internationalcasinoreview G2e10 REPORT


New applications and new approaches for RFID


RFID is such a useful technology that new and ingenious applications tumble out of GPI’s research labs. A critical mass is building up where not having this functionality means you’re not getting the most out of your business.


tunedin GPI


The range of products that GPI is now able to equip with RFID functionality is growing all the time, demon- strating the advantages of the technology across the traditional gaming floor. At G2E, the company


showed a new version of its f loat tray enabled with 13.56MHz RFID, this one double-layered to allow far more chips to be held at the table – useful in high-traffic markets such as the baccarat tables of Macau. “The RFID technology


gives the operator complete knowledge of the chip inventory at any time,” said Justin Woodard, vice presi- dent of global sales for GPI. “This double-layered version is a totally new design made using non-conductive plas- tics with the sensors located in the sides. There are plenty of other security sensors installed as well, including for the lid and the locks so there is a complete record for security purposes.”


The company was also


showing a prototype roulette float tray with readers that combine with attractive and highly robust materials such as Corian to provide the same levels of security and func- tionality but also visual appeal. The float tray is set on a stand above the table surface, creating more room for the croupier. Additionally, the company


was showing a portable chip reader for the first time. “This is something we


imagine will be used by pit bosses for counting and authentication at each table, saving a great deal of his or her time,” said Woodard. In August, GPI announced that it had entered into a licence agreement with IGT (which a few years ago acquired GPI’s struggling rival Progressive Gaming International) that will allow it to develop certain other applications for high fre- quency RFID and to config- ure the data for the Chip Inventory System (CIS). The data can then be used in a wider casino management


system. “RFID is about the secu-


rity of the currency, yes, but if you open up the technol- ogy to other systems providers it can do a great deal more,” said Woodard. “We aim to create a security and technology platform based on CIS for the whole industry.”


This approach brings with it, for example, the promise at last of automated player tracking at tables, with RFID-enabled loyalty cards and amounts bet or chips bought being able to be reconciled. The technol- ogy has been there for some time, but until now the linking of the data to the wider system has been diffi- cult to achieve cost-effec- tively. “We have also developed RFID enabled playing cards which will come out at some point,” said Woodard. “The reading of them is very fast and very accurate and will be great for poker - especially televised or spec- tator games where you want instant displays. We also


Intelligent solutions for new systems


flexiblefriends INTELLIGENT GAMING


Intelligent Gaming intro- duced its suite of casino management products to a global audience at G2E. Chris Dempsey, who joined the company in 2010 having been in sales roles in IGT, Progressive Gaming and EndX, said: “We identified a gap in the market for an agile system provider who can provide customised, enterprise- level solutions. Our approach is simple. We work closely with each customer to understand their business and create a solution that optimises their existing investments. We have expertise in all aspects of casino systems and operations and are able to tailor solutions that connect to the operator’s current systems and equipment.”


He continued: “We have developed a powerful and flexible system using decades of experience and


want to open CIS to the sur- veillance system, which can use the information, say about the stake, to instantly find the images they need.” The potential for RFID


has always been a lot more than simply a fancy way to count gaming chips and make sure they are genuine. The reason for the relatively slow take-up is cost - but cost becomes much less of an issue if the functionality helps drive the business. Further extremely useful applications and new ver- sions of the systems tech- nology are on the cards, possibly to be seen at ICE in January.


A different route to compliance


testingtesting BMM COMPLIANCE


For any OEM in the gaming industry, compliance testing is an essential step before bringing products to market. It can also be a long, complicated and expensive process.


Although all testing labo-


Chris Dempsey with Intelligent Gaming’s poker tournament module


the latest Microsoft tech- nologies. Our product suite includes slot management, cashless, TITO, table man- agement, poker, marketing, CRM and business intelli- gence. Each module is part of a single integrated solu- tion but each component is readily detached and inte- grated with the operator’s existing systems. This open approach enables us to deliver quick business benefit with minimal opera- tional disruption.”


36 January 2011 •G2ereport


The company, although young, (it was founded in 2009 by Martin Sykes, who also co-founded EndX) has already scored successes in Europe, Asia and Latin America.


“Our success is built on listening to our customers and responding quickly and effectively to their needs,” said Dempsey. “Each casino operator has its own spe- cific requirements and so each Intelligent Gaming solution is unique.”


ratories do essentially the same job, there are different approaches to the process that will suit some clients better than others. For BMM Compliance, that means one thing: “We’re really customer oriented,” said senior VIP for regulatory services Richard Williamson. “We work with the manufacturers to get the product approved, rather than look for the flaw. It helps get the product to market quicker. We will deal with the regulator where manufacturers want to sell their new products and take the time to get them up to speed. We have a thorough knowledge of the whole process and of what every- one needs to know - and that


The elegant prototype of the roulette chip float tray


GPI’s new double-layered chip float tray with the portable chip reader.


Richard Williamson, senior VP for regulatory services with marketing consultant Wendy Anderson


works for the manufacturer, the regulator and the opera- tor. We don’t represent anyone in particular, rather we help to facilitate the whole process.” In the company’s ten year


existence, it has moved from its original Australian home into Asia, South America, Europe and the US, where it


is just finishing the licens- ing process. It now has its headquarters in Las Vegas. “It’s been a ten-year trek,”


said Williamson. “You have to get licences from each and every jurisdiction – and that’s not just states but also individual tribes. That makes more than 200 separate approvals!”


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