Implementation Guide

for

SAS Serial Protocol

Montana Department of Justice – Gambling Control Division

January 15, 2014

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Table of Contents
1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 5
1.1 General ................................................................................................................ 5
1.2 Scope and Purpose .............................................................................................. 5
1.3 Acknowledgement .............................................................................................. 5
2 Overview ............................................................................................................. 6
2.1 Physical Interface ................................................................................................ 6
2.2 Logical Interface ................................................................................................. 6
2.3 Addressing .......................................................................................................... 6
2.4 Polling ................................................................................................................. 6
2.4.1 General Poll ................................................................................................ 6
2.4.2 Long Poll..................................................................................................... 6
2.4.3 Response Timing ......................................................................................... 6
2.4.4 Data Integrity .............................................................................................. 6
2.5 Timing ................................................................................................................. 6
2.6 Acknowledgement .............................................................................................. 7
2.7 Error Conditions.................................................................................................. 7
2.7.1 VGM Busy ................................................................................................... 7
2.7.2 Loop Break .................................................................................................. 7
2.7.3 Link Down ................................................................................................... 7
2.7.4 Unsupported Commands ............................................................................. 7
2.7.5 Collision ...................................................................................................... 7
3 General Poll ........................................................................................................ 8
3.1 Required Event Exceptions ................................................................................. 9
4 Long Poll ........................................................................................................... 10
4.1 SAS to MT Cross Reference ............................................................................. 10
4.2 Credit Unit ........................................................................................................ 10
4.3 ROM Signature Verification ............................................................................. 11
4.3.1 Command code: 21 (Required) .............................................................. 11
4.4 Meters and General Command ......................................................................... 12
4.4.1 Command code: 0F (Required) ............................................................. 12
4.4.2 Command code: 10 (Required) .............................................................. 12
4.4.3 Command code: 11 (Required) .............................................................. 12
4.4.4 Command code: 12 (Required) .............................................................. 12
4.4.5 Command code: 13 (Required) .............................................................. 13
4.4.6 Command code: 15 (Required) .............................................................. 13
4.4.7 Command code: 16 (Required) .............................................................. 13
4.4.8 Command code: 17 (Required) .............................................................. 13
4.4.9 Command code: 18 (Required) .............................................................. 13
4.4.10 Command code: 19 (Required) .............................................................. 14
4.4.11 Command code: 1A (Required) ............................................................. 14
4.4.12 Command code: 1E (Required) ............................................................. 14
4.4.13 Command code: 1F (Required) ............................................................. 14
4.4.14 Command code: 20 (Required) .............................................................. 15

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4.4.15 Command code: 31 (Required) .............................................................. 15

4.4.16 Command code: 32 (Required) .............................................................. 15
4.4.17 Command code: 33 (Required) .............................................................. 15
4.4.18 Command code: 34 (Required) .............................................................. 16
4.4.19 Command code: 35 (Required) .............................................................. 16
4.4.20 Command code: 36 (Required) .............................................................. 16
4.4.21 Command code: 37 (Required) .............................................................. 16
4.4.22 Command code: 46 (Required) .............................................................. 16
4.4.23 Command code: 48 (Required) .............................................................. 17
4.4.24 Command code: 54 (Required) .............................................................. 17
4.4.25 Command code: 6F (Required) ............................................................. 17
4.4.26 Command code: 7B (Required) ............................................................. 18
4.4.27 Command code: 7E (Required) ............................................................. 18
4.4.28 Command code: A0 (Required) ............................................................. 19
4.4.29 Command code 7F (Required) ............................................................. 19
4.5 Multi-game Command ...................................................................................... 20
4.5.1 Command code: 2F (Required) ............................................................. 20
4.5.2 Command code: 51 (Required) .............................................................. 20
4.5.3 Command code: 52 (Required) .............................................................. 20
4.5.4 Command code: 53 (Required) .............................................................. 21
4.5.5 Command code: 55 (Required) .............................................................. 21
4.5.6 Command code: 56 (Required) .............................................................. 21
4.6 Ticket Validation and Redemption ................................................................... 22
4.6.1 Command code: 4C (Required) ............................................................. 22
4.6.2 Command code: 4D (Required) ............................................................. 22
4.6.3 Command code: 3D (Required) ............................................................. 23
4.6.4 Command code: 50 (Required) .............................................................. 23
5 Post Notes ......................................................................................................... 25

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Revision History
Date Version Modification
Added Paytable ID Cross Reference Section 4.1 and SAS
1/15/14 1.5.0
Long Poll 7F.
10/22/12 1.4.1 Corrected long poll 7B.
Added SAS Long Polls 6F and 7B.
10/12/12 1.4.0 Modified Meter Cross Reference Section 4.1.
Added Asset Number Cross Reference Section 4.1.
Minor spelling and grammatical fixes; title page and revision
10/13/11 1.3.0
history reformatting.
Remove optional long polls and exceptions.
Modified useable address range.
Modified ROM signature command explanation.
Added special note for long poll ‘2F’.
Modified long poll ‘A0’ definition.
In ticket validation and redemption section, modified
explanation for Enhanced Validation with no validation ID set,
added that standard validation is the default configuration, and
10/22/10 1.2.2 added explanation of what the VGM does when the validation
buffer is full of unread.
Remove long poll ‘57’.
Remove exceptions 20, 2A, 36, 37, 73, 74, 7B.
Modify exception 3F to be required.
Make note that Jackpot meter is always zero in MT for long
polls 10, 19, 52.
Added note for long poll 50 and 4D that only validation type
00 is required.
Minor editing.
7/24/03 1.2.1 Added section 1.3 to acknowledge SAS Protocol Specification
document.
Added meter cross reference table.
7/22/03 1.2.0
Redefined required and optional concept.
Modifications and corrections based on comments gathered
7/20/03 1.1.0
from industry.
6/03/03 1.0.0 Initial release of document.

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1 Introduction
1.1 General
The Automated Accounting and Reporting System (AARS) is a central monitoring
system (CMS) under implementation consideration by the Montana Gambling
Control Division (GCD). The primary purpose of the AARS is to automate the
meter data collection, VGM program information verification, gaming tax
calculation, tax invoicing and tax collection. Montana GCD has established, by
rule, that all VGMs shall have the ability to communicate with the AARS using the
Slot Accounting System (SAS) Serial Communication Protocol, version 6.00, with
an EIA-232 physical interface.

1.2 Scope and Purpose

The scope and purpose of this implementation guide is to supplement the SAS
Serial Communication Protocol document, version 6.00, hence referred to as the
protocol document. This document will attempt to provide precise interpretation
for the polling commands defined in the protocol document.

This document will also define the minimum implementation requirement of

polling commands as directed by Montana GCD.

Specific command format and data structure should come from the SAS serial
communication protocol specification document.

1.3 Acknowledgement
This document is based on the SAS Protocol Specification document and should
only be used as a supplemental guide when implementing the protocol for the
Montana jurisdiction. The SAS Protocol Specification document describes the true
and correct behavior of the protocol; any deviation in this document is
unintentional and the SAS Protocol Specification document should be used as the
deciding reference point if such a deviation exists. Corrections will be made to this
document in an expedient manner to reflect the SAS Protocol Specification
document when such a deviation is noted.

The SAS Protocol Specification document is the property of Gaming Standards

Association and International Game Technology.

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2 Overview
The SAS serial communication protocol is a host-centric protocol. Data and event
information are requested or polled by the host; VGMs respond to requests or polls only
when the machine address used by the host matches the one configured in the VGM.

2.1 Physical Interface

The required physical interface between the host and the VGM is the EIA-232 interface.

2.2 Logical Interface

The serial data link shall operate at the speed of 19,200 bits per second (BPS), with 1
start bit, eight data bits, a wake-up bit and one stop bit. The wake-up bit should be set in
the first byte of the message; the wake-up bit should be cleared for the remainder of the
message. The VGM shall clear the wake-up bit when responding to the host.

2.3 Addressing
The machine address for the VGM must be configurable by the operator, using numbers
1 through 127. Use of machine address zero (0) should only be used to turn off SAS.

2.4 Polling
2.4.1 General Poll
The host utilizes the general poll command to acquire critical event information from the
VGM, such as VGM door access and bill acceptance.
2.4.2 Long Poll
Long poll commands are used to access VGM meter accounting information, with the
exception of the ROM signature long poll request, where the VGM is required to
calculate the CRC of its memory based on the seed provided by the long poll command.
2.4.3 Response Timing
Upon receiving the entire host message, the VGM has 20 milliseconds to initial
transmission of its response. If the host does not receive the response within the 20
milliseconds, it may time out the VGM and move on to the next polling target. Once the
VGM has been timed out, further transmission by the VGM is ignored by the host.
2.4.4 Data Integrity
Command and data integrity is verified with CCITT 16-bit CRC (Cyclical Redundancy
Check). The algorithm used for the CRC calculation is provided in the SAS protocol
document.

2.5 Timing
Timing requirements are detailed in the protocol specification document in section 2.3;
these requirements will be strictly enforced.

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2.6 Acknowledgement
The SAS protocol utilizes the implied acknowledgement (ACK) concept on the host.
This concept is detailed in section 3 of the protocol specification document. This concept
is not followed on the VGM side; therefore, the VGM must acknowledge receipt of
messages from the host when required.

2.7 Error Conditions

2.7.1 VGM Busy
Refer to section 4.1 of the protocol specification document.
2.7.2 Loop Break
Refer to section 4.2 of the protocol specification document.
2.7.3 Link Down
Refer to section 4.3 of the protocol specification document.
2.7.4 Unsupported Commands
If the VGM receives a polling command that is not supported by the VGM, the VGM
shall not respond to the command in any manner. Any response to such a command shall
constitute support of the command. Refer to section 4.4 of the protocol specification
document.
2.7.5 Collision
The required physical interface for the Montana implementation is EIA-232, point-to-
point interface. Since the VGM should only respond to host polls upon detecting a
matching machine address, a collision should not occur. However, should the VGM
detect a host transmission during its attempt to transmit, the VGM shall yield to the host
and abort its transmission. Refer to section 4.5 of the protocol specification document.

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3 General Poll
The host issues general polls to request event exceptions from the VGM. The VGM shall
maintain all event exceptions in a first-in, first-out buffer (FIFO). Upon receiving a
general poll addressed to the VGM, the VGM shall respond with a single byte exception
code. If no event exception is in the buffer, the VGM shall respond with ‘00’ byte.
If a ROM signature verification result is pending, the VGM shall transmit the result
instead of an event exception in response to a general poll. Once the implied
acknowledgement is determined by the VGM, the VGM shall erase the ROM signature
verification result.
The minimum number of event exceptions stored in the FIFO buffer is 20.

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3.1 Required Event Exceptions

Event
Exception Description
Code
00 No activity
11 Slot door was just opened
12 Slot door was just closed
13 Drop door was just opened
14 Drop door was just closed
15 Card cage was just opened
16 Card cage was just closed
17 AC power was just applied to the VGM
18 AC power was just lost from the VGM
19 Cashbox door open
1A Cashbox door closed
1B Cashbox removed
1C Cashbox installed
1D Belly door was just opened
1E Belly door was just closed
27 Cashbox full
28 Bill jam
29 Bill acceptor hardware failure
2B Bill rejected
Operator changed configuration options, including denomination, VGM
3C
address or any gaming option specific to the VGM
3D A cash out ticket has been printed
3F Validation ID not configured
47 $1.00 bill accepted, non-RTE mode
48 $5.00 bill accepted, non-RTE mode
49 $10.00 bill accepted, non-RTE mode
4A $20.00 bill accepted, non-RTE mode
60 Printer communication error
61 Printer paper out error
70 Exception buffer overflow
7A Game soft meter reset to zero
86 Game is out of service
8C Game selected

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4 Long Poll
Long polls are utilized by the host to obtain data from the VGM. There are four (4) types
of long polls: type R, type S, type M and type G. The message types are detailed in
section 2.2.2 of the protocol specification document.

Minimum required and optional commands supported by the VGM are denoted in the
following detailed description and format guide.

Note: All command and response examples will use a machine address of 1.

4.1 SAS to MT Cross Reference

All meters references in the remainder of this document follow the meter reference used
in the SAS Protocol Specification document. Table 4.1 cross-references the Montana
Meter Name/Label with the SAS Meter Label/Code Value.
Table 4.1 Meter Cross Reference
SAS Meter Label Montana SAS Meter Montana Meter
Meter Label Code Value Name
Total Coin in $$PL 0000 Money Played
Total Coin out $$WN 0001 Money Won
Total Canceled Credits $$PD 0004 Money Paid
Total Drop $$TL 0024 Money In
Current Credits $$CR 000C Current Credits

Table 4.2 VGM Information Cross Reference

SAS Label Montana Label SAS Long Poll
Gaming Machine Asset Number / House ID VGMID 7B (Asset Number)
Paytable ID Program Name 1F (Paytable ID)

4.2 Credit Unit

All ‘credit unit’ references in the following sections refer to the base denomination of the
VGM. The base denomination of all VGMs in the state of Montana is one (1) cent.

1 credit unit = 1 cent

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4.3 ROM Signature Verification

The VGM is required to perform a calculation to verify the program content of its ROM(s)
upon request. The calculation utilizes the CCITT 16-bit CRC algorithm defined in
section 5 of the protocol specification document.

The host will provide a variable seed in the polling command. The seed is used to
calculate the CRC value of the ROM device. The VGM shall include all critical data in
its CRC calculation for SAS long poll 21 including the BIOS, extended BIOS, MBR, OS
partitions, game partitions, and paytables. If a chain of trust is used in the boot process of
the VGM, the calculation may be performed on the start of the chain that contains the
next link’s signature omitting the rest of the boot chain from the CRC calculation.
Graphics may be omitted from the CRC calculation. The CRC reported by SAS long poll
21 shall be externally calculated outside of the VGM on the game media and will match
exactly.
The result of the computation is sent to the host in response to the next general poll
command after the completion of the computation.
During the computation or prior to sending the result to the host, if the VGM receives a
second ROM Signature Verification command, the computation shall restart with the new
seed value.
4.3.1 Command code: 21 (Required)
Description: ROM Signature Verification
Poll: ’01 21 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 4 – ROM verification seed value, binary format.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 6 – 16-bit CRC.

Response: ’01 21 00 00 XX XX’

Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 4 – ROM signature, binary format.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 6 – 16-bit CRC.

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4.4 Meters and General Command

4.4.1 Command code: 0F (Required)
Description: Send Meters from command codes 10 through 15.
Poll: ’01 0F’
Response:
’01 0F 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Cancelled meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 10 – Coin in meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 11 ~ Byte 14 – Coin out meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 15 ~ Byte 18 – Total drop meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 19 ~ Byte 22 – Jackpot meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
(Always zero in MT)
Byte 23 ~ Byte 26 – Games played meter value in number of games, BCD format.
Byte 27 ~ Byte 28 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.2 Command code: 10 (Required)
Description: Send Jurisdictional Cancelled Credit Meter
Poll: ’01 10’
Response: ’01 10 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Cancelled credit meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.3 Command code: 11 (Required)
Description: Send Coin In Meter
Poll: ’01 11’
Response: ’01 11 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Coin in meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.4 Command code: 12 (Required)
Description: Send Coin Out Meter
Poll: ’01 12’
Response: ’01 12 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Coin out meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.

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4.4.5 Command code: 13 (Required)

Description: Send Total Drop Meter
Poll: ’01 13’
Response: ’01 13 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Total drop meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.6 Command code: 15 (Required)
Description: Send Games Played Meter
Poll: ’01 15’
Response: ’01 15 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Games played meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.7 Command code: 16 (Required)
Description: Send Games Won Meter
Poll: ’01 16’
Response: ’01 16 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Games won meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.8 Command code: 17 (Required)
Description: Send Game Lost Meter
Poll: ’01 17’
Response: ’01 17 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Games lost meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.9 Command code: 18 (Required)
Description: Send Games Since Last Power Up and Door Closure Meter
Poll: ’01 18’
Response: ’01 18 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 4 – Games played meter since last power up, BCD format.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 6 – Games played meter since last door closure, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.

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4.4.10 Command code: 19 (Required)

Description: Send Meters 11 Through 15
Poll: ’01 19’
Response: ’01 19 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Coin in meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 10 – Coin out meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 11 ~ Byte 14 – Total drop meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 15 ~ Byte 18 – Jackpot meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
(Always zero in MT)
Byte 19 ~ Byte 22 – Games played meter value in number of games, BCD format.
Byte 23 ~ Byte 24 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.11 Command code: 1A (Required)
Description: Send Current Credit Meter
Poll: ’01 1A’
Response: ’01 1A 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Current credit meter value in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.12 Command code: 1E (Required)
Description: Send Bill Meters
Poll: ’01 1E’
Response: ’01 1E 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Number of $1.00 bills, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 10 – Number of $5.00 bills, BCD format.
Byte 11 ~ Byte 14 – Number of $10.00 bills, BCD format.
Byte 15 ~ Byte 18 – Number of $20.00 bills, BCD format.
Byte 19 ~ Byte 22 – Number of $50.00 bills, BCD format.
Byte 23 ~ Byte 26 – Number of $100.00 bills, BCD format.
Byte 27 ~ Byte 28 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.13 Command code: 1F (Required)
Description: Send Gaming Machine ID and Information
Poll: ’01 1F’
Response: ’01 1F 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 4 – Game ID in ASCII format.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 7 – Additional game ID in ASCII format. ASCII zero if not used.
Byte 8 – VGM denomination code in binary format.

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Byte 9 – Largest configured maximum bet for the VGM in binary format.
Byte 10 – Current configured progressive group for the VGM in binary format.
Byte 11 ~ Byte 12 – Game options selected by the operator in binary format.
Byte 13 ~ Byte 18 – Paytable ID* in ASCII format.
Byte 19 ~ Byte 22 – Theoretical base pay back percentage for max bet in ASCII format.
No decimal point, it is implied.
Byte 23 ~ Byte 24 – 16-bit CRC.
*Required SAS Paytable ID cross reference is detailed in Section 4.1.
4.4.14 Command code: 20 (Required)
Description: Send Dollar Value of Bills Meter
Poll: ’01 20’
Response: ’01 20 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Dollar value of all bills received, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.15 Command code: 31 (Required)
Description: Send $1.00 Bills In Meter
Poll: ’01 31’
Response: ’01 31 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Number of $1.00 bills accepted, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.16 Command code: 32 (Required)
Description: Send $2.00 Bills In Meter
Poll: ’01 32’
Response: ’01 32 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Number of $2.00 bills accepted, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.17 Command code: 33 (Required)
Description: Send $5.00 Bills In Meter
Poll: ’01 33’
Response: ’01 33 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Number of $5.00 bills accepted, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.

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4.4.18 Command code: 34 (Required)

Description: Send $10.00 Bills In Meter
Poll: ’01 34’
Response: ’01 34 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Number of $10.00 bills accepted, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.19 Command code: 35 (Required)
Description: Send $20.00 Bills In Meter
Poll: ’01 35’
Response: ’01 35 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Number of $20.00 bills accepted, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.20 Command code: 36 (Required)
Description: Send $50.00 Bills In Meter
Poll: ’01 36’
Response: ’01 36 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Number of $50.00 bills accepted, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.21 Command code: 37 (Required)
Description: Send $100.00 Bills In Meter
Poll: ’01 37’
Response: ’01 37 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Number of $100.00 bills accepted, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.22 Command code: 46 (Required)
Description: Send Credit Amount of All Bills Accepted
Poll: ’01 46’
Response: ’01 46 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Value of all bills accepted in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 8 – 16-bit CRC.

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4.4.23 Command code: 48 (Required)

Description: Send Last Accepted Bill Information
Poll: ’01 48’
Response: ’01 48 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 – Country code, BCD format.
Byte 4 – Bill denomination code, BCD format.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 8 – Number of accepted bills of this type, BCD format.
Byte 9 ~ Byte 10 – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.24 Command code: 54 (Required)
Description: Send SAS Version ID and Gaming Machine Serial Number
Poll: ’01 54’
Response: ’01 54 00 00 00 00 00 … 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 – Length of data field, binary format.
Byte 4 ~ Byte 6 – Implemented SAS version number, ASCII format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte… – Gaming machine serial number, ASCII format, variable length.
Byte… ~ Byte… – 16-bit CRC.
4.4.25 Command code: 6F (Required)
Description: Send Selected Meters for Game N
Poll: ’01 6F 00 00 00 00 … 00 XX XX”
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Selected extended meters command.
Byte 3 - Number of data bytes to follow, in binary format.
Byte 4 ~ Byte 5 – Selected game number, (0000=gaming machine) BCD format
Byte 6 – Byte 7 - Meter code* for the first requested meter, binary format.
Variable – Additional meter codes* in binary, maximum of 11 meter-codes.
Byte… ~ Byte… – 16-bit CRC.
Response: ’01 6F 00 00 00 00 … 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 - Number of data bytes to follow, in binary format.
Byte 4 ~ Byte 5 – Selected game number, (0000=gaming machine) BCD format.
Byte 6 ~ Byte 7 – Meter code* for the following meter, binary format.
Byte 8 – Meter size in number of bytes (Must support a min of 5 BCD)
Byte… ~ Byte Meter value for the first meter (0 to 9 bytes)
Byte… ~ Byte Code/size/value for additional meters
Byte… ~ Byte… – 16-bit CRC
*Required SAS Meter code values are detailed in Section 4.1.

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4.4.26 Command code: 7B (Required)

Description: Extended Validation Status
Poll: ’01 7B 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Extended validation status
Byte 3 - Number of data bytes to follow, in binary format.
Byte 4 ~ Byte 5 – Control Mask (Set bit to 1 to allow control of corresponding functions
in control bits) (should always be set to 0000)
Byte 6 – Byte 7 – Status Bit Control (Set Bit = 1 to enable function, 0 to disable function,
if corresponding mask bit=1) (should always be set to 0000)
Byte8 ~ Byte 9…Number of Days before cashable and hand pays receipts expire (0000 =
do not change, 9999 = never expire) (should always be set to 0000)
Byte 10 ~ Byte 11 Default number of days before restricted tickets expire (0000 = do not
change, 9999 = never expire) (should always be set to 0000)
Byte 12 ~ Byte 13… – 16-bit CRC
Response: ’01 7B 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 - Number of data bytes to follow, in binary format.
Byte 4 - Byte 7 – Gaming machine asset number or house ID*.
(Always report the MT VGMID #)
Byte 8 – Byte 9 – Status bits (Bit =1 if function currently enabled, 0 if function currently
disabled)
Byte 10 ~ Byte 11 – Cashable ticket and receipt expiration (Number of days before
cashable tickets and handpay expire (9999= never expire)
Byte 12 ~ Byte 13 – Restricted ticket default expiration (Default number of days before
restricted tickets expire (9999=never expire)
Byte 14 ~ Byte 15 – 16-bit CRC
*Required SAS Asset number cross reference is detailed in Section 4.1.
4.4.27 Command code: 7E (Required)
Description: Send Current Date and Time
Poll: ’01 7E’
Response: ’01 7E 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Date in MMDDYYYY format, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 9 – Time in HHMMSS 24-hour format, BCD format.
Byte 10 ~ Byte 11 – 16-bit CRC.

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4.4.28 Command code: A0 (Required)

Description: Send Enabled Features
Poll: ’01 A0’
Response: ’01 A0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 4 – Selected game number, ‘0000’ for gaming machine, BCD format.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 6 – Feature codes, reference table 4.5.36, binary format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 10 – Reserved for future use, ‘00000000’.
Byte 11 ~ Byte 12 – 16-bit CRC.
Table 4.5.36: Feature Codes
Byte Bit Description
LSB 0 – Jackpot multiplier 0 = Inactive, 1 = Active
1 – Reserved 0 (reserved)
2 – Bonus awards 0 = Inactive, 1 = Active
3 - Tournament 0 = Inactive, 1 = Active
4 - Reserved 0 (reserved)
5 ~ 6 – Validation style 00 = Standard
01 = System
10 = Enhanced
11 = reserved
7 – Voucher redemption 0 = Disabled, 1 = Enabled
MSB 0 ~ 1 – Meter model flag 00 = Meter model not specified
01 = Won credits metered when won
10 = Won credits metered when played or
paid
11 = reserved
2 – Vouchers to drop and 0 = Vouchers not included
cancelled credits 1 = Vouchers included
3 – Extended Meters 0 = Not Supported, 1 = Supported
4 – Component Authentication 0 = Not Supported, 1 = Supported
5 – Reserved 0 (reserved)
6 – Advanced Fund Transfer 0 = Not Supported, 1 = Supported
7 – Multi-denom Extensions 0 = Not Supported, 1 = Supported
4.4.29 Command code 7F (Required)
Description: Receive Date and Time
Poll: ’01 7F’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Date in MMDDYYYY format, BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 9 – Time in HHMMSS 24-hour format, BCD format.
Byte 10 ~ Byte 11 – 16-bit CRC.

Response: ’01’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.

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4.5 Multi-game Command

4.5.1 Command code: 2F (Required)
Description: Send Selected Meters for Game N
Poll: ’01 2F 00 00 00 00 00 … 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Selected meters for game N command code.
Byte 3 – Number of data bytes to follow, in binary format.
Byte 4 ~ Byte 5 – Selected game number, BCD format.
Byte 6 – Meter code* for the first requested meter, binary format.
Variable … – Additional meter codes* in binary, maximum of 10 meter-codes.
Byte… ~ Byte… – 16-bit CRC.
Response: ’01 2F 00 00 00 00 … 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 – Number of data bytes to follow, in binary format.
Byte 4 ~ Byte 5 – Selected game number, BCD format.
Byte 6 – Meter code* for the following meter, binary format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte... – Meter value, 4 or 5 bytes depending on meter, BCD format.
Byte… Additional meter code*, binary format.
Byte… ~ Byte… -- Additional meter value matching the meter code preceding it.
Byte... ~ Byte... – 16-bit CRC.
*Meter code value detailed in table C-7 of appendix C in the protocol specification
document.
Note: Only two meters are required by the State of Montana, meter codes 00 and 01.
All other meter codes are optional.
4.5.2 Command code: 51 (Required)
Description: Send Total Number of Games Implemented
Poll: ’01 51’
Response: ’01 51 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 4 – Number of games implemented on VGM, BCD format.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 6 – 16-bit CRC.
4.5.3 Command code: 52 (Required)
Description: Send Game N Meters
Poll: ’01 52 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 4 – Selected game number, BCD format.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 6 – 16-bit CRC.
Response: ’01 52 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.

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Byte 2 – Command code.

Byte 3 ~ Byte 4 – Selected game number, BCD format.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 8 – Coin in meter in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 9 ~ Byte 12 – Coin out meter in number of credits, BCD format.
Byte 13 ~ Byte 16 – Jackpot meter in number of credits, BCD format.
(Always zero in MT)
Byte 17 ~ Byte 20 – Games played meter, BCD format.
Byte 21 ~ Byte 22 – 16-bit CRC.
4.5.4 Command code: 53 (Required)
Description: Send Game N Configuration
Poll: ’01 53 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 4 – Selected game number, BCD format.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 6 – 16-bit CRC.
Response: ’01 53 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 4 – Selected game number, BCD format.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 6 – Game ID in ASCII format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 9 – Additional game ID in ASCII format. Pad with ASCII ‘0’ if none.
Byte 10 – Game denomination in binary format.
Byte 11 – Maximum bet for game N in binary format.
Byte 12 – Progressive group number in binary format.
Byte 13 ~ Byte 14 – Game options selected by the operator, binary format.
Byte 15 ~ Byte 20 – Pay table ID, ASCII format.
Byte 21 ~ Byte 24 – Theoretical base pay back percentage for max bet, ASCII format.
Byte 25 ~ Byte 26 – 16-bit CRC.
4.5.5 Command code: 55 (Required)
Description: Send Selected Game Number
Poll: ’01 55’
Response: ’01 55 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 4 – Selected game number in ASCII format. ‘0000’ if none selected.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 6 – 16-bit CRC.
4.5.6 Command code: 56 (Required)
Description: Send Enabled Game Numbers
Poll: ’01 56’
Response: ’01 56 00 00 00 00 … 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 – Length of data field, binary format.
Byte 4 – Number of games enabled, binary format.

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Byte 5 ~ Byte… – 2-byte game numbers of all enabled games in ASCII format.
Byte… ~ Byte… – 16-bit CRC.

4.6 Ticket Validation and Redemption

There are three ticket validation methods used in the SAS protocol, standard, enhanced
and system validation. The enhanced method is the method of choice for the state of
Montana.
Enhanced validation provides for a VGM generated 16-digit validation number. The
enhanced validation algorithm is described with example in section 15.15, page 15-25 of
the protocol specification document. To generate the enhanced validation number, the
VGM is required to maintain the VGM machine validation ID number and the validation
sequence number in non-volatile memory. The VGM shall use standard validation as its
default configuration. The VGM validation ID and the validation sequence number are
configured by the CMS. In the absence of a validation ID from the CMS, the VGM shall
halt and prevent game play. The VGM shall halt and prevent game play when it is
configured to Enhanced Validation and the validation buffer becomes full of unread
records.
This function shall be configurable in the VGM configuration menu.
Standard validation provides for a VGM generated 8-digit validation number. The
standard validation algorithm is described with example in section 15.14, page 15-24 of
the protocol specification document.
4.6.1 Command code: 4C (Required)
Description: Set Enhanced Validation ID
Poll: ’01 4C 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 5 – VGM validation ID number, binary format.
Byte 6 ~ Byte 8 – Starting sequence number, binary format.
Byte 9~ Byte 10 – 16-bit CRC.
Response: ’01 4C 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 5 – VGM validation ID number, binary format.
Byte 6 ~ Byte 8 – Current sequence number, binary format.
Byte 9~ Byte 10 – 16-bit CRC.
The host may use this command to retrieve current validation ID and sequence by setting
the VGM ID to zero in the poll. If the VGM is not configured for enhanced validation,
this command is ignored.
4.6.2 Command code: 4D (Required)
This long poll command is used in response to 2 exceptions reported by the VGM.
 For exception ‘3D’, cash out ticket has been printed.

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 For exception ‘3E’, hand pay has been validated.

Description: Send Enhanced Validation Information
Poll: ’01 4D 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – EGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Send enhanced validation information command code.
Byte 3 – Function code, binary format:
00 = read current validation information.
01~1F = Validation information from buffer index n.
FF = Look ahead at current validation information.
Byte 4~ Byte 5 – 16-bit CRC.
Response: ’01 4D 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 – Type of validation, binary format
Byte 4 – Buffer index number, binary format.
Byte 5 ~ Byte 8 – Validation date in MMDDYYYY format, BCD format.
Byte 9 ~ Byte 11 – Validation time in HHMMSS 24-hour format, BCD format.
Byte 12 ~ Byte 19 – Validation number (enhanced or system), BCD format.
Byte 20 ~ Byte 24 – Ticket/hand pay amount in units of cents, BCD format.
Byte 25 ~ Byte 26 – Sequential ticket number, roll over at 9999, binary format.
Byte 27 – Validation system ID, BCD format:
00 = Enhanced validation number calculated by the VGM.
01 ~ 99 = System ID code (indicate system validation).
Byte 28 ~ Byte 33 – Reserved, set all bytes to ‘00’.
Byte 34~ Byte 35 – 16-bit CRC.
Note: Only Validation Type Code “00” (Cashable ticket from cash out or win, no
hand pay lockup) is required for Montana.
4.6.3 Command code: 3D (Required)
Description: Send Cash Out Ticket Information
Poll: ’01 3D’
Response: ’01 3D 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 ~ Byte 6 – Standard validation number (calculated by VGM), BCD format.
Byte 7 ~ Byte 11 – Ticket amount in units of cents, BCD format.
Byte 12 ~ Byte 13 – 16-bit CRC.
If the EGM is configured for enhanced or system validation, the validation number
data field should be all zeros in the response.
4.6.4 Command code: 50 (Required)
Description: Send Validation Meters
Poll: ‘01 50 00 XX XX‘
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.

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Byte 2 – Command code.

Byte 3 – Type of validation (table 4.9.11), binary format.
Byte 4 ~ Byte 5 – 16-bit CRC.
Response: ’01 50 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX’
Byte 1 – VGM SAS address in binary format.
Byte 2 – Command code.
Byte 3 – Type of validation binary format.
Byte 4 ~ Byte 7 – Total number of validations of type, BCD format.
Byte 8 ~ Byte 12 – Cumulative validation amount in units of cents, BCD format.
Byte 13 ~ Byte 14 – 16-bit CRC.
Note: Only Validation Type Code “00” (Cashable ticket from cash out or win, no
hand pay lockup) is required for Montana.

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5 Post Notes
The purpose of this document is to specify required polling commands by the Montana
Gambling Control Division. The intent is to clarify any and all vagueness or ambiguity
in the protocol specification document. Should ambiguity or vagueness persist, consult
Montana GCD personnel before proceeding with implementation.

Modification of interpretation by Montana GCD will be published no later than 7 days

after such modification, and shall be effective immediately. New submission of the
protocol implementation shall follow the modified interpretation without exception.

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