G S (G2S) S A S (SAS) : Ame To Ystem Versus LOT Ccounting Ystem
G S (G2S) S A S (SAS) : Ame To Ystem Versus LOT Ccounting Ystem
1998 - 2018
The following table shows the major EGM functionality and which protocol supports it natively. This
excludes functionality provided by external, proprietary, Slot Machine Interface Boards (SMIB). Use
cases are used to help explain each function in the sections below.
Communications
Multi-Host Communications (G2S communications Class)
SAS — Is a low-speed (19.2kb) serial protocol, communicating through a serial port to a single
host. Two serial ports may be available on some EGMs and, therefore, it is possible to have two
hosts connected. However, it is highly recommended that only one SAS host (Primary) direct the
EGM to perform critical functions while the other host (Secondary) have read-only access. This is
to avoid conflicting instructions from the different hosts since SAS has no idea that multiple hosts
exist.
G2S — Used to identify the hosts with which an EGM should communicate and to set the device
access permissions for those hosts. This means that if an Operator has a Casino Management
System, a Monitoring and Reporting System, and a Marketing Analytics system, each can be
configured remotely to communicate with the EGM using the exact functionality needed by the
application.
G2S — Used to set meter subscriptions (end-of-day, periodic, drop, door open, snapshot, etc.).
Meters are sent when the associated trigger points occur. Polling is also possible. Meters can be
collected for every game in a multi-game set, allowing the Operator to determine which games
are the most popular / profitable.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol. The EGM must always be polled for meters.
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G2S — Used to persist a set of end-of-day meters which can be read by any host system. The
meters are persisted until overwritten at the next end-of-day.
G2S — Used to set subscriptions for events and associated data (meters, device status, and
transactions). Associated data is sent with the events when they occur. The Operator to select
which events are sent the different systems connected to the EGM. The subscription process
ensures that only the data needed by a system is sent to it.
G2S — Used to track meter movements while an employee is present at an EGM, allowing casino
accounting to exclude meter movement due to employee preventative maintenance or EGM
testing, from normal game activity. Can also be used to report activity codes entered by an
employee while at an EGM, allowing automation of machine entry access logs.
G2S — Used to enable/disable individual games and denominations, allowing the Operator to
enable individual games within a multi-game set and to select the denominations to offer to the
player for each game. Provides access to game recall and outcome logs.
SAS — Game recall and outcome logs are largely not supported even with the most recent
enhancements.
G2S — Used to manage the payment of progressive jackpots. Supports multiple independent
jackpot controllers and levels. Different games can be linked to different controllers providing
unlimited configuration possibilities. Jackpots can be paid to the credit meter, by handpays, by
vouchers, or to wagering accounts. Contribution meters help simplify controller implementations
and reconciliations. Reconciliations can be done using G2S data collected remotely via the CMS
or a separate G2S Host, without having to manually read progressive jackpot meters on the
casino floor.
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SAS — Remote configuration, contribution meters, and payments to the credit meter, by
vouchers, and to wagering accounts are not supported.
G2S — Used to manage the award of mystery jackpots. Supports multiple independent jackpot
controllers and levels. Different games and denominations can be linked to different controllers
providing unlimited configuration possibilities. Jackpots can be paid to the credit meter, by
handpays, by vouchers, or to wagering accounts. Contribution meters help simplify controller
implementations and reconciliations. Reconciliations can be done using G2S data without having
to manually read mystery jackpot meters on the casino floor.
SAS — Remote configuration, contribution meters, and payments to the credit meter, by
vouchers, and to wagering accounts are not supported. Limited to one external mystery jackpot
connected to the secondary communications port.
G2S — Used to remotely configure internal stand-alone progressive jackpots within an EGM and
to report current jackpot values and resets.
SAS — EGM-managed bonuses and payments to vouchers and wagering accounts are not
supported.
G2S — Used by an EGM to request game outcomes from a central determination system.
Specifically designed to meet the needs of Class II gaming in the United States.
Players
Player Tracking (G2S player Class)
G2S — Used to track play while a player is present at an EGM including win/loss, time played,
and theoretical win/loss. Can be used to award points and report hot players. Time-based and
player-specific point calculation overrides are available.
G2S — Used to manage the Player User Interface – picture-in-picture windows through which
players can interact with third-party applications on the main screen or secondary screens of the
EGM.
G2S — Used to manage slot tournaments - enroll players, initiate sessions, report results.
Supports embedded EGM-based user interfaces as well as external host-controlled user
interfaces.
Money Movements
Handpays (G2S handpay Class)
G2S — Used to report large wins and cancel credits that exceed configurable limits. Supports
local key-offs by attendants, remote key-offs by systems, as well as key-offs to the credit meter,
vouchers, and wagering accounts.
SAS — SAS does not support remote key-offs by systems but allows manual Attendant key-offs to
the credit meter, vouchers and wagering accounts.
G2S — Used to manage the issuance and redemption of cash-out and promotional tickets. EGM
may request multiple validation Ids to support offline voucher issuance. Includes a method for
validating tickets that were printed while an EGM was offline. Vouchers tied to players when
issued and redeemed.
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SAS — Does not allow an EGM to request multiple validation Ids. Does not include a method for
validating tickets that were printed while an EGM was offline. No player information.
G2S — Used to transfer funds to/from player accounts on a host system. Supports embedded
EGM-based user interfaces as well as external host-controlled user interfaces.
G2S — Used to manage and report transactions associated with smart cards. Allows application
data to be relayed to host systems and verified. Includes secure transaction module status
information.
G2S — Used to transfer funds between an EGM and a host system application. Designed to be
used in conjunction with third-party applications running in Player User Interface windows - for
example, to purchase keno tickets or pay tournament fees.
SAS — Limited functionality through the SAS protocol using AFT commands.
SAS — Limited functionality through the SAS protocol using the AFT command.
G2S — Used to report the overall status of the EGM including door status, tilts, language, last
game played, selected game, etc. Can be used to enable/disable entire the EGM, or selectively
enable/disable game play or money in. Supports remote processor reset, remote master reset,
operating hours, and time zone changes.
SAS — Features such as language, remote resets, operating hours, and time zone changes are
not supported.
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G2S — Used to report activity associated with coin acceptors, such as tilts, faults, and drop door
access. Supports multiple currencies as well as configurable exchange rates.
SAS — Multiple currencies and configurable exchange rates are not supported.
G2S — Used to report activity associated with hoppers, such as tilts, faults, hopper door access,
and hopper status (full, empty, high-water mark, etc.) Supports multiple currencies as well as
configurable exchange rates.
SAS — Multiple currencies and configurable exchange rates are not supported.
G2S — Used to report activity associated with note acceptors, such as tilts, faults, and stacker
door access. Supports multiple currencies as well as configurable exchange rates.
SAS — Multiple currencies and configurable exchange rates are not supported.
G2S — Used to report activity associated with note dispensers, such as tilts, faults, dispenser
door access, and dispenser status (full, empty, high-water mark, etc.) Supports multiple
currencies as well as configurable exchange rates.
G2S — Used to validate IDs presented at an EGM. Supports multiple types of ID readers including
magnetic cards, RFID cards, and biometric scanners. Allows host systems to see which player or
employee is present at an EGM. Allows card readers to be connected directly to the EGM’s
mother board as peripheral devices. This eliminates the need for the separate player tracking
hardware used in legacy EGMs.
G2S — Used to report activity associated with printers, such as tilts and faults. Can be used to
configure templates into the printer and perform remote printing of receipts, coupons, and
promotional items from those templates.
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G2S — Used to configure and control the display of jackpot information on signs managed by an
EGM. Used in conjunction with progressive and mystery jackpots.
G2S — Used to report the list of hardware components installed within an EGM as well as the
capabilities of those components. Allows the Operator to remotely gather a complete list of
hardware components, including model, serial number, and the software / firmware versions
they are running. An incredibly useful tool when dealing with revoked or obsoleted software /
firmware.
G2S — Used to determine the amount of storage available on an EGM for storing and installing
software packages.
Remote Configuration
Remote Option Configuration (G2S optionConfig Class)
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol. Configuration must be done locally at the EGM.
G2S — Used to configure theme-related options that are shared amongst multiple games within
an EGM.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol. Configuration must be done locally at the EGM.
G2S — Used to download and install software on an EGM and its peripheral devices, such as
printers and note acceptors, allowing the Operator to manage the software / firmware installed
on EGMs from a central location.
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SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol. Software / firmware must be installed locally at
the EGM.
Regulatory
Software Authentication (G2S gat Class)
G2S — Used to request the inventory of software / firmware components installed on an EGM
and its peripheral devices and then to calculate the signatures of those components. Supports a
wide range of algorithms, including SHA1 and SHA2. Fully compatible with the serial GAT
protocol. Allows the Regulatory Agent to request GAT signatures remotely from a central
location rather than connecting a laptop to each individual EGM on the casino floor, reducing
EGM downtime and operational impact.
SAS — The SAS protocol only supports a limited subset of the GAT protocol.
G2S — Used to access various controls available in the EGM to promote responsible gaming
including game speed, maximum bet, continuous play, PIN activation, etc.