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Pennsylvania to Discuss Slot Talk

PENNSYLVANIA – As reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "The latest buzz about gambling in Pennsylvania is what kind of language the slot machines will speak.

"Now that the Rendell administration has chosen a company to run the state's main slots computer system, slot-machine manufacturers are eager to know what computer language will be used to communicate with as many as 61,000 slot machines.

"The Department of Revenue has yet to say whether the central computer will use a standard language recognized throughout the slots industry, or a proprietary language created by Rhode Island-based GTECH, which it picked to operate the computer system for an estimated $6.3 million a year.

"GTECH, which also makes slot machines, said it will use any language the state chooses. Competitors say GTECH would have a competitive edge if the central computer uses only its language, or protocol. Other manufacturers would have to convert their machines to match the central computer system's protocol, a costly and time-consuming undertaking.

"…State officials are tight-lipped. Revenue Department spokeswoman Stephanie Weyant said details about the contract must remain secret until it is finalized. That could take about a month; Gov. Ed Rendell, his legal counsel and state Attorney General Tom Corbett still must approve the agreement…"

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