GSA Overview to GREF January 2006

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GSA Overview to GREF January 2006
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Agenda

• What is GSA?
• Future Technology Realities in Our Industry
• GSAs three standards GDS, G2S, and S2S
• GSA Certification
• General Q A

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What is GSA - Our 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.

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Our Platinum Members
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Companies supporting GSA Standards

• 3M Touch Systems
• AGMMA
• Alliance Gaming Systems
• American Gaming Systems
• Aristocrat Technologies
• Aruze Gaming America
• Atronic Americas
• Atronic Systems
• Bally Gaming and Systems
• Belatra
• BMM
• CashCode Company
• Dakota Gaming Nation
• Detroit Entertainment
• E-Genting Holdings
• Euro Games Technology
• Flint K
• Foxwoods Resorts
• FutureLogic

• Global Payment Technology
• Harrahs Entertainment
• Himecs Co
• Holland Casinos
• HTNG
• IGT
• Intralot
• JCM
• Konami Gaming
• Mars Electronics
• Money Controls
• Multimedia Games
• MSLA
• Nick Farley Associates
• Nidec Sankyo
• OLGC
• Penn National Gaming
• Progressive Gaming
• R Franco

• Seminole Tribe of Florida
• (Hardrock)
• ShuffleMaster
• Standing Stone Gaming
• Summit Amusement
• Transact Technologies
• Unidesa Gaming and Systems
• UNLV
• Video Gaming Technology
• Viejas Casino
• WMS Gaming

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Global Membership
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Membership Composition
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Organization
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Member Commitment

• Members continue to support GSA to date 8.2M
  in cash and 35M in additional resources
• Developed 3 core communication protocol
  standards - new classes continue to be developed
• Developed tools for implementation

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Association Milestones

• 1998 - Gaming Manufacturers Association (GAMMA)
  incorporated
• 2000 - Operators invited to join the organization
• 2000 - GAMMA becomes GSA - Gaming Standards
  Association
• 2002 - Regulatory Advisory Committee formed
• 2004 - Formal standards are released for GDS,
  BOB, and S2S
• 2004 - BOB and GDS simulators are developed
• 2005 - Formal implementation training program for
  developers

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Achievements 2005

• BOB Under the Hood Formal implementation
  training program for developers
• GSA Road Show Operator, Manufacturer and
  Regulator updates held throughout the world
• S2S installations operational in Alabama, Florida
  and Oklahoma
• GSA releases BOB V1.1 and S2S V1.1 standards
• GSA releases GDS toolkit
• GSA releases BOB V1.1 Host and EGM Simulators
• GSA establishes the Architectural Oversight
  Committee
• GSA establishes a separate Transport Committee
• GSA makes its standards open and available to the
  world
• BOB virtual machine project first
  inter-company initiative led by Bally
• GSA and IGT join forces and target G2S (BOB/SSAS
  integration) by Q1/2006

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Future Technology Realities in the Gaming Industry
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Future Technology Realities
FROM TO
Proprietary machine design Many hardware platforms Many proprietary operating systems No backward compatibility Non-standard peripherals Few content providers Physical distribution of game content Machine software personality manually installed, causing incorrect configuration of games PC-like slot machines Fewer hardware platforms Fewer standard operating systems Backward compatibility Standard peripheral command sets and protocols, allowing for interchangeability Many content providers Centralized distribution of game content via intranet Machine hardware and software personality broadcast from the system automatically
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Future Technology Realities
FROM TO
Slot machines are single purpose Game centric Numerous proprietary communication protocols Multiple wired network connections Simple methods of employee and player identification Difficult to interface disparate systems Transaction content not fully available Slot machines will become multi-function Network centric Computer industry standard communication protocols Single wire/wireless network connections Biometrics Standards allow for simple plug and play addition of various systems All transaction information made available to operators and regulators
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GSAs Three Standards
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Gaming Device Standard (GDS) Protocol
CoinAcceptor
GDS
CoinHopper
GameControl
NoteAcceptor
Printer
TouchScreen
EGM to Peripherals protocol
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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
• Coupled with BOB, 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

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Game To System (G2S) Protocol
Vouchers
G2S
CoinAcceptor
Player Tracking
CoinHopper
GameControl
Slot Accounting
NoteAcceptor
Printer
Progressives
TouchScreen
Wagering Accounts
EGM
Host Systems
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What Is G2S?

• The industrys protocol for the networked casino
  floor environment
• Communications between EGMs and back-end servers
• Based on current, proven technology standards
  XML, SOAP, Web Services, etc.
• Expandable from low-speed (G2S messages between
  an 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
• G2S Transport Standards
• G2S Configuration Standards

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The Merging of Two Protocols

• IGT creates SuperSAS, GSA develops BOB
• September 2005 - IGT rejoins GSA
• IGT and GSA agree to merge their two protocols
• Result is Best of Both Game To System (G2S)
• Analysis is complete
• Core Class documents are being developed
• Development Tools will follow shortly

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Here is what is on the gaming floor today...
Looks like hex to me
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A G2S Meter Request
A little easier to understand
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System to System (S2S) Protocol
S2S
Voucher Manager
Kiosks
CoinAcceptor
S2S
Player Tracking
CoinHopper
Point ofSale
GameControl
S2S
NoteAcceptor
Slot Accounting
Coin/BillCounters
Printer
S2S
TouchScreen
Class IIServers
Progressive
S2S
EGM
Host Systems and other S2S devices
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Benefits of S2S

• Standardizes communication between servers and
  devices
• With S2S, G2S, and GDS, note acceptor info is
  available to a back end server
• Standard server protocols open up new solutions
• Supports plug and play for systems and
  peripheral devices
• Interfacing - all components speak the same
  language
• Integrating - Custom solutions are developed for
  each new conversation
• Standardization promotes portability,
  interoperability and reusability

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GSA Certification
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GSA Certification

• GSA compliance independent testing by 3rd party
  lab using GSA tools and pre-defined test scripts
• GSA Compliance testing is NOT Regulatory Approval
• All parties benefit through
• Improved speed to market for products
• Products work together when they show up on your
  floor
• Plug and Play (easier installs, reduced service
  calls)
• Protocol certification streamlines the regulatory
  process
• Reduces the quantity and variety of tests that
  must be performed
• If both devices are certified, they should work
  together the first time they are connected (like
  your PC and printer)

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GSAs New Certification Program

• Goal Correct and consistent implementation of
  GSAs standards
• Formal process for the testing and certification
  of
• Gaming Industry Products
• Certified Testing Agencies
• Certified Test Suites
• Interoperability Centers will be available for
  manufacturers
• Third Party Testing Authority will certify Test
  Suites and Testing Agencies
• Products passing certification will be published
  in the Certification Register on GSAs web site

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What Regulators Said

• Standards would improve the time for regulatory
  approval of devices and/or software
• Agree 93
• Are regulators in favor of the move towards
  standardization in the gaming industry
• Agree 90
• Standardization of Metering functions would help
  regulators
• Agree 86
• Creating standards for gaming technology would
  make training regulators easier
• Agree 93
• Common features among manufacturers would
  simplify testing and approval
• Agree 90
• Centralized verification of games and peripherals
  would make regulation easier
• Agree 85

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Benefits for Regulators

• 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

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Moving Forward

• In November 2005, the Australian Gaming Machine
  Manufacturers Association (AGMMA) recommended
  GSAs G2S as the Protocol Standard for New South
  Wales, Australia
• January 2006 - GSAs Regulatory Advisory
  Committee was redefined to provide a high quality
  communication channel for regulators.
• For on-going regulatory questions or inquires on
  protocols, please contact info_at_gamingstandards.co
  m

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Q A