Transcript GSA 2007 Operator's Forum - Gaming Standards Association

Macau PolyTech Meeting
November 19, 2007
Platinum Members
Agenda
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•
•
•
•
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Welcome
GSA Orientation
Industry Update
Technology Overview
Next Steps
Closing Remarks
Who Are We?
• GSA is a non-profit organization established in May 1998
• GSA is affiliated with:
– UNLV
– Australian Gaming Machine Manufacturers Association
– Macau Polytechnic Institute
• GSA is an international organization of gaming manufacturers,
suppliers, operators, vendors
– Currently a total of 72 members
• GSA is funded through corporate membership dues
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
Global Membership
Asia
10%
Oceania
11%
Europe
14%
Americas
65%
Membership Composition
Affiliates 4
6%
Advisors 5
8%
Operators/Hotel 16
22%
OEM 7
11%
Manufacturers 39
54%
Membership Growth
80
76
70
70
59
Platinum
Silver
40
38
30
35
37
Others
Total
22
20
10
72
Gold
50
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
2007 Board Of Directors
Chair
Vice Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Lyle Bell
Randy Hedrick
Don Karrer
Bob Sobczyk
Jim Morrow
Ken Bossingham
Ramesh Srinivasan
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
Organizational Structure
Membership
• Voting members
– Platinum annual dues $80,250
– Gold
annual dues $32,100
• Non-voting members
– Silver
annual dues $21,400
• Board
–
–
–
–
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
Expenditure Breakdown 2007
Technical
Development
25%
Operational
46%
Grants
19%
Certification
0%
Tradeshow
& Meetings
3%
Marketing
7%
Education & Certification
• GSA sponsored G2S Certified Engineer program with UNLV
–
–
–
–
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 has enhanced its certification program to be International by
adopting an ISO 17025 requirement for recognized Testing Laboratories
Program Schedule 2008
Jan 14
Overview of the G2S Protocol
GSA 010
GSA 110
Jan 15 - 18
Basic Game Play with G2S
GSA 111
Jan 28 – Feb 01 Advanced Topics in G2S
GSA 112
Feb 12
An Executive Briefing on GSA Protocols
GSA 001
Feb 13
An Executive Overview of G2S
GSA 010
Feb 26
An Executive Overview of S2S
GSA 020
Mar 04
An Executive Overview of Transport and Security
GSA 030
GSA 130
Mar 05 - 07
Advanced Transport and Security Protocol
GSA 131
Mar 10
Overview of the G2S Protocol
GSA 010
GSA 110
Mar 11 - 14
Basic Game Play with G2S
GSA 111
Mar 24 - 28
Advanced Topics in G2S
GSA 112
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
2007 Achievements
• Developed a Sunset strategy for SAS
• Demonstrated GSA Standards Interoperability at G2E
• Developed UNLV GSA Certified Engineer Program
• Established liaisons with regulator communities – US, South Africa,
Australia
• Continued to improve standards to support business needs - organized
operator forums and established Operators Advisory Committee
• Established board subcommittees (certification, marketing)
• Continuing development of a world-class certification process
– GSA has enhanced its certification program to be International by adopting
an ISO 17025 requirement for recognized Testing Laboratories
• International committee meetings Europe / Asia
Key 2008 Goals
• S2S Standard Update
– Hire an S2S Technical Director
• Ensure a Single Toolkit for G2S Standard
– Provide a subsidized toolkit to regulators
• Drive international adoption of standards
– Partner with MPI: knowledge transfer, adoption of standards
– Australia, South Africa – adoption of standards
• Continue to support key GSA programs
– Certification
– Education (UNLV)
• Provide Toolkit Subsidy for Governmental agencies
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%)
Industry Update
GSA Technology
A Quick Overview
Standard Development Process
GSA Technology
• S2S – System to System
• G2S – Game to System
• GDS – Gaming Device Standards (8 standards)
• Transport Standard - Point to Point
• Transport Standard - Multi - Cast
Standards Drive Business Value
Gaming Today
Gaming with GSA Standards
Break
GSA Technology
More Details
Russ Ristine
Radical Blue Gaming
GSA’s 3 Protocols
S2S
Coin
Acceptor
GDS
G2S
Configuration
Kiosks
S2S
Coin
Hopper
Point of
Sale
Player Tracking
Note
Acceptor
Game
Control
S2S
Advanced
Slot Accounting
Printer
Coin/Bill
Counters
S2S
Touch
Screen
Progressive
S2S
Class II
Servers
EGM
Host Systems and other S2S devices
Agenda
 GDS – GSA’s Gaming Device Standard
• G2S – GSA’s Game To System Protocol
• Changes to the slot floor network
• S2S – GSA’s System To System Protocol
Gaming Device Standard (GDS)
Protocol
Coin
Acceptor
GDS
Coin
Hopper
Note
Acceptor
Game
Control
Printer
Touch
Screen
EGM to Peripherals protocol
Benefits of GDS
• 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
• This info can then be forwarded to host systems (via G2S)
• Device commands (and code) can be sent from host
systems through the EGM to peripheral devices
Agenda
• GDS – GSA’s Gaming Device Standard
 G2S – GSA’s Game To System Protocol
• Changes to the slot floor network
• S2S – GSA’s System To System Protocol
Game To System (G2S) Protocol
G2S
Code Download
Coin
Acceptor
Player Tracking
Coin
Hopper
Note
Acceptor
Game
Control
Printer
Slot Accounting
Progressives
Touch
Screen
Configuration
EGM
Host Systems
What is G2S?
Current Status
• Protocol definition complete
GSA
develops
BOB
IGT
develops
SuperSAS
• Manufacturers are demonstrating
interoperability
Agree to
merge
protocols
G2S
is born…
The best
of both!
• 3rd Party development and test
tools are available
• Certification program in
development
• UNLV Certified Engineer Program
What Is G2S?
• The gaming industry’s protocol for networked casino floors (Games to
Servers)
• Based on current, proven technology standards: XML, SOAP, Web
Services, etc.
• Expandable from low-speed (EGM and SMIB over a serial link) to very
high-speed communications (EGM to multiple back-end servers over
Ethernet)
• Consists of three independent components:
– G2S Message Standards (The contents of the messages)
– Standards for Transport (XML over TCP/IP using SOAP)
– Standards for Security (SSL - just like the Internet)
Here is what is on the gaming floor
today...
[Looks like hex to me…]
A G2S Meter Request
Host Request
<getMeterInfo>
<getDeviceMeters
deviceClass = "G2S_noteAcceptor"
deviceId = "1” />
</getMeterInfo>
[A little easier to understand]
EGM Response
<meterInfo
meterSubType = "G2S_onDemand"
meterDateTime = "2004-03-07T15:20:27” >
<deviceMeters
deviceClass = "G2S_noteAcceptor"
deviceId = "1" />
<simpleMeter
meterName = "G2S_currencyInAmt"
meterValue = ”14000000" />
<simpleMeter
meterName = "G2S_currencyInCnt"
meterValue = "14" />
<simpleMeter
meterName = "G2S_currencyToDropAmt"
meterValue = ”14000000" />
<simpleMeter
meterName = "G2S_currencyToDropCnt"
meterValue = "14" />
<simpleMeter
meterName = "G2S_dropDoorOpenCnt"
meterValue = "2" />
</meterInfo>
Why do we need a new protocol?
• Current protocols are fine for EGM to SMIB communications
• Challenge is expanding beyond current model
• EGM Configuration and Code download are coming
• Can expand by adding additional wiring to your floor
• New features must work with your existing system
• It would be nice if all games and systems spoke the same language in
this new world
G2S Promotes Innovation
• Each EGM has a list of legitimate hosts and can talk to multiple servers
• Event and Meter subscriptions allow any host to subscribe to the
specific information they need
• Operators can “try out” new products to see if they like them
• All communications use web services – same as on the Internet (XML,
SOAP, TCP/IP, SSL)
Slot Analysis Benefit
• Which themes / paytables are most popular?
• Which denominations are most popular when?
• Make changes remotely, then use this data for impact analysis
• gamePlay device meters include all performance meters by
theme/paytable combination
• Class meters accumulate the totals for the EGM
Marketing benefits
• Direct access to slot performance data
• Direct messaging to players
• Interval ratings by time and game change
• Complete countdown and bonus point support
• Subscriptions enable real-time access to EGM events for any server
Remote Configuration
• Make changes from your desk or via a schedule (no more trips to every
EGM)
• Access most parameters you now configure via the operator screens in
the EGM
• Use software that is already on the casino floor, or will be available as
an upgrade to most EGMs
• G2S can now configure gamePlay, cabinet, note acceptors; and enable
vouchers, progressives, bonus, WAT, and player functions
G2S Certification
• The G2S Certification program is designed to minimize interoperability
problems
• With Certification testing, there is only one correct interpretation of the
protocol for all EGMs and Systems
• Feedback loop from Operators will ensure the Certification program
remains viable (and relevant)
Agenda
• GDS – GSA’s Gaming Device Standard
• G2S – GSA’s Game To System Protocol
 Changes to the slot floor network
• S2S – GSA’s System To System Protocol
Slot Floor Network - Today
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
Adding a New Network
FTP
Ethernet
Download
Server
TCP/IP
G2S
EGM
Configuration
Management
Proprietary
Protocol
SAS
SMIB
Slot Floor
Management
Server
(S2S fixes this mess)
[SMIB resides in the
EGM Cabinet ]
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
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
Historic Approach to Adding Functionality
Slot Floor System
Vouchers
Config
Download
G2S (Web Services) Approach
Progressive
System
Bonus
System
Player
Tracking
System
Cashless
Wagering
System
EGM Configuration
Application
Accounting
System
G2S
Ethernet
G2S
SAS
SMIB
Advantages of the G2S model
• To implement a new feature
–
–
–
–
Plug in new server
Configure a group of EGMs
Try out the new feature
Get rid of it if you hate it
• G2S is designed so every functional group could be owned by a separate
server
• G2S Protocol already accommodates new features
– Configuration
– A rich Accounting Model
– All Messaging required to implement the feature
Challenges of the new model
• Need new infrastructure (100Mbps to every EGM)
• Staff must transition from slot machine mechanics to network
configuration and management
• Slots + IT = Success
• Don’t go cheap - like a computer, your network can’t be too fast
• Can implement gradually, but your slot floor management system must
get on board soon...
G2S Summary
• EGMs will be able to talk to multiple servers
• More accurate info from every game
• Changes made in one place, distributed to all EGMs
• Try before you buy
• Many new innovators will be able to enter this space
• Much more efficient casino slot operations
• Much better use of resources
Agenda
• GDS – GSA’s Gaming Device Standard
• G2S – GSA’s Game To System Protocol
• Changes to the slot floor network
 S2S – GSA’s System To System Protocol
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
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
What is S2S?
• Operators asked GSA to take on the standardization of inter-system
messages
• S2S is that standardization, using Internet technologies (TCP/IP, XML,
Ethernet, SOAP, SSL)
• Created by system developers and operators
• S2S messages considered systems that were built or used by all
participants
What’s the benefit?
• As each function is implemented by system vendors, it becomes “open”
• Over time, S2S will reduce the number of protocols needed by systems
and peripherals
• Certification will ensure that protocol implementations are done correctly
• In time, operators will be able to add a GSA certified system to their
network, and it will effortlessly interact with other systems
Plug and Play Benefits
• Systems move from proprietary solutions to standard communications
• Vendors spend less time maintaining protocols
• Easier to test a single protocol
• Operator doesn’t have to wait for their version to get modified
• Easy to try a new peripheral (kiosk, currency counter, POS system)
GSA’s 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
However…
• Even with S2S we have differing implementations
• Seminoles was sort of S2S 1.1.5
• Choctaws – S2S 1.10 with non-std transport + extra
classes
• Chickasaws – S2S 1.2 but developing in a vacuum (uhoh!)
• Why is this occurring?
Solutions
Eliminating non-standard implementations
• Doing it right must become the only way
• Standard reference implementations for S2S
• Certification program is needed
• Achieving certification must have value
• Operators MUST insist on certification
Next Steps
Next Steps
• Knowledge Transfer
– UNLV
– GSA to MPI
• Educate students / local industry
• GSA Office
– Representatives work together with GSA
– Answering service that forward information to GSA