Association Management Solutions Welcomes Gaming Standards Association.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2002

New AMS Client Driving Standards Development for Next Generation

Technology Interoperability in Gaming Industry

Association Management Solutions (AMS) today welcomed the Gaming Standards Association (GSA) as a new client focused on communication and interoperability standards for the international gaming industry. The GSA's platinum members include Acres Gaming, Aristocrat, Harrah's, International Game Technology (IGT), Station Casinos, Harrah's Entertainment Inc., the European Gaming Organization, the UNLV Gaming Institute, WMS Gaming and the Mandalay Resort Group.

Gaming networks are among the most sophisticated technology implementations; however, a greater level of standardization is required to drive the next generation of these networks. As the industry moves from game centric applications, such as single purpose slot machines, to client/server based gaming enabling multi-function, browser enabled kiosks, a standardized infrastructure for connectivity and communication is crucial. The Gaming Standards Association's workgroups are working on the technology integration issues to bring gaming to this next level. Among the GSA initiatives is the USB Workgroup, which is working to define the use of USB for internal communication between the processing unit of an electronic gaming device and its peripheral equipment, such as bill validators, ticket printers, card readers and other human interface devices.

"Many people are not aware of the sophisticated level of technology used in the gaming industry," said Gregg Solomon, chairman of the Board of the Gaming Standards Association and senior vice president of operations of the Mandalay Resort Group. "When we looked at AMS' track record in association management for the telecommunications industry, we felt there were synergies with our needs in the gaming industry."

As another example of GSA's leadership in the gaming industry, the association has adopted IGT's SAS protocol for communication between gaming machines and slot accounting systems to provide a secure method to communicate all necessary data supplied by the gaming machine to the monitoring system. This has given GSA input into the evolution of the IGT SAS standard and moves the association toward its goal of developing and implementing a series of electronic communication standards for casino gaming equipment.

"The more familiar we became with the GSA's goals and immediate needs, the more we felt Association Management Solutions' experience in technology association management would really be a benefit to them," said Lisa Winkler, Association Management Solutions partner. "Whether it's smart card technology or interoperability, this is an industry driving some very exciting technology innovation. We are very pleased GSA selected us as their partner."

About GSA

With more than 165 members participating in workgroups, committees and forums, the Gaming Standards Association is an international trade association representing gaming manufacturers, suppliers, operators and regulators. GSA facilitates the identification, definition, development, promotion and implementation of open standards to enable innovation, education and communication for the benefit of the gaming industry. For more information, please visit www.gamingstandards.com.

About Association Management Solutions

Based in Fremont, Calif., Association Management Solutions provides experienced staff and infrastructure for both established and new industry associations. AMS is a full service management firm that provides membership communication and recruitment, administration, web infrastructure, financial management, event and meeting planning, document and communication development, legal and marketing services to its clients. AMS clients include the DSL Forum, the Optical Internetworking Forum, the Multiservice Switching Forum, the Mobile Wireless Internet Forum, the Multi Protocol Label Switching Forum, the Network Processing Forum, The Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance, the Frame Relay Forum and the Gaming Standards Association. More information on Association Management Solutions is available at www.amsl.com or by e-mailing [e-mail].