p26-33 cash handling 30/6/09 08:31 Page 36
CASH HANDLING
if the maximum play is currency110, normally a player would jurisdictions that require a more demanding
first need to break a currency120 bill for example. With the r2, verification process, we would suggest using the G2S
the player would receive either two 5currency1 bills or one currency110 GAT class to verify versions of installed peripheral
bill back so that playing could begin immediately. firmware.
In conclusion, the r2 helps prevent hoppers from “Casino gaming machine vendors could also
being depleted prematurely during a payout thereby benefit by using HERMES SoftLab’s device driver
increasing playtime and overall player satisfaction. It component which supports a wide range of devices
can also increase revenue, by accepting notes up to and firmware versions. This approach could
currency150, and paying change with currency110 or currency120 notes. Not potentially reduce time to market and cut device
only that, but the unit is also adaptable to note driver maintenance costs, giving vendors more
design changes and validation software updates are opportunity to concentrate on developing other areas
quick and easy with CashCode’s BlueChip smart-stick of the business.”
memory that can update software and firmware
quickly and easily. GPT
HERMES Softlab While ticket payment systems do solve some of the
problems associated with operating gaming
HERMES SoftLab has identified sees two problems machines, such as ensuring there is always enough
for gaming machine manufacturers and operators cash in the hoppers to cover larger wins, they can
and offers a solution for each. also present problems of their own. Gaming venue
As we all know, note and coin validator vendors owners often lose valuable revenue because of the
tend to publish new firmware and software regularly long queues that can develop in front of cashier
throughout the year. These updates mainly tackle the windows as customers look to cash in winning tickets.
introduction of new bills, offer bug fixes and, from This can lead to
time to time, include additional functionalities and reduced playing time
improvements. For this reason, it is vital that casino, for those customers as
arcade and street gaming operators commit to the well as an increased
updates of acceptor devices several times during a level of dissatisfaction
given year. This can, however prove problematic. for those caught at the
Perhaps inevitably, some updates introduce end of a particularly
incompatibilities with older versions of the same long queue.
software and this can create problems with the The Cash
smooth running of the software and, more Redemption Terminal
importantly, incur potentially costly downtime. (CRT) has been
Not only that, but they can take some time to designed by ecash in
install and may cause additional problems with their order to help site
host gaming machines, including ram-clear and owners reduce the time
system reconfiguration. Also many different types of it takes customers to
acceptor in a single venue can create multiple cash their winning,
technical problems, which in turn means that casino while addressing the
gaming machine vendors have to constantly verify obvious security
that all deployed versions still work with their existing concerns that abound
equipment. in such areas. It is a
So, in an ever-expanding business machine vendors, fully automated ticket
as well as operators, have to continuously adjust their redemption system,
software to compliment the latest changes to note design expressly for
validator firmware as well as maintaining the present cashless gaming
collection of supported devices. Keeping up to date environments. It uses a unique, industry-first feature
with new devices and the customer support on offer which allows the unit to accept barcode tickets which
is also essential in dealing with new customers. The have been entered into the machine in all four
lack of standardisation in this area does not make a directions: that is ticket up, ticket down and in all
machine vendor’s life any easier. orientations.
“G2S, or the Games 2 System, is one answer to the In addition, to maximise security, the CRT is
problems caused by firmware updates to note designed with four secure, lockable cash cassettes
acceptor and other peripherals,” says Ales Gornjec, and four coin hoppers to deliver the gaming venue
Business Development Manager for Gaming at owner maximum flexibility with regards payout
HERMES SoftLab, who is responsible for 80 plus denomination. Other security features include a
engineers in the field of slot machines, casino digital time lock delay controlled safe and a separate,
management, sports betting and online poker secure locked compartment for rejected notes.
software. “Through its download capabilities, the new The machine is designed with a small footprint
version of peripheral firmware could potentially be (less than half a metre wide) to fit into what may have
deployed effectively with very little effort. For those been considered previously dead space on the casino
28 JULY/AUGUST 2009
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