GSA Releases New Standard Protocols

8 June 2004

LAS VEGAS – (PRESS RELEASE) -- The Gaming Standards Association today released two groundbreaking protocol standards that will change the face of gaming forever. The standards, Best of Breed (BOB) and System-to-System (S2S) standardize communication protocols, enabling machines and systems of different manufacturers to communicate correctly with each other.

The standards are the end-result of unprecedented cooperation between manufacturers and bring potential for an immediate, positive impact on a casino/hotel's entire operation, not just on the gaming floor. Further, the standards smash expensive barriers to entry, enabling property-wide systems, tremendously enhancing player tracking and customer service potential.

The standards carry tremendous possibilities for cost savings, for both operators and manufacturers. Both standards will be available free of charge to GSA members and no per-use license fees are required, allowing greater access by more suppliers without additional cost burdens.

"These standards will bring an immediate impact to everyone's bottom line," said GSA Chairman Gregg Solomon of Mandalay Resort Group. For example, with S2S, system providers can develop and test their external interfaces to a known standard, and development and testing are done once. For operators, systems will become plug-compatible, deployment will be faster and options will be freely expanded. This is a monumental day in the gaming industry."

Mark Lipparelli, Bally Gaming & Systems and GSA Vice Chairman said, "The challenge of meeting varied and complex development and testing requirements will be greatly reduced with the continuing progress of GSA standards. As these standards become better known, our collective industry is quickly realizing that our unnecessary differences are hurting our ability to bring new products to market in appropriate timeframes."

GSA President Peter DeRaedt said, "BOB and S2S unlock the potential for an unlimited stream of creativity from manufacturers and customer service from operators. By standardizing communications, manufacturers can focus more of their energies on new product development, even as far as downloadable games. Operators are now freed from expensive and time-consuming internal IT labor, developing protocols for different systems and machines."

BOB is a worldwide protocol that ensures secure communication between gaming devices and gaming systems by relying on existing best of breed protocols in standard technology, namely TCP/IP and XML -- essentially broad- band communication protocols that are widely in use today. At its most basic level, BOB defines the application layer -- what messages gaming machines are sending to gaming systems.

S2S runs parallel to BOB, picking up where BOB leaves off. S2S creates a standard where gaming and non-gaming systems from across the casino/hotel can interface, collect and communicate player information across the entire property, including table games, slots, marketing, hotel, food and beverage, and more. S2S eliminates current expensive barriers to entry, as well as barriers to exit, by relying on existing industry standards, such as TCP/IP and XML, and transport technologies such as Ethernet.

The landmark BOB and S2S standards are available free of charge and per- use licensing to GSA members. Companies interested in membership, or for more information on GSA and its mission to bring important protocol standards to the gaming industry, visit GSA at gamingstandards.com.

About the Gaming Standards Association (GSA): The Gaming Standards Association (GSA) is an international trade association representing 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. Since its incorporation on May 6, 1998, GSA has grown to 62 members representing a wide cross section of the global gaming industry. Platinum members include Aristocrat Technologies Inc.; Bally Gaming and Systems (AGI); Harrah's Entertainment (HET); Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. (ISLE); Konami Gaming Inc.; Mandalay Resort Group (MBG); Seminole Tribe of Florida; and WMS Gaming Inc. (WMS). Other members include: 3M Touch Systems (MMM); AGMMA - Australasian Gaming Machine Manufacturers Association; Alliance Gaming Services; AstroSys International Ltd.; Atronic Americas LLC; Atronic Systems; BMM North America; Cadillac Jack; Caesars Entertainment; CashCode Company Inc.; Casino Management Association; Casino Technology AD; Coin Mechanisms Inc.; Elo Touchsystems; European Gaming Organization; Flint & K, Inc.; Foxwoods Resort Casino; Friedberg & Associates; GameTech International, Inc. (GMTC); Gaming Consultants International; Gaming Laboratories International, Inc; Giesecke & Devrient; GGS-US LTD; Global Payment Technologies Inc. (GPTX); Glory USA Inc.; Gold Club; GTECH Corporation (GTK); Himecs Co, Ltd.; Hyatt Gaming Services, LLC; International Currency Technology; Intralot S.A. (INLr.AT); JCM American Corporation; Kare Technology; Loto-Quebec; Mars Electronics International; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Business Development Authority; Mikohn Gaming Corporation (MIKN); Molex Incorporated (MOLX and MOLXA); Money Controls; Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL); Nick Farley & Associates; NRT Technology Corporation; Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation; Renaissance Casino Solutions, Inc.; Revive Partners, LLC; R. Franco USA; Scientific Games (SGMS); SGC-Link Corporation; Spielo; Transact Technologies (TACT); Unidesa Gaming & Systems; Universal Distributing of Nevada; UNLV International Gaming Institute; and Video Gaming Technologies, Inc. For more information, visit http://www.gamingstandards.com.