Operators Forum August 22, 2007

Name: Operators Forum August 22, 2007
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Description: Operators Forum August 22, 2007

Operators Forum August 22, 2007
GSA OPERATOR’S FORUM August 22, 2007 1

Agenda Opening Remarks / GSA Overview (9:00 am) Don Karrer, Penn National Gaming The Power of GSA Standards (9:10 am) Vendor Product Release Schedule (10:15 am) Peter DeRaedt, GSA President Break (10:30 am) Preparing for the Implementation Process (10:45 am) Lyle Bell, Seminole Gaming Moti Vyas, Viejas Enterprises Manufacturer’s Roundtable and Lunch (12:00 pm) Manufacturer’s Representatives 2

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 - Macao Polytechnic Institute - Multi-State Lottery Association - UNLV How many members do we have? - A total of members = 71 13 Platinum, 20 Gold, 29 Silver 5 Advisory, 4 Affiliate 3

Who are we? 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. Values - 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 4

Global Membership

Membership Composition

Education Donated funds to UNLV Foundation to establish a GSA Certified Engineering Program - International Gaming Institute & School of Informatics at the UNLV - Two GSA Affiliate Professors of Gaming Technology Collaboration with Macau Polytechnic Institute Course focus: XML & Web services, Game Play, Configuration & Player Management Certification Levels: - G2S Intern (G2S-I), G2S Certified Engineer (G2S-E), - GSA Certified Engineer (GSA-E) 7

Why are we holding an Operator’s Forum?
Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Why are we holding an Operator’s Forum? To educate our members and member prospects on the existing capabilities and unlimited potential of the protocols To share implementation experience of early adopters To discuss G2S migration strategy To announce the formation of a GSA Operator’s Advisory Committee consisting of some of the leading gaming operators Ensure alignment between the operator and manufacturer communities 8

The Power of GSA Standards 9

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Topics Introduction to the protocols Review current capabilities Determine future requirements 10

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 GSA Protocols Introduction to the GSA Protocols G2S - Game to System S2S - System to System GDS - Gaming Device Standard 11

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Intro to 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 S2S can be used to connect virtually any server to any other server. The current uses in class 2 are to connect EGM central systems to a central accounting system. Prior S2S, class 2 operations either used a single manufacturer’s games or dealt with the consequences of a voucher being issued by one manufacturers games not being redeemable by any other manufacturer’s games. Both protocols are event driven – they don’t do anything until something happens on the game, or a host needs specific information and asks for it. 12

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Intro to 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 class functions represent a business need (such as vouchers or handpay) Some represent a protocol function (such as Communications, or registerClient) 13

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Intro to the Protocols All Classes have at least one Host Owner host - the computer/Server that owns and is responsible for managing a 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 14

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Intro to 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 application / 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 This is one of the most interesting features of the protocol. The G2S event handler is more usable than the S2S as it has more events that occur. Guest hosts can be placed on the gaming network to provide an operator with a means to be notified on any events that concern him/her at the time. 15

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Intro to 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…) The transport also handles the DHCP – assigning IP addresses to the games on the floor. There are actually two transports – the point to point transport that is referenced in the slide. This transport sends a message from a specific host to a specific client –point to point. It has the advantage of guarenteed delivery – the client specifically acknowledges the receipt of the message sent. The second type of transport is a multicast transport. This transport is used for a single host to simultaneously send a message to multiple clients. The disadvantage is that the delivery of the message is best effort. Delivery is not guaranteed. The Multicast transport can be used to update progressive signs 16

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Intro to the Protocols GDS – Gaming Device Standard Internal to 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) 17

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 GSA Protocols Current Capabilities What can they do today? 19

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Current Capabilities Real-time or Scheduled 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 20

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Current Capabilities Central management of EGMs Major benefits: Allows for theme, denomination and pay table changes Denomination changes on slot machines are now as easy as denomination changes on table games Changes to any G2S enabled EGM can be made from a central server, independent of the EGM manufacturer This is the function that was demonstrated in the GSA booth at the G2E show. This feature is incredibly powerful as it provides 80% fo the capabilities of Downloading software with 20 % of the hassle. This si much easier to get regulatory approval for, is easier to put in place on the floor and has been proven to work with more than one vendor. This basically chooses between software options already loaded on the EGM. 21

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 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 There are 5 “Hot Player” levels; event indicates card number when one is present The real advantage of G2S and S2S is access to all the data on the casino floor. You can get to all of it, anytime. 22

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Current Capabilities Improved access to machine meter information Can be sent 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 they need 23

Current Capabilities Player tracking integration
Player tracking functionality is fully integrated into the protocol Player peripherals can be on the EGM or on the SMIB Prevents loss of partial ratings Any G2S host can find out information about players of the game

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

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 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 26

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 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 ($5, $50, etc.) 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 27

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 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 28

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 GSA Protocols Future Requirements What Do You Want Next? Here are a few ideas for consideration… 29

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Future Requirements What additional capabilities do you need to… Enhance your patron experience? Enhance your ability to reach your players? Gather information required to make your business more successful? Both the S2S and G2S are releasing new versions and are looking for ideas to incorporate in the March 08 versions. Having input from the operators ensures that the operators will get the functions they need. 30

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Future Requirements Employee class (S2S, G2S) Provide performance information Total resolution time for machine related issues, such as; tilts, hand pays, jackpots, etc. Automate the “meal book” Automate the tracking of mechanic’s play activity at each EGM Point Of Sale class (S2S) Issue a comp for food or beverage directly to the outlet Purchase show tickets with points 31

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Future Requirements Entertainment class (G2S, S2S) Make restaurant and show reservations Enter sweepstakes / promotions from the EGM Apply sweepstakes / promotional winnings to the EGM as non-cashable credits Call for your car from valet Reserve a table game from the EGM Receive notification when your car or your table is ready 32

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Future Requirements Shopping class (S2S) Use player points to make purchases in retail outlets Use retail purchases to accumulate player points Smart Card class (G2S, S2S) Card can be loaded with personal information such a as game preferences, play history, comp level, birthday, etc. Information can be available and updated every time the card is inserted or removed 33

Future Requirements Estimated Completion Timeline example for adding a new class or feature set - 6 – 12 months for protocol enhancements - 6 – 18 months for manufacturer EGM and Systems implementation after the features have been incorporated into the protocol months for regulatory approval - Overall estimated time frame; 15 to 36 months - The above example assumes the operators and manufacturers priorities are in alignment and have worked together on requesting regulatory approvals We need more operators to actively participate in driving innovation as opposed to waiting for others to make it happen

GSA Protocols Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Future Requirements Now think about 3 years from now, what capabilities will be required relative to Player tracking Table Games Multi-player games Others? What new types of devices will be connected to the EGM? What new technologies will you be attempting to loosely/tightly integrate into the EGM? What new businesses will you be building? Both the S2S and G2S are releasing new versions and are looking for ideas to incorporate in the March 08 versions. Having input from the operators ensures that the operators will get the functions they need. 35

GSA Protocols Future Requirements There is no limit to what can be accomplished using GSA standards Both the S2S and G2S are releasing new versions and are looking for ideas to incorporate in the March 08 versions. Having input from the operators ensures that the operators will get the functions they need. We need to start thinking outside the box! 36

Vendor Product Release Schedule

How to achieve Interoperability
How do we know that vendors have all correctly implemented the standards? Validation through GSA’s Certification program Standard Version implementation Aiming towards G2E interoperability demonstration for minimum agreed upon functionality

GSA Standards Implementation
Operators Forum August 22, 2007 GSA Standards Implementation What does it mean to the Operator? What does it take to prepare? 40 40

A few Cold Hard Facts Every manufacturer is aggressively implementing G2S in its games SAS funeral is 1/1/11 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 41 41

Cost Justification GSA has commissioned a case study to assist in justifying the investment to senior management Costs/Benefits aside, the change is inevitable History repeats itself Bill Acceptors Ticket-In Ticket-Out 42 42

Major Migration Issues
Operators Forum August 22, 2007 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 (a Bell Supposition, completely unsupported by substantiated facts but consistent with past industry experience in major new innovation) Impossible to make overnight conversion from Legacy to new G2S-based floor system. Time frame is multi-month to multi-year 43 43

Major Migration Issues (continued)
Operators Forum August 22, 2007 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 44 44

Migration Strategies Option 1
Operators Forum August 22, 2007 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 45 45

Operators Forum August 22, 2007 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 46 46

Operators Forum August 22, 2007 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 47 47

Migration Methodology
Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Migration Methodology GTM SAS-to-G2S SMIB Legacy Floor S2S Gateway Player Tracking Ticketing Accounting S2S Protocol SAS Proprietary Protocol G2S Floor Network G2S Games Legacy Systems 48

Organization Impact From New GSA Protocol Capabilities
49

Traditional Silos GM Marketing Slot Operations IT 50

Overlapping Responsibilities
Marketing IT Promo Setup & Control Promo Execution GM Slot Operations Keep Floor Alive 51

Network Dependency Operating the Network is like flying an airplane
99% Boredom 1% Sheer Terror “When the crew received the instruction, the main landing gear was on the ground. According to the crew statement, they noted the urgency in the controller's voice so they knew they had to get the aircraft airborne. FAA reported DAL1489 flew over UAL1544 by less than 100 feet.” Source: NTSB report Fort Lauderdale near miss 7/11/07 (Lucky Day) 52

Inter Property Wide Area Network
53

Intra Property VLANS’s
54

Intra Property Physical Infrastructure
55

Everybody’s Best Friend! …Network Nerd
56

Key Success Factors for Migration
Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Key Success Factors for Migration Network Planning, with Network owned and operated by the Operator IT Staff who understand urgency of slot floor problems and Slot Operations Staff who can work with IT Staff Mutual trust, respect, and confidence Leave egos at the door IT Staff who are not service-oriented and “Slot Mechanics” are obsolete Detailed migration plan developed with vendor support but owned by the Operator Insist on GSA certifications - - not negotiable, no variations from the standard Operator-owned testing facilities Stress Management skills GSA 2007 Operator's Forum 57

Manufacturer’s Roundtable Discussion And Lunch 58

Interoperability of GSA Standards
Operators Forum August 22, 2007 Interoperability of GSA Standards Aristocrat Technologies Jim Morrow and Jamal Azzam Atronic Americas Graham Falvey and Ken Bossingham Bally Technologies Bruce Rowe and Walt Eisele Cyberview Technologies Thierry Brunet and David Kern IGT Rich Schneider WMS Gaming Rob Siemasko 59

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