Operator News
US – GSA welcomes 50 industry leaders to Open Forum
By Phil - 27 June 2013
The Gaming Standards Association held its first annual Open Forum on June 11 at Treasure Island in Las Vegas, Nevada, welcoming more than 50 key industry leaders for a very successful day-long and in-depth discussion about the future of the gaming industry. The session focused on the evolution of online gaming initiatives around the world.
The attendees were as diverse as GSA’s member companies, and included operators, suppliers, regulators, consultants and test labs from countries as varied as Austria, Canada, Ireland and the U.S.
GSA President Peter DeRaedt welcomed the attendees, and GSA committee chairs presented overviews of the current state of GSA’s protocol roadmaps.
Next, AGLC CIO Jeff Wyton delivered a keynote address presenting case studies showing an operator’s look at GSA protocol implementation in the Canadian marketplace. “Our goal is to deliver the right game in the right place at the right time, and GSA standards have been the vehicle enabling us to achieve that goal,” Wyton said. Wyton also spoke to the cost, R&D and business intelligence benefits that GSA standards have brought to AGLC’s operations.
John Purcell, Managing Director of Purcell & Associates delivered the day’s second keynote. Purcell provided a European perspective as to how GSA standards are affecting governmental monitoring requirements in Europe, and how GSA standards support the three pillars of regulation in Europe: protect the vulnerable, keep gaming open and fair, and keep gaming free from crime.
The Forum concluded with an open dialog and discussion with an international panel of gaming experts discussing the future of online gaming and how GSA’s recently announced Online Gaming Committee would play a role in that future. Moderating was Mario Galea, Chairman of LGA Malta. Panelists included Mark Pace, VP Networked Gaming & Operations, WMS Gaming, Kerry Wolfe, Sr. Executive Director, Manitoba Lotteries & Chair of OAC, John Purcell, Managing Director, Purcell & Associates and the Honorable Jon C. Porter, CEO, Porter Gordon Silver.
GSA is continuing the online gaming discussion with the official launch meeting of the Online Gaming Committee with a meeting webinar and teleconference on July 23, 2013. The meeting is open to all interested parties – operators and manufacturers alike, and the discussion will focus on the proposed committee charter and scope.
