GSA Also Welcomes MPI as an Associate Member LAS VEGAS, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Further establishing the global reach of its standards, the Gaming Standards Association has signed a memo of understanding with the Macao Polytechnic Institute. The MOU expresses GSA's and MPI's mutual commitment in providing education related to the very latest gaming technology and open communication standards. Signing the MOU were MPI President Lei Heong Lok and GSA President Peter DeRaedt. Under terms of the agreement, MPI will act as GSA's office in Asia, establishing a location for GSA on the continent. Additionally, GSA will support MPI in an effort to spread the technical knowledge of GSA's gaming protocol standards to students in Macao and other parts of Asia through MPI. DeRaedt said, "This is a major step forward for GSA. The industry is keenly aware of the expansion of gaming in Macao and the future development that is to come to Asia. We are very pleased to be at the forefront of that growth, laying the groundwork for what will be an intense adoption and implementation of GSA standards." Professor Lei said, "The partnership between MPI and GSA which aims at fostering the adoption and implementation of open industrial standards in Macao will certainly create benefits for manufacturers, operators and other stakeholders in the gaming industry. Fulfilling the promise of seamless communication and interoperability, robust and long-lasting open standards can be a solution for greater revenue and decreased costs." As an initial step, MPI will send a six-member delegation to meet with GSA during the upcoming Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas this November. The research group, deemed the "Feasibility Study for Setting up a Slot Certification Centre in Macao," will include Professor Chen Qingyun, Deputy Director, Economic and Public Policy Research Centre; Professor Zeng Zhonglu, Researcher, Economic and Public Policy Research Centre; Mr. Siu Ka Meng, Andrew, Chairman, MPI-Melco Gaming and Entertainment Information Technology Research and Development Center; Dr. Lai Tze Meng, Terence, Director, MPI-Melco Gaming and Entertainment, Information Technology Research and Development Center; Dr. Im Sio Kei, Marcus, Head, Division for Pedagogical Affairs; and Mr. Chan Fai Man, Jose, Student Affairs and Career Counseling Office, Macao Tourism and Casino Career Center. MPI was established in 1991 as a public and forward-looking institute and was formerly a part of the University of East Asia, Macau. In the 10 years since its inception, the Institute grew into a modern and fully equipped teaching and research facility with a team of experienced and dedicated academic staff. 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. Since its incorporation on May 6, 1998, GSA has members representing a wide cross section of the global gaming industry. GSA's new Game-to-System (G2S) Protocol has been named "Best Productivity-Enhancement Technology" by Global Gaming Business Magazine, one of the "Top Three International Gaming Products" by IGWB 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.; Atronic Americas LLC; Bally Technologies, Inc. (BYI); E-Genting Holdings Sdn Bhd; FutureLogic, Inc; Harrah's Entertainment (HET); International Game Technology (IGT); Konami Gaming Inc.; MEI; MGM MIRAGE (MGM); Progressive Gaming International Corporation (PGIC); Seminole Tribe of Florida; and WMS Gaming Inc. (WMS). Other members include: 3M Touch Systems (MMM); Ainsworth Game Technology, Ltd.; AGMMA - Australasian Gaming Machine Manufacturers Association; Alliance Gaming Services; American Gaming Systems; Ameristar Casinos, Inc.; Aruze Gaming America, Inc.; Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH; Belatra Co., Ltd.; BMM North America; Bounty Limited; British Columbia Lottery Corporation; CashCode Company Inc.; Casino Technology; Cyberview Technology (CYBS); DigiDeal Corp.; Digital Dynamics Software, Inc.; DigiTech Systems Co., Ltd.; Elixir Group, Ltd.; Foxwoods Resort Casino; GameLogic, Inc.; GameTech International; Gaming Consultants International; Gaming Laboratories International, Inc; Giesecke & Devrient; GGS-US LTD; Global Cash Access, Inc.; Global Payment Technologies Inc. (GPTX); GTECH Corporation; Hotel Technology Next Generation; Incredible Technologies, Inc.; Inspired Gaming Group plc (INGG); Intralot S.A.; Jofemar, S.A.; Las Vegas Gaming, Inc.; Macao Polytechnic Institute; Money Controls; MotorCity Casino; Multi-State Lottery Association; Multimedia Games, Inc. (MGAM); Nick Farley & Associates; Nidec Sankyo Corporation; NRT Technology Corporation; Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation; Penn National Gaming, Inc.; PokerTek, Inc.; R. Franco USA; Rocket Gaming Systems; Scientific Games (SGMS); Shuffle Master, Inc.(SHFL); Station Casinos, Inc.; Tabcorp Holdings Limited; Transact Technologies (TACT); Unidesa Gaming & Systems; UNLV International Gaming Institute; Video Gaming Technologies, Inc; Viejas Casino and Western Money Systems. For more information, visit http://www.gamingstandards.com/. DATASOURCE: Gaming Standards Association CONTACT: Peter DeRaedt, President of Gaming Standards Association, +1-775-829-2336, ; or Paul Speirs, President of Steinbeck Communications, +1-702-413-4278, , for Gaming Standards Association Web site: http://www.gamingstandards.com/

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