Gaming Standards Association Streamlines Operations, Puts Even More Control in Members' Hands

LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - Aug 3, 2011) - The Gaming Standards Association, the driving force behind the crucial communications standardization of the casino gaming industry, has made several positive and important changes to its membership structure. The result is a global organization that is more focused on protocol end-users -- casino operators -- and puts more control in the hands of its operator and supplier members.

"The changes we have made are positive and make GSA membership more meaningful," said GSA President Peter DeRaedt. "GSA has been lucky to have a core group of members who have shouldered a significant amount of the development expenses while the rest of the world reaped the benefits of their investment. Now, GSA members have more control over their future, because they are directly invested."

Effective immediately, GSA standards will be available exclusively to members. This means GSA members around the world will have a clear R&D and operations advantage over competitors, by having access to the most versatile and powerful protocols that drive the devices and systems of tomorrow.

Additionally, only members will have access to protocol updates, new versions or technical notifications to previously released standards. This means that members will enjoy the exclusive benefit of teams of dedicated engineers working to make the industry better.

The exception is GSA's serial GAT standard, which will continue to be available for free to the industry.

With a keen eye focused on regulation, GSA will now grant free access to governmental regulatory agencies of its standards. Membership is now open to test labs, which can join GSA at either a Bronze or Silver membership level.

To help keep GSA standards available to the entire industry for a reasonable investment, GSA has created a new "Bronze" membership level, with a low annual fee of $10,000. Members at this new level will have access to final versions of all GSA standards. In addition, they will also have access to a manufacturers ID, which is necessary to implement GSA standards in products. Bronze members will be eligible to use GSA's exclusive Certification Program.

Last, effective immediately GSA's Certification Program will be available exclusively to members in good standing.

"When people are invested, the results mean more, and they take a greater sense of ownership and responsibility. What these changes do is make GSA an organization of true investors -- people who care about the outcome of the global gaming industry," DeRaedt said.

In addition to structural changes, GSA is working on several updates to its standards, and expects to announce the updates in the coming months.

"What these changes clearly show -- from structure to protocol updates -- is that GSA is constantly working to improve the gaming industry," DeRaedt said. "That has been our mission from day one, and we will continue to work hard every day to bring about a better and more profitable industry."

Membership information is available on GSA's website, www.gamingstandards.com.

About the Gaming Standards Association (GSA): 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. Established in 1998, GSA's members represent a wide cross section of the global gaming industry.

GSA's Game to System (G2S) Protocol has been named "Best Productivity-Enhancement Technology" by Global Gaming Business Magazine; one of Casino Journal magazine's "Top 3 Most Innovative Products"; and one of Casino Enterprise Management's "Top 10 Slot Floor Technologies."

Platinum members include Aristocrat Technologies Inc.; Bally Technologies, Inc. (BYI); International Game Technology (IGT); Konami Gaming Inc.; MEI; Seminole Tribe of Florida; SPIELO (an affiliate of GTECH LTO.MI), and WMS Gaming Inc. (WMS). Other members include: 3M Touch Systems (MMM); Ainsworth Game Technology, Ltd.; Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission; Aruze Gaming America, Inc.; Atlantic Lottery Corporation; Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH; BMM Compliance; BCLC; Caesars Entertainment; Codere, S.A.; ComTrade; Crane Payment Solutions; De Vocht Expert Services; DR Gaming Technology Europe nv; Eclipse Compliance Testing; European Casino Association; Euro Games Technology Ltd.; FutureLogic, Inc; Gaming Laboratories International, LLC; Gaming Technologies Association; Intralot S.A. (INLr.AT); Isle of Capri Casinos; Loto-Quebec; Macao Polytechnic Institute; Manitoba Lotteries Corp.; Multimedia Games (MGAM); Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL); NRT Technology Corporation; Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation; Oregon Lottery; QALab; Penn National Gaming, Inc.; Radical Blue Gaming, Scientific Games (SGMS); Shuffle Master, Inc.(SHFL); SIQ; Techlink Entertainment International Ltd.; Transact Technologies (TACT); UNLV International Gaming Institute; Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.; WCLC Sask VLT Division. For more information, visit www.gamingstandards.com and follow GSA on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.