
A2LA
ACLASS
IAS
APLAC
Asia & Pacific Rim
26 signatories
Members :
A2LA
ACLASS
NVLAP
IAS
•
National Coopertion for
Laboratory Accreditation
NACLA
Americas – 7 signatories
Members :
ACLASS
NVLAP
IAS
NOTE: The above diagram is not meant to indicate any hierarchy other than that ILAC is
global and the others are regional.
www.gamingstandards.com
The Big Pieces
• Accreditation Body (AB)
– Belongs to an international accreditation organization so
accreditations are recognized worldwide (A2LA)
– Employs Assessors to evaluate the Test Labs for ISO 17025
accreditation
– They issue the ISO 17025 accreditation to a Test Lab
• Test Labs
– Requires ISO 17025 accreditation with a GSA scope to demonstrate
they are capable of testing the protocols
– Could be suppliers, testing agencies, operators…
– The certification guide specifies error limits also ensure a quality
product
www.gamingstandards.com
The Big Pieces
• Manufacturers
– Send products to an Accredited Test Lab for certification
– Participate in Self Determination program for programs based on
a certified product
• Operators
– Require certified products
– Participate in Fault Reporting process to correct errors in the
process (close the feedback loop)
www.gamingstandards.com
Test Lab Certification Process
GSA Trained
Assessors
Test Lab requests
ISO 17025
Accreditation with
GSA Scope
AB sends Assessors to
test the Test Labs
AB Evaluates test
data
No
Data OK
Yes
Test Lab Enrolls in
GSA Certification
program
AB Issues 17025
Certificate
To Test Lab
Test Lab is
ready to test
for GSA
Certification
www.gamingstandards.com
Certification Process
• GSA approved Testing Lab attests that a product conforms
to the GSA standard
• A certificate of conformance is issued for that product by the
Certification Authority (GSA)
• A public record for that product is added to the Certification
Register on the GSA web site
www.gamingstandards.com
Self Determination
• It is a determination by the vendor that a product does not
retesting as it is based on a previously certified product
• Self Determination is a privilege granted by the GSA
Certification Authority
• Revocation fault threshold is based on the total number of
certifications requested
• After the fault threshold is reached a vendor looses the
privilege for 6 months
www.gamingstandards.com
Some Remarks…
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New Operators Advisory Committee formed
GSA is planning a 2008 Plug Fest
Tighter release management – 2 releases / year
On line support www.gamingstandards.com
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Committee Charters
All standards are free to download
Network wiring suggestions
All Presentations
UNLV program overview
Consultants and Resources
IP.COM filings
www.gamingstandards.com
Some Confusion…
• Comment: GSA is developing a US centric solution
• Response:
– Gaming is a global business
– Governments need the same information for regulating the industry
• Accurate accounting for money in / out of the gaming device
• Ability to track players gaming activity
• Maintain a secure and fair gaming environment
– There are some differences from jurisdiction to jurisdiction on how
gaming is conducted based on economic and social concerns
• These changes are on the periphery of the protocol such as adding a
new meter or some events
• The core of the protocol is global by design – it allows for accounting,
security, player tracking information etc
– GSA standards are developed by 72 members 35% of which are
based outside the US
www.gamingstandards.com
Global Standards – How?
• GSA is committed to providing the gaming community with
a single standard to grow the business
• Technical Director (ex NV regulator) is available to work
with the various global jurisdictions on a one on one basis
to go through the requirements and match them up against
the capabilities of the protocol
– Australia – we have received comments relating to the unique
requirements and they are being addressed as we speak
• Any required jurisdictional changes will be documented and
released in the next protocol release schedule
• GSA can assist in discussing any new technologies and
preemptively put the necessary changes in place
www.gamingstandards.com
GSA and IP
Art Rogers
Howard and Howard
Intellectual Property and GSA
• INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
• Patents
• Copyrights
• Trademarks
• Trade Secrets
www.gamingstandards.com
Intellectual Property and GSA
Revised GSA Patent Policy
– Patents will be licensed under Reasonable
Terms and Conditions
– Committee Charters have been updated to
define scope
– Members must choose to ‘Opt-in’ to committee
participation
– Only ‘Necessary Patents’ must be disclosed
www.gamingstandards.com
Intellectual Property and GSA
IP.COM
Repository
Prior Art Data Base
Publication of Technical Disclosures
Data Stamp
Searchable
www.gamingstandards.com
Intellectual Property and GSA
• Why is intellectual property (IP) important
to GSA?
• What is the role of IP in the GSA
standards?
www.gamingstandards.com
Intellectual Property and GSA
• Do open standards require companies to
give up their IP rights?
www.gamingstandards.com
Intellectual Property and GSA
• Should there be royalty-free access to the
IP in the GSA standards?
www.gamingstandards.com
Intellectual Property and GSA
• What constitutes a "good" standard from
GSA’s perspective?
www.gamingstandards.com
Intellectual Property and GSA
• What are some of the global challenges
GSA faces today?
– Different was of doing business
– Different languages from a technical standpoint
www.gamingstandards.com
GSA Policy on Licensing IP
(a) GSA shall not negotiate or otherwise become involved in the terms or
conditions of any licensing by or between members or third parties; the
party desiring to utilize licensable technology shall work directly with
the owner of the technology to negotiate any desired licensing
arrangements.
(b) Should patented technology be donated to GSA by a Member or third
party, or otherwise made freely available for use, if requested by the
Member or third party GSA may (so as to minimize the administrative
burden on the entity providing such technology and subject to (a)
above) act as an administrative agent for same solely insofar as
maintaining licensing agreements and related records on behalf of
same.
www.gamingstandards.com
Short Break
The Technology – Let’s Dig A Bit Deeper
Russ Ristine
RadBlue
So What Are GSA’s Protocol
Current Capabilities Today?
Current Capabilities
• Real-time Software Download to EGMs
Major benefits:
– More flexible floor, allowing dynamic addition of the games patrons
want to play
– Software downloading for peripheral devices such as printers and
note acceptors is next
– Reduced down time by not having to shut down individual games
www.gamingstandards.com
Current Capabilities
• Provide 3rd party application access to floor
data
Major benefits:
– Reduce reliance on a single vendor solution
– Offer solutions at the speed of business
– Ability to react to events as they happen
• Locate hot players while they are still hot
• Locate un-carded big players while they are playing
www.gamingstandards.com
Current Capabilities
• Improved access to machine meter information
Can be sent:
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on demand
on periodic intervals
at end of day
as result of a particular event
Major benefits:
– Reduce audit timing variances due to more flexibility in meter
requests
– Any G2S Host can request the meters as needed
www.gamingstandards.com
Current Capabilities
• Secure off-line voucher validation
- Allow players to continue to cash-out and redeem vouchers securely
when the EGM is offline
- Vouchers can be patron coupons or tickets
- Allows for a potential relaxing of current offline regulations and MICS
www.gamingstandards.com
Current Capabilities
• New software can be downloaded to the printer
– Coupons, comp slips, and marketing greetings can be printed on the
fly
– Player specific information can be printed on the ticket
• Print the player’s name on the ticket or coupon
– New printer templates can downloaded to the printer
• A template is a printed layout with graphics and blank fields to fill in
www.gamingstandards.com
Current Capabilities
• New software can be downloaded to the note
acceptor
– Provides for easy updates as new bills are released
– Saves labor costs and reduces downtime
– The note denomination accepted can be adjusted from a central
host computer for the entire floor
– Ability to quickly disable specific bills when new counterfeits come
out in order to limit exposure
– Ability to turn on/off voucher acceptance
– Support for multi-coin acceptors
www.gamingstandards.com
Current Capabilities
• GAT – Game Authentication Terminal
– Provides validation of EGM software
• At the EGM, or the Server, or from a remote location
– Reduce completion time and effort to perform regulatory software
verification requirements
– Benefits:
• Software in EGM can be validated automatically, as often as needed
• Could compare results to those obtained by regulatory lab – be assured
you are running legitimate code
www.gamingstandards.com
Part 2: The Technology
Gaming Device Standards (GDS)
GDS Suite of Standards
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Connector Standard
GDS Coin Acceptor
GDS Coin Hopper
GDS Note Acceptor
GDS Touch Screen
GDS Printer
GDS Page Description Language
GDS Card Reader
Bar Coded Ticket Specification
www.gamingstandards.com
Benefits of GDS
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Standardizes communications between EGM and its peripheral devices
Easily change between peripherals from different vendors
Plug and Play USB communication
Peripheral device provides detailed information to EGM
Coupled with G2S, peripheral device info is sent to the host systems
Device commands (and code) can be sent from host systems through
the EGM to the peripheral device
www.gamingstandards.com
Part 2: The Technology
Game To System Protocol (G2S)
What is G2S?
GSA
develops
BOB
IGT
develops
SuperSAS
Agree to
merge
protocols
G2S
is born…
The best
of both!
• G2S = Game To System
• Protocol definition complete
• Between Oct 2005 and Dec 2006
there were 100+ meetings, 3 times
a week, 7,700 man hours, 31
industry experts, resulted into a
1400+ pages) standard
• Manufacturers are already
demonstrating interoperability
• 3rd Party development and test
tools are available
• GSA Certification program in
development
www.gamingstandards.com
Here is what is on the gaming floor
today...
[Looks like hex to me…]
www.gamingstandards.com
A G2S Meter Request
Host Request
<getMeters>
<getPerfMeters
meterName="coinIn"
themeId = “sum”
paytableId=”sum”
denomId=“all”
/>
</getMeters>
EGM Response
<meterInfo metertype =“onDemand”>
<perfMeter
Metername="coinIn"
denomid=”5”
meterValue=“50015”/>
<perfMeter
Metername="coinIn"
denomid=”25”
meterValue=“1003525”/>
<perfMeter
Metername="coinIn"
denomid=”100”
meterValue=“2504100” />
</meterinfo>
[A little easier to understand]
www.gamingstandards.com
Existing Classes
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G2S Message
communication Class
cabinet Class
eventHandler Class
meters Class
gamePlay Class
deviceConfig Class
commConfig Class
optionConfig Class
download Class
handpay Class
coinAcceptor Class
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noteAcceptor Class
hopper Class
noteDispenser Class
printer Class
progressive Class
idReader Class
bonus Class
player Class
voucher Class
wat Class
gat Class
central Class
www.gamingstandards.com
Part 2: The Technology
What Does It Mean For An Operator?
What Does It Take To Prepare?
Major Migration Issues
• G2S game features likely to be available on premium
games before “Legacy” slot accounting, player tracking
and TITO systems can support G2S
• Impossible to make overnight conversion from Legacy to
new G2S-based floor system. Time frame is multi-month
to multi-year
www.gamingstandards.com
Major Migration Issues (continued)
• Legacy and G2S-based systems MUST operate in parallel
and harmony with each other to continue normal operations
and minimize impact on casino operations
• Cold Hard Fact: Senior Management expects a
transparent migration with no revenue interruption and a
continuing level of superb customer service
www.gamingstandards.com
Migration Strategies - Option 1
• Buy G2S games when Senior Management wants them,
wire floor as required for new games and continue
purchasing SAS-based player tracking hardware for the
next few years
• Wait for somebody to create an innovative, simple migration
solution; or retire soon
www.gamingstandards.com
Migration Strategies - Option 2
• Wait a year or two and plan a massive, multi-million dollar
Big-Bang conversion by perfectly executing a project plan
which, in reality, can only be accomplished with Mythical
Man Months
• Develop contingency career plan
www.gamingstandards.com
Migration Strategies - Option 3
• Work with your system vendor to implement S2S solutions
for bridging the gap between Legacy and G2S floor systems
• DEMAND GSA-certified G2S games and S2S interfaces
www.gamingstandards.com
Why should I care?
• Serious limitations on how to grow the business
– Slot floor uses a very slow pipe
• Less than 10 yrs ago 56KB modems – why would I want internet anyway?
• Today – online shopping, banking, listen to radio, watch TV
– Network is single purpose
– Connected to the hip with your system vendor
• The new casino floor will become a multi-purpose
network
– Offer new services
– Drive innovation
www.gamingstandards.com
Part 2: The Technology
Changes to Your Slot Floor
Slot Floor Network - Today
www.gamingstandards.com
Moving forward…
• First Goal – remotely configure EGMs with G2S
• If only doing configuration, a second connection to the EGM
is needed
• You can start anywhere on the gaming floor – start with one
bank or area
• A wireless network might be used to minimize infrastructure
costs
www.gamingstandards.com
Adding a New Network
FTP
Ethernet
Download
Server
TCP/IP
G2S
EGM
Configuration
Management
Proprietary
Protocol
SAS
SMIB
Slot Floor
Management
Server
[SMIB resides in the
EGM Cabinet ]
(S2S can fix this mess)
www.gamingstandards.com
No Traffic Jams…
100 Million bps (initial floor
communication speed)
8 Million bps (Hi speed DSL)
19 thousand bps (current floors (SAS))
.
Network Backbone = 1 Billion bps
www.gamingstandards.com
No Traffic Jams
• New Network infrastructure
– 1 (or 10) Gbps backbone
– 100 Mbps to every EGM
• Staff transitions from slot mechanics to network
configuration and management
• Slots + IT = Success
• Don’t go cheap - like a computer, your network can’t be too
fast
www.gamingstandards.com
Historic Approach to Adding Functionality
Slot Floor System
Vouchers
Config
Download
www.gamingstandards.com
G2S (Web Services) Approach
Progressive
System
Bonus
System
Player
Tracking
System
Cashless
Wagering
System
EGM Configuration
Application
Accounting
System
G2S
Ethernet
G2S
SAS
SMIB
www.gamingstandards.com
Part 2: The Technology
System To System Protocol (S2S)
What about Systems?
• Every System vendor has their own suite of protocols for
connecting to peripherals
• Every peripheral has a suite of protocols for connecting to
different systems
• Everything eventually works together but it’s hard to make
changes
– New vendor
– New feature
www.gamingstandards.com
System to System (S2S)
S2S
Point of Sale
System
Progressive
System
Hotel
System
Bonus
System
Player
Tracking
System
Cashless
Wagering
System
EGM Configuration
Application
Accounting
System
G2S
Ethernet
G2S
www.gamingstandards.com
Things To Think About
• How easy is it to get information moved into your in-house
systems for analysis?
• What if you could go to a gaming show, see a product, and
have it in your casino the following week?
• Wouldn’t it be nice to have the information captured by each
system available to all other systems in a consistent
manner?
www.gamingstandards.com
S2S Protocol
• With GSA’s S2S protocol, there’s now one “standard”
System to System protocol
• Provides a standardized way for communications to occur
(messages, transport, and security)
• S2S can be easily extended to accommodate new features
and functions
• S2S uses proven Internet technology such as TCP/IP and
Web Services, and is designed for reliability in a high traffic
network
www.gamingstandards.com
Benefits of S2S
• Supports “plug and play” for systems and peripheral
devices
– Try out a new product
– If you don’t like it, return it!
• Standardization promotes portability, interoperability and
reusability
– Vendors can write one interface and use it everywhere
– Reduces testing (and problems in the field)
– Vendors spend less time on maintaining protocols
– Vendors Benefit from reduced complexity
(More time for new features)
– A new vendor only has to write one interface to get into the market,
vs. 4 to 6 that they have to do now
www.gamingstandards.com
S2S and Class II
In the Class II world, each manufacturer has their own server
for central determination, etc.
The Problem: Four game manufacturers means
– Four separate accounting reports,
– Four player tracking feeds, and
– Four voucher systems
• Vouchers are only redeemable on same manufacturer’s games
• What about the cashier booth? (four redemption terminals…)
www.gamingstandards.com
Class II Dilemma
LABTRONIX
CORY
MULTIMEDIA
ROCKET
www.gamingstandards.com
Class II Solution
Accounting
Player tracking
Vouchers
System X
GSA S2S
Game Servers
System A
System B
Vendor A
System C
Vendor B
Vendor A
Vendor B
Vendor C
Vendor C
System D
Vendor D
Vendor D
www.gamingstandards.com
Part 2: The Technology
Game Authentication Terminal (GAT) Class
A Word Or Two On GAT
• GAT (Game Authentication Terminal) protocol is currently
being used in several jurisdictions to validate game code
(locally at EGM)
• With the new protocols, regulators could use GAT remotely
to validate game code stored in EGMs and on Code
Servers
• Allow vendor and regulator to choose there own algorithms
to authenticate code
A common tool and process to authenticate all programs.
www.gamingstandards.com
Remote Regulatory Monitoring (S2S)
Regulatory
Server
GSA’s G2S Protocol
In-House Servers
Site Controller
Internet
Remote Regulatory Server uses
S2S or existing protocol to
receive accounting meters and
events through in-house server
www.gamingstandards.com
Remote Regulatory Monitoring (G2S)
Regulatory
Server
GSA’s G2S Protocol
In-House Servers
Internet
Regulatory server
needs to be
always available
www.gamingstandards.com
Part 3: Closing Remarks and Q&A
P. DeRaedt
What Can You Do To Prep For G2S?
• Conduct strategic planning sessions
• Start planning for new casino floor infrastructure
• Figure out how to offer new features before your
competitors
• Plan to minimize disruptions on your floor while adding this
new capabilities
• Disruption will be greater than TITO
• Have a party for Slots + IT + Marketing Department
www.gamingstandards.com
As An Operator You Can…
•
•
•
•
•
•
Become part of a community that is re-defining gaming
Stay involved in what GSA is doing
Join GSA’s Operator Advisory Board
Become an intelligent consumer
Ask vendors about GSA protocol progress
Insist on certified products (major change is coming quickly
– minimize your pain)
www.gamingstandards.com
An Easier Strategy…
• Do nothing
• Go to trade shows once or twice a year – make sure there
are plenty of parties and golf outings
• Read an occasional trade magazine
• Act surprised when your customers start going to other
properties
• React violently without advance planning
• Good News – you still have about 2 more years

www.gamingstandards.com
Hope to see you all next year…
GSAAsia
2009