GLI blends critical new responsibilities with an expanding range of cost-saving and time-saving technologies
Gaming Laboratories International arrived at G2E last month bearing an extraordinary new designation— “Registered Independent Testing Laboratory” for the state of Nevada—a first not only for the world leader in games, gaming equipment and systems testing, it’s a first for the industry.
It means GLI is now taking over the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s traditional role of performing pre-approvals of gambling games, gaming devices and associated equipment, cashless wagering systems and mobile and interactive gaming systems—a responsibility that has come GLI’s way as a result of legislation (A.B. 279) passed to address the state’s pressing need to cut spending.
Fortunately for Nevada, and the industry, it couldn’t have fallen onto broader shoulders.
“We are honored with the trust,” said GLI President and Chief Executive James Maida. “We stand absolutely ready for the task at hand, in terms of capacity, ability and integrity. Our goal is to keep testing costs where they were while striving to increase value to customers and to maintain or improve upon the current testing times. Our overall objective is to make sure the tests are done with unparalleled quality, accuracy, speed and independence for the Nevada Gaming Control Board.”
No testing entity is better equipped than GLI to deliver on those promises. Within weeks of the announcement, the company had unveiled a sizable expansion of its Las Vegas lab, which now measures more than 80,000 square feet, and boosted its technical and support staff by 75 new members, a 40% increase. As of August, GLI had received more than 700 submissions for testing for Nevada for every type of gaming product, from e-gaming to sports book devices and systems, slots products, Live Entertainment Tax systems, mobile technology, cashless systems and casino management systems.
In the process, Maida noted, “We have brought in a talent pool with an even broader and deeper skill set. … The goals of A.B. 279 were to improve access to new technology in Nevada, make it the jurisdiction of first choice for new technology and to create high-tech investment and jobs.” It’s what GLI does the world over. The Las Vegas lab is one of 20 the company maintains worldwide, staffed by more than 750 employees and serving more than 455 gaming jurisdictions, over 130 of which exclusively accept GLI certification letters.
The unparalleled range of services this implies has gotten even larger with the development of new cloud-based technology that will allow regulators to track slot machine software and hardware on the casino floor and tie the components in to their approval status. GLiCloud, which entered beta testing last month, will link with GLI Mobile, allowing regulators to take the power of the GLI lab with them anywhere with real-time access to critical information. By linking the regulator’s data base with GLI’s global database, it puts all necessary information in one convenient location, streamlining processes, saving time and money and eliminating human error.
It’s an extension of the forward-thinking remote technology behind GLI Link, by which the company is able to interface devices to a variety of systems operating in any major casino in the world. GLI Link significantly speeds time to market by enabling testing against specific casino configurations to be performed locally, with no shipping of devices, meaning if your device is in Macau and the system is in Las Vegas, GLI engineers in both labs personally monitor the test to ensure accuracy.
Macau-based GLI Asia tests a wide range of electronic devices and systems including lottery, keno, and bingo; tote and pari-mutuel systems; cashless wagering systems; on-line computer systems and systems modifications; sports betting and wagering systems; and casino style gaming devices & VLTs. GLI also tests interoperability and communication; player tracking systems; TITO systems; RNG; and conducts associated/peripheral equipment testing and certification. The lab has doubled in size since opening in January 2009, ensuring that the company will remain in a unique position to provide the world’s largest casino market and the greater Asia marketplace with independent testing and certification for all electronic gaming devices.
GLI Asia operates the first and only gaming test lab in Asia to achieve accreditation for ISO/ISE 17025:2005 and is steadily growing its business alongside the booming Chinese gambling enclave, recently adding 10 fulltime engineers and expanding its reach into the lottery sector, executing numerous high-profile lottery projects in Beijing, South Korea and Taiwan. Earlier this year, GLI Asia’s General Manager Larry Xiao was invited to speak at the International Conference on Public Welfare and Gaming Industry at Peking University and at the Asian Sports and Welfare Lottery Summit in Singapore.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the growth of our Asia operation, both in terms of clients served and our expanding staff, said Ian Hughes, senior director, Global Engineering and Client Services. “Further, and perhaps most important, GLI Asia has brought more real value-added services to the regulators and operators in the landbased, i-Gaming and lottery segments throughout the Asian region, and also to Asia-based and international suppliers.”
