LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - March 15, 2011) - The Gaming Standards Association has appointed Michael Bonakdar as the organization's Senior Director Standards Development. Bonakdar brings more than two decades of gaming and management experience to GSA, an international technical standards association that creates standards benefiting gaming manufacturers, suppliers, operators, and regulators.

"Michael has an impressive background in the gaming community that will be invaluable in leading and guiding the GSA standards committees. He has an extensive knowledge of our organization, our member base, and our mission," said GSA President Peter DeRaedt. "We are fortunate to have Michael as part of our team; he brings the right skill set needed to lead GSA's technical business development efforts as we intensify our focus on the gaming operator community."

For more than 25 years, Bonakdar has held senior positions in business operations, slot operations, and strategic marketing at Epic Gaming, Caesars Palace Las Vegas, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, and most recently at International Gaming Technology (IGT).

"Michael's past management and leadership skills will significantly contribute to the organization as a whole. He has great experience with professional services and has been head of Slot Operations for a large operator, in addition to serving as COO and Senior VP of casino operations for a gaming resort management company focusing on Native American casinos. We are very excited to have Michael join GSA," said GSA Chairman Lyle Bell.

"I am thrilled to be joining GSA and look forward to working with such a talented and dedicated team. The challenge is exciting as the industry is experiencing the benefits of open standards," said Bonakdar. "The gaming industry is constantly changing, and as a long-time supporter of GSA's open standards, I am delighted to contribute to the growth of the organization."

For a complete list of GSA member companies or to join GSA, visit 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; American Gaming Systems; Ameristar Casinos, Inc.; Aruze Gaming America, Inc.; Atlantic Lottery Corporation; Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH; BMM Compliance; BCLC; Caesars Entertainment; CashCode Company Inc.; Codere, S.A.; ComTrade; The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; 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; Grand Vision Gaming, LLC; International Games System Co., Ltd; Intralot S.A. (INLr.AT); Isle of Capri Casinos; Loto-Quebec; Macao Polytechnic Institute; Manitoba Lotteries Corp.; Money Controls; MotorCity Casino; Multimedia Games (MGAM); Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL); Nanoptix, Inc.; NRT Technology Corporation; Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation; Oregon Lottery; QALab; Penn National Gaming, Inc.; 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.

Contact Information:

CONTACT:
Peter DeRaedt
Gaming Standards Association
President
Tel: +1 (775) 846-4422
E-mail: