GSA OPERATOR’S FORUM August 22, 2007

GSA GSA

OPERATOR’S FORUMOPERATOR’S FORUM

August 22, 2007August 22, 2007

www.gamingstandards.com

http://www.gamingstandards.com/

Agenda

• Opening Remarks / GSA Overview (9:00 am)– Don Karrer, Penn National Gaming

• The Power of GSA Standards (9:10 am) – Don Karrer, Penn National Gaming

• 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

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 Silver5 Advisory, 4 Affiliate

• 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

Who are we?

Global Membership

Asia8%

Europe14%

Oceania11%

Americas67%

Membership Composition

Operators/Hotel 16 23%

Manufacturers 40 56%

Advisors 5 8%

Affiliates 4 6%

OEM 7 11%

• 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)

Education

• 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

Why are we holding an Operator’s Forum?

The Power of The Power of

GSA StandardsGSA Standards

Topics

• Introduction to the protocols

• Review current capabilities

• Determine future requirements

GSA Protocols

Introduction to the GSA Protocols

• G2S - Game to System

• S2S - System to System

• GDS - Gaming Device Standard

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


• 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)


• 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


• 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


• 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…)


• 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)

GSA Protocols

Current Capabilities

What can they do today?


• Real-time or Scheduled Software Download to EGMsMajor 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


• 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


• Provide 3rd party application access to floor dataMajor 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


• Improved access to machine meter informationCan 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


• 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


• 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


• 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


• 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


• 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

GSA Protocols

Future Requirements

What Do You Want Next?

Here are a few ideas for consideration…

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?

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

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

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

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 - 3 - 6 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

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?

Future Requirements

There is no limit to what can be accomplished using

GSA standards

We need to start thinking outside the box!

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

What does it mean to the Operator?

What does it take to prepare?

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

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

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

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

Migration StrategiesOption 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


• 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


• 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

Migration Methodology

GTMGTMSAS-to-G2S SMIB

GTMGTMLegacy Floor

S2SGateway

PlayerTracking

Ticketing Accounting

S2S Protocol

SAS SAS

Proprietary Protocol

GTM

G2SFloor Network

GTMG2S Games

G2S G2S

S2S Protocol

G2S

S2SGateway

S2SGateway

S2SGateway

Legacy Systems

Organization Impact From New GSA Protocol Capabilities

Traditional Silos

Overlapping Responsibilities

Promo Setup & Control

Promo Execution

Keep Floor Alive

GM

Slot Operations

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)

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Page 1

STOF

MPLSNetwork

OSPF Area 0

Coconut Creek Casino5550 NW 40th St.

Coconut Creek

Immokalee Casino506 S 1st St.Immokalee

Brighton Casino17735 NE Reservation Rd,

Okeechobee

Hollywood Classic Casino4150 N. State Rd. 7

Hollywood

Coconut Creek Casino6601 Lyons Rd.Coconut Creek

Hard Rock HQ / World Ford3101 N State Rd 7

Hollywood

Seminole Tribal HQ6300 Stirling Rd

Hollywood

MCIUUNET / IPNETWORK

Tampa Casino5223 Orient Rd, Tampa

Hollywood Hard Rock1 Seminiole WayFort Lauderdale

Construction Trailer1 Seminole Way

Point-To-PointT1 Private Line



Inter Property Wide Area Network

Vlan 5210.27.52.0/24SDG Switches

Vlan 1710.27.17.0/24

BackBone

Vlan 5310.27.53.0/24InfoGenesis

Vlan 3310.27.33.0/24General Office

Users

VLAN6210.27.62.x/23Conference

Rooms

2650 Routerx.x.x.x

Vlan 20110.201.0.0/16

SDG Net

VLAN 4310.27.43.0/24MICS OLAP

Vlan 2010.27.20.0/24

Servers

Vlan 1910.27.19.0/24

Network Management

VLANXXx.x.x.x

Outside

Vlan 3210.27.32.0/24Accounting/

Execs

Vlan 2410.27.24.0/24

Printers

VLAN 4210.27.42.0/24

RT860

VLAN 4110.27.41.0/24

MICS

VLAN 3310.27.33.0/24Office VLAN

VLAN 4010.27.40.0/24

MVS VLan

Vlan 6410.27.64.0/20Hotel Rooms

Internet

Cisco PIX

Frame Relay to TribeNet

Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel

Hollywood

PIX 525

2650 Routerx.x.x.x

Cat 6513 MSFC

2610 Rtr

Cat 6513 MSFC

2610 Router

Appendix 2: Logical Layout

Intra Property VLANS’s

Catalyst 2948G

Catalyst 2948G

JazzGuest Comm

Mtg Rm Comm

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Network Topology

Internet

Cisco 7200

Cisco VPN-3000

6 Cisco 2650 routers

Casino

IDF F (Slot Electric)

IDF K(Dimming Room)

IDF N(Restaurant)

IDF Q(Sports Bar)

IDF EFront Desk

IDF H(Coffee Bar)

IDF L(Tower IDF)

IDF R(AV Room)

IDF Garage(Garage)

IDF Pool(Pool)

IDF S

Tower IDF's(11 Tower IDFs in 3 risers with 36 total Switches) Each IDF has a primary

switch with a fiber interface and additional swithches daisy-chained from the

primary.

Catalyst 2948G

Catalyst 2948G

Catalyst 2948G

Catalyst 2948G

Catalyst 2948G

Catalyst 2948G

Catalyst 2948G

IBM i-series system with 3 internal x-

series blade servers

Intel Server Farm

163 Bank switches (2950-24) for slot banks. 4 CAT-6 cables per switch, 1 switch per slot bank

Vision Link toTampa i-series

Labtronix 860 Cages

RS 485 to Floor Hubs which

are not shown

2 x-series Racks 5 Intel App Server Racks

CAT-6

CAT-6

Catalyst 6513

Catalyst 6513

Dual homed to each core

switch

4 C

AT

-6 c

able

s per

bank

switc

h

25 SDG Svrs

Bell South Private Line (T-1) Hard

Rock to Seminole Casino

MCI Point-to-PointT-1 Hollywood to Tampa

TribenetAPC 5000

APC 5000

APC 5000

Inncom B271R Riser

Bridge

Inncom Environmental Controls in Hotel Rooms

163 SDGBGCs in

Computer Room

Admin Switch

Catalyst 2948G

Catalyst 2948G

Catalyst 2948G

Catalyst 2948G

APC 5000

APC 5000

APC 5000

APC 5000

Labtronix transaction server

Computer Room Edge Switches

Intra Property Physical Infrastructure

Everybody’s Best Friend! …Network Nerd

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

Manufacturer’s RoundtableManufacturer’s RoundtableDiscussion And LunchDiscussion And Lunch

• Aristocrat TechnologiesJim Morrow and Jamal Azzam

• Atronic AmericasGraham Falvey and Ken Bossingham

• Bally TechnologiesBruce Rowe and Walt Eisele

• Cyberview Technologies Thierry Brunet and David Kern

• IGTRich Schneider

• WMS GamingRob Siemasko

Interoperability of GSA Standards

GSA OPERATOR’S FORUM August 22, 2007

Documents

Transcript of GSA OPERATOR’S FORUM August 22, 2007