Gaming Technology Summit Conference Program
-Current as of March 9; subject to change
The Gaming Technology Summit conference program is organized along three tracks for 2010:
Strategy: This track presents sessions that consider the overall vision of a casino resort and how technology affects various operating departments. With a focus on increasing revenue and controlling costs, these sessions will provide action items that can have an immediate impact on your operation.
Operations: This track presents sessions that focus on new technology and solutions that apply to key operating departments within a casino resort. Each session is designed to provide informative and educational content about the specific technology or solution and how it is used or will be used in day-to-day operations.
GSA: The Gaming Standards Association facilitates the development and implementation of open standards that pave the way for industry growth. This track of sessions will instruct industry players how to leverage the benefits of GSA's Game-to-System (G2S) and System-to-System (S2S) protocols.
Agenda
- Tuesday - May 25
- Wednesday - May 26
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. General Session: Opening Keynote Address
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Networking Break
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Concurrent Conference Sessions
Chief Financial Officers must justify the investment, whether tangible or intangible, of replacing legacy systems or acquiring cutting edge innovation. With a focus on higher revenues, lower costs and better customer service, CIOs and CFOs are using technology to create high-success marketing campaigns, shorter check-in lines and purchasing advantages. But does the cost of acquisition and implementation of these solutions outweigh the end-result benefit? This session will discuss the ways casino operators are measuring the success of their technology investments and explore what the future may hold for small and large technology purchases.
Server-based gaming and downloadable games remain a lightning rod for attention from operators, regulators and now even consumers. While the technology is solid, deployment has been exceedingly slow and few casinos are jumping on the bandwagon. But with some recent installations, and tacit approval coming from consumers, there is renewed focus on this technology. Hear about the latest developments from operators and manufacturers, and what the future of this technology will look like.
GSA's Game-to-System (G2S) communication protocol unlocks the power of networked gaming and revolutionizes the way information is exchanged between electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and back-of-house systems. It provides a common interface between devices and systems. This session provides a high-level overview of G2S and how its features are poised to revolutionize the gaming floor.
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Keynote Luncheon
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Concurrent Conference Sessions
As websites like Facebook and Twitter grow ever more popular with consumers and sites like Tripadvisor and Yelp are changing the online hospitality business, operators must become more familiar with the features and functionalities provided by these sites and how they might be leveraged to improve guest interaction. Marketing and guest experience opportunities abound, but it can also be a minefield if not executed properly. This session will explore strategies for maximizing the potential benefits these sites can provide your operation and how to avoid becoming extinct before you even start.
Slot systems are a required part of the casino operation – they track the money and player activity on all slot machines to provide accurate transaction reporting. But can your slot system be the answer to your marketing needs as well? While many casinos are investing millions in high-tech marketing solutions, some casinos are using slot systems, sometimes with low-cost campaign management tools, to create marketing solutions that rival the more expensive, more complex solutions. Hear from operators how they make it work as they discuss the benefits and the risks of using your slot system as a marketing solution.
GSA's System-to-System (S2S) communications protocol helps untangle the jumbled web of casino back-of-house network interfaces. S2S provides a common server-to-server communication protocol that allows manufacturers to develop a single communications interface for exchanging data between the various servers. This session provides a high-level overview of S2S and how its features are poised to revolutionize the sharing of information between operations back-of-house systems.
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Networking Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Concurrent Conference Sessions
Hear industry-leading gaming and hospitality CIOs discuss the latest challenges and opportunities they are facing every day in their resort operation, and what they are planning for the future. They will provide candid insights into their most compelling solutions, the impact of current market conditions and their relationships with stakeholders and customers. The CIOs will discuss key initiatives that address industry-wide issues and opportunities.
Surveillance technology has advanced dramatically over the last ten years. Digital formats, high-tech cameras, wireless, and the Internet have changed the way we “watch” the games and secure the entire property. But has the way the surveillance departments operate kept up with the changes? Have the cheats developed new methods to become undetected? Leading industry experts will discuss the marriage of technology and surveillance management and what it means to your operation.
GSA's Transport & Security standards provide point-to-point and multicast specifications for the transport layer used to transfer G2S and S2S messages. This session provides a high-level view of the transport specifications and how they ensure confidentiality, data integrity, authenticity, non-repudiation and availability while securely transferring G2S and S2S messages.
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Networking Break
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Concurrent Conference Sessions
The clamor of innovation for marketing technology is deafening: analytics, social media, tweets and business intelligence are all the rage; some very cheap, some very expensive. There are two approaches to marketing technology: invest heavily or invest very little; there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground. This session will review the successes, failures and ROI of the big spend and no spend options, and will also explore the medium spend possibilities.
The mission of CIOs and IT Directors are at times at odds with the directives of the presidents and GMs of casino resorts. While pressured to deliver results, CIOs often receive mixed messages about the approach and the spending. In this unique session, you’ll hear insights from resort presidents and GMs about what drives their decision making process and how to better engage them in the technology solutions strategy of the casino resort.
The Gaming Device Standard (GDS) protocol is GSA's USB-based serial protocol used to connect gaming devices with peripheral devices such as printers, not acceptors, and card readers. This session provides a high-level view of the GDS specifications and how they allow peripheral manufacturers and operators to maximize the capabilities of gaming device peripherals.
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Concurrent Conference Sessions
Despite its global popularity, mobile gaming has faced an uphill battle in the United States. Though recent years have ushered in favorable legislation in Nevada as well as limited trial implementations, this potentially promising technology has been the subject of mounting technical, regulatory and marketing concerns. Come hear experts discuss the current state of the industry as well as their thoughts on upcoming developments and the future of mobile gaming in Las Vegas and other jurisdictions.
Today more than ever, legacy systems have become a burden to casino resorts. Many legacy systems are expensive to install and maintain, difficult to integrate, proprietary and not as feature-rich as newer technologies. But many resorts have these systems so ingrained in their operation, it’s nearly impossible to extricate themselves from them. Can it even be done successfully? Many have tried, but few have triumphed. Hear from the champions of this cause and how they won the battle.
This session familiarizes attendees with installing and using the G2S Scope (RGS) and System Tester (RST) simulation tools, which will be used in sessions throughout the day to explore G2S functionality. RGS simulates a host system to create and send any G2S message to the electronic gaming machine (EGM), and to provide detailed analysis of the G2S messages generated by an EGM. RST can be used to simulate a G2S EGM, a G2S host and an S2S server. This session will explore how to use this tool as an EGM simulator in order to send/receive G2S messages and view the EGMs data model. *This session is a pre-requisite for the other four Exploring G2S Using Development Tools sessions.
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Networking Break
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Concurrent Conference Sessions
Online gaming is a multi-billion dollar industry that is openly accepted and regulated in some jurisdictions while being strictly prohibited in others. Though the industry draws both sharp criticism and fervent support, no one can deny its popularity. Despite exceptional obstacles, online gaming is in the process of evolving into a mature industry dominated by a handful of firms. This session will explore the technical, regulatory and marketing challenges that face current and future online gaming companies.
With recent advances in portable technologies and new devices and platforms constantly being developed, food and beverage technology has expanded far beyond the simple point-of-sale system. New innovations that provide slick solutions such as mobile reservations from smart phones, Wi-Fi enabled portable POS systems, text updates on table availability and many other advances will improve the restaurant dining experience for the customer. But will the new solutions improve outlet management or create new headaches? This session will explore some of the new technology that is being deployed as well as technology that is still in the pipeline, and how it will be applied in resort F&B outlets.
Using the RGS and RST simulation tools, this session will explore the meters functionality provided through G2S. G2S allows the collection of meter information by querying a host in real-time or by subscribing to selected meters that are sent from the EGM to a G2S host at predetermined intervals. Exploring G2S Using Development Tools - Getting Started with the Tools is a pre-requisite for this session.
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Keynote Luncheon
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Concurrent Conference Sessions
The term “green” continues to pervade today’s culture, especially when new developments or renovations are announced. LEED certification and the different ratings are gaining widespread understanding in the consumer world and affecting almost every new build in the US. In this session we will discuss how this issue effects the casino operation from both a design and facilities standpoint. Whether minimizing power consumption on the floor or incorporating post-consumer products into furniture, fixtures and equipment, casino resorts have multiple opportunities to go “green” which will help broaden their appeal with consumers who appreciate sustainable efforts by the operations they patronize.
With the industry focus on mobile gaming, non-gaming mobile technology has been somewhat under the radar. But recent implementations and advances are starting to bring these concepts to the forefront without the regulatory and cultural issues that face mobile gaming. Using your phone to create room or restaurant reservations, check-in to the hotel and even open the door to your room are just some of the mobile technologies available today. In this session, hear about the latest non-gaming mobile technology innovations and how they are being used in today’s resorts.
Using the RGS and RST simulation tools, this session will explore the voucher functionality provided through G2S. We will explore how G2S provides the ability to manage the issuance of vouchers from an EGM, the redemption of vouchers (which can be performed at another EGM, a cashier's station or at self-service kiosk) and the issuance and manual redemption of vouchers issued while the EGM has lost communication with its vouchering host. Exploring G2S Using Development Tools - Getting Started with the Tools is a pre-requisite for this session.
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Networking Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Concurrent Conference Sessions
Come check out how technology is checking in and managing the hotel room of the future. Is it helping or hindering the guest experience? Industry experts will discuss everything from environmental management, video conferencing, parking technology, wayfinding, hotel room control, interactive services and system integration all with a focus on enhancing the patron experience and supporting employee responsibilities.
As network layers and layouts expand, the need to provide comprehensive and complete network security becomes even more critical to the protection of property data and systems. Wireless networks and the Internet have changed the way we manage gaming operations, but have also created new opportunities for hackers to illegally access corporate and customer data. A Denial of Service attack can cripple a casino resort’s website and its ability to book reservations, costing them money and embarrassment. Hacked data can cost them the confidence of customers, and fraud can cost them millions of dollars. Leading experts will discuss how advances in technology are helping to manage both internal and external security threats.
Using the RGS and RST simulation tools, this session will explore the remote configuration functionality provided through G2S. We will explore how to enable/disable devices/functionality on the EGM and how to configure specific device/functional parameters. Exploring G2S Using Development Tools - Getting Started with the Tools is a pre-requisite for this session.
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Networking Break
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Concurrent Conference Sessions
The success or failure of technology relies on many components, and one of the most critical is the IT organization itself. Creating the appropriate reporting structure, staffing and salary levels, separation of duties and skill sets can mean the difference between success and frustration. It’s always easier to create this organization from the ground up, but how can it be done successfully at an existing operation? Are the changes made all at once or evolved over time? What impact will it have on the staff? This session will explore the techniques and methods to make changes to your IT organization without destroying it!
The amount of information collected and maintained about your customers and employees is staggering. In the past, closed systems made this data private and secure. But with the Internet, customers have access to their player accounts and can comp rooms, meals, shows and more, while employees can manage their benefits and even work from home. Social networking sites are providing unprecedented access to information that is often two-way between casino and customer. What are the legal issues around the privacy of this data and what are the security risks from within your company and from hackers from the other side of the globe? This session will explore this quickly escalating area and the legal and security risks to your company.
Using the RGS and RST simulation tools, this session will explore the remote software authentication capabilities provided through G2S. We will explore the ability to initiate the authentication of specific components from a remote host in order to ensure the authenticity of the component installed on an EGM and/or its peripherals. This functionality is used to meet regulatory requirements relating to alterable media on an EGM. Exploring G2S Using Development Tools - Getting Started with the Tools is a pre-requisite for this session.
Schedule at a Glance
Monday, May 24
GSA Workshop
Tuesday, May 25
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Registration open
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
General Session
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Luncheon Keynote Address
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Networking Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Networking Break
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Cocktail Reception
Wednesday, May 26
7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Registration Open
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Keynote and Awards Luncheon
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Networking Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Networking Break
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions