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Gaming Standards Association
Moving Gaming into the Future!
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
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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
Our Platinum Members
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
Global Membership
Australasia
10%
Japan
9%
Europe
19%
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
N. America
62%
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
Membership Composition
Affiliates
6%
Advisors
10%
Operators/Hotel
19%
OEM
17%
Manufacturers
48%
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
Where is Gaming Headed?
Where is EGM Hardware Going?
Now
Soon
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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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
OIGA Annual Convention 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.
Messaging accomplishes everything from SAS +
whatever else we could think of
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!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
Here is what is on the gaming floor today...
[Looks like hex to me…]
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
OIGA Annual Convention 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>
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
Historic Approach to Adding Functionality
Slot Floor System
Vouchers
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Bonusing
Player Media Server
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
G2S (Web Services) Approach
Slot Floor System
Config Server
Vouchers
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Bonusing
Regulatory
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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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
Benefits of S2S
Standardizes communication between servers
S2S is developed with GDS and G2S, so
communication with a note acceptor is available to a
back-end server
Standard server protocols opens up new solutions
(Class II)
Supports “plug and play” for systems and peripheral
devices
Standardization promotes portability, interoperability
and reusability
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
Plug and Play Goal for Systems
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)
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
The Class II Story
GSA Moving at the Speed of Business
Historic Class II Model
LABTRONIX
CORY
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MULTIMEDIA
ROCKET
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S2S and Class II
In a Class II environment, each manufacturer has
their own server for central determination and other
game functions
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…)
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
Seminole Tribe - Vision
System X
Vendor A
Vendor B
Vendor B
Vendor A
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Vendor C
Vendor C
Vendor D
Vendor D
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
Seminole Tribe - Today
Accounting
Player tracking
Vouchers
System X
GSA S2S
Game Servers
System A
System B
Vendor A
System C
Vendor B
Vendor A
Vendor B
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Vendor C
Vendor C
System D
Vendor D
Vendor D
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
S2S and Class II - the solution
EGMs still talk proprietary protocol to their host
servers to minimize scope of change
Each host server now talks S2S to a central
consolidation server, which provides
One accounting report
All vouchers are processed through a central database
All systems communicate using common protocols
Happier casino management!
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
Looking Forward - A G2S Solution
EGMs talk to their host server for game outcome
(proprietary or G2S)
EGMs talk directly to central server for accounting
and vouchers (G2S)
EGMs talk directly to player tracking system for
player activity (G2S)
S2S or G2S doesn’t matter as long as the pain is gone
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
S2S / G2S Solution
Central Accounting
Vendor A
Vouchers
Vendor B
Central Determination Player Tracking
Vendor B
Vendor A
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
Vendor C
Vendor C
Vendor D
Vendor D
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
New Solutions for Old
Problems
Remote Monitoring (S2S)
GSA’s S2S Protocol
Remote Server
GSA’s G2S Protocol
Wide
Area
Network
Remote Server uses S2S
protocol to receive accounting
meters and events forwarded
by in-house server
In-house Servers
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006
Remote Monitoring (G2S)
Remote Server
GSA’s G2S Protocol
Wide
Area
Network
Remote Server with real-time
subscription to events and
accounting meters can receive
information directly from EGM
In-house Servers
2006 - The Year of Implementation and Value Creation!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 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!
OIGA Annual Convention 2006