Transcript No Slide Title

Good Things Happen When We All Pull Together
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Are Your Slots Incommunicado?
Introducing GSA’s New Protocols
Presented by Russ Ristine
Vice President, Radical Blue Gaming, Inc.
Who is this guy, anyway?
 25 years gaming systems development
 Developed Casino Management System in NJ
 Support for Bally SDS in NJ
 Head of Systems Development for Bally
 Designed GSA’s BOB Simulators
 Facilitated merger of BOB and SuperSAS
 Gaming Consultant to GSA
 Now building development and test tools for GSA’s
new protocols (RadBlue)
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Agenda
 What is GSA?
 A Glimpse of Where Gaming is Going...
 GSA’s three standards: GDS, G2S, and S2S
 GSA Protocol Certification
 New Solutions for Old Problems
 General Q & A
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
What is GSA?
The Gaming Standards Association (GSA) is an
international trade association that benefits gaming
manufacturers, suppliers, operators, and regulators.
GSA facilitates the identification, definition,
development, promotion, and implementation of open
standards to enable innovation, education, and
communication for the benefit of the entire industry.
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Our Platinum Members
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Global Membership
Australasia
10%
Japan
9%
Europe
19%
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
N. America
62%
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Membership Composition
Affiliates
6%
Advisors
10%
Operators/Hotel
19%
OEM
17%
Manufacturers
48%
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
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
2005 - IGT and GSA join forces to create G2S (SSAS + BOB)
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Where is Gaming Headed?
Where is EGM Hardware Going?
 Single Purpose Slot
Machines
 Multi-function Slot Machines
 Proprietary machine design
 PC-like slot machines
 Many hardware platforms
 Fewer hardware platforms
 Non-standard peripherals
 Standard peripheral
command sets and
protocols, allowing for
interchangeability
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
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
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Changes in Communicating Information
 Game centric
 Multiple wired network
connections
 Some transaction content
can be accessed through
proprietary systems
 Network centric
 Single wire/wireless
network connections
 All transaction information is
available to operators and
regulators direct from EGM
 Difficult to interface
disparate systems
 Standards allow for
simple“plug and play”
addition of various systems
 Plug and Play is easy to
undo
 Hard to undo changes
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
GSA’s Three Standards
Why Have Standardization?
 Standardized power plugs
 Standard screw sizes
 USB standardization - lots of new gadgets for PCs
 Plug and Play standards for PCs
 Your e-mail client can read e-mails from others
 Your browser can connect to any web-site
 DVDs, CDs, etc. made by anyone can be read by
anyone else.
Standardization eliminates pain...
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Gaming Device Standard (GDS) Protocol
Coin
Acceptor
GDS
Coin
Hopper
Note
Acceptor
Game
Control
Printer
Touch
Screen
EGM to Peripherals protocol
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
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
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Game To System (G2S) Protocol
G2S
Vouchers
Coin
Acceptor
Player Tracking
Coin
Hopper
Note
Acceptor
Game
Control
Printer
Slot Accounting
Progressives
Touch
Screen
Wagering
Accounts
EGM
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Host Systems
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
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)
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Here is what is on the gaming floor today...
[Looks like hex to me…]
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
A G2S Meter Request
Host Request
EGM Response
<meterInfo
<getMeterInfo>
<getDeviceMeters
deviceClass = "G2S_noteAcceptor"
deviceId = "1” />
</getMeterInfo>
[A little easier to understand]
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
meterSubType = "G2S_onDemand"
meterDateTime = "2004-03-07T15:20:27” >
<deviceMeters
deviceClass = "G2S_noteAcceptor"
deviceId = "1" />
<simpleMeter
meterName = "G2S_currencyInAmt"
meterValue = ”14000" />
<simpleMeter
meterName = "G2S_currencyInCnt"
meterValue = "14" />
<simpleMeter
meterName = "G2S_currencyToDropAmt"
meterValue = ”14000" />
<simpleMeter
meterName = "G2S_currencyToDropCnt"
meterValue = "14" />
<simpleMeter
meterName = "G2S_dropDoorOpenCnt"
meterValue = "2" />
</meterInfo>
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
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
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Historic Approach to Adding Functionality
Slot Floor System
Vouchers
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Bonusing
Player Media Server
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Challenges of the Historic Model
 New wiring infrastructure for each new feature
 Lots of new gear needed between host and EGM
 How many network ports does each EGM have?
 Often new features don’t integrate with existing slot
accounting system
 Challenges with getting everything working together
 Adding a new feature is like building a solution from
scratch
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
G2S (Web Services) Approach
Slot Floor System
Config Server
Vouchers
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Bonusing
Regulatory
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
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
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
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...
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
System to System (S2S) Protocol
S2S
Voucher Manager
Coin
Acceptor
Kiosks
S2S
Coin
Hopper
Point of
Sale
Player Tracking
Note
Acceptor
Game
Control
S2S
Coin/Bill
Counters
Slot Accounting
Printer
S2S
Touch
Screen
Progressive
S2S
Class II
Servers
EGM
Host Systems and other S2S devices
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
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
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
GSA Certification
GSA Certification
 GSA compliance – independent testing by 3rd party
lab using GSA certified 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)
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
GSA Certification
 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)
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
GSA’s New Certification Program
 Goal = Correct and consistent implementation of
GSA’s standards
 Formal process for the testing and certification of
 Gaming Products
 Testing Agencies
 Test Suites
 Products passing certification will be published in
the Certification Register on GSA’s web site
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Testing Centers
 Interoperability Centers will be available for
manufacturers
 Third Party Testing Authority will certify Test Suites
and Testing Agencies
 Test Suites will be commercially available to anyone
 Like UL testing, GSA testing can be done in any
certified Test Agency
 Test Labs
 Casinos
 Manufacturers
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
New Solutions for Old
Problems
Remote Regulatory Monitoring (S2S)
GSA’s S2S Protocol
Regulatory
GSA’s G2S Protocol
Internet
Remote Regulatory Server uses
S2S protocol to receive
accounting meters and events
through in-house server
In-house Servers
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Remote Regulatory Monitoring (G2S)
Regulatory
GSA’s G2S Protocol
Internet
Remote Regulatory Server with
real-time subscription to
events and EOD accounting
meter subscription - receive
info direct from EGM
In-house Servers
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
New Player Features
Bonus Programs
In-house Player Promotion
Current - Replace existing
server with a new system
Current - No access to the
data stream from the EGMs
or SMIBs - need to get
vendor to extend their
software.
New - Bring in a new server
and try the new features
with your players
New - Contract with third
party, or innovate in-house;
configure a test group of
games and try it out.
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Detailed Game Performance Info
Current
 Most systems do cabinet level performance
numbers
 To get performance breakdowns for each game in
cabinet - must manually read the game meters
New
 G2S has detailed performance information for every
game in the cabinet
 If existing system won’t extend, can buy (or build) a
performance analysis system that gives all detail
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Try out a new game
Current
 Bring in a new model on trial
 Meter readings to see which games players prefer
 Buy more if they seem popular; if short term
attraction, then you have “extra” EGMs
New
 Install new code on a few compatible EGMs
 Yield Management - periodic meter reports to
determine success
 Expand to additional EGMs as desired
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
New Note, bug in code, etc.
Current
 Must go to every EGM to install new code
 Configuration changes are tracked manually,
implemented on every EGM
New
 New note - download new code via G2S, validated
by EGM, passes to Note Acceptor via GDS
 Configuration change - make the change in the
configuration server, automatically pushed to every
EGM
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
Conclusion
 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
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006
The Ending Note
 For on-going questions or inquires on protocols,
please contact
[email protected]
 This presentation is available on GSA’s Website:
www.gamingstandards.com
[Now is the perfect time for questions and comments]
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Caribbean Gaming Conference 2006