G2S
GAME TO SYSTEM PROTOCOL
NOT ALL
GAMING PROTOCOLS
ARE CREATED EQUAL
Some are rooted in the past.
Only one prepares you for the future.
From the Thinkers at
Gaming Standards Association
NOT ALL GAMING PROTOCOLS
ARE CREATED EQUAL
GSA Game-to-System Protocol
The Gaming Standards Association’s Game-to-System Protocol (G2S) unlocks the power of
networked gaming and revolutionizes the way information is exchanged between gaming
devices and back of house computer systems. Full adoption and deployment of G2S not only
allows host gaming systems to communicate directly with games and players, but ultimately
allows operators to eliminate unnecessary hardware components and middleware, saving
millions in capital.
Based on proven computer industry technologies, such as Ethernet, TCP/IP and XML, the
G2S protocol supports many advanced features, such as software download and remote
configuration, picture-in-picture player messaging, and EGM-based player tracking. G2S helps
create an agile floor that gives operators the ability to quickly adjust to changing business
requirements and new opportunities. The G2S protocol also includes Transport Layer Security
(TLS) for protecting critical data and G2S is the only protocol that provides remote access to
GAT, the widely accepted standard for software authentication of gaming machines and
peripheral devices.
For fifteen years more than 1,600 of the brightest software engineers from the most
experienced companies in the gaming industry have collaborated to create GSA’s protocols;
not only to provide the most advanced, open communications protocol for gaming devices,
but to ensure the highest quality and most secure standards in the world.
We invite you to contact us directly for more information about G2S as well as the entire suite of
protocols developed by the Gaming Standards Association.
Ethan Tower
Protocol Director
Gaming Standards Association
2
Functional Comparison of GSA’s Game-to-System Protocol (G2S) and SAS
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
G2S
G2S CLASS NAME
NATIVE FUNCTIONALITY
Multi-Host Communications
Communications Configuration
Meter Subscriptions & Reporting
Event Subscriptions & Reporting
ID Reader Management
Player Tracking
Employee Tracking
Picture-In-Picture Player Messaging
Direct Funds Transfer
✔
Game Play Management
Note Acceptor Management
Coin Acceptor Management
Hopper Management
Handpay Management
Server-Based Bonusing
Progressive Jackpots
Ticket-In-Ticket-Out
Printer Management
Wagering Account Transfer
Mystery Jackpots
Overall Cabinet Management
Software Authentication
Slot Tournaments
✔
Software Download
Remote Option Configuration
Game Theme Configuration
Hardware Component Reporting
Data Storage Reporting
Central Determination
Forced Cash-Outs
Persisted Audit Meters
Jackpot Sign Management
Stand-Alone Progressive Management
Responsible Gaming Enforcement
Smart Card Management
Note Dispenser Management
✔
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✔
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✔
SAS
ACHIEVABLE WITH SMIB
communications
commConfig
meters
eventHandler
idReader
player
employee
mediaDisplay
dft
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
gamePlay
noteAcceptor
coinAcceptor
hopper
handpay
bonus
progressive
voucher
printer
wat
mystery
cabinet
gat
tournament
LIMITED
LIMITED
LIMITED
LIMITED
LIMITED
LIMITED
LIMITED
LIMITED
LIMITED
LIMITED
LIMITED
LIMITED
LIMITED
LIMITED
download
optionConfig
gameTheme
hardware
storage
central
cashout
auditMeters
sign
spc
informedPlayer
smartCard
noteDispenser
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
3
G2S PROTOCOL
CLASS NAME
COMMUNICATION
COMMCONFIG
Multi-Host Communications
G2S — Used to establish and manage TCP/IP communication channels between an EGM and multiple G2S
hosts; point-to-point and multicast.
SAS — Equivalent functionality must be provided by a SMIB.
Communications Configuration
G2S — Used to identify the hosts with which an EGM should communicate and to set the device access permissions for those hosts.
SAS — Equivalent functionality must be provided by a SMIB.
METERS
Meter Subscriptions & Reporting
G2S — Used to set meter subscriptions (end-of-day, periodic, drop, door open, snapshot, etc.), which are sent
when the associated trigger points occur. Can also be used to poll for meters.
SAS — Equivalent functionality must be provided by a SMIB.
EVENTHANDLER
Event Subscriptions & Reporting
G2S — Used to set subscriptions to events and associated data, such as meters, device status, and log entries,
which is sent with the events when they occur.
SAS — Equivalent functionality must be provided by a SMIB.
IDREADER
ID Reader Management
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.
SAS — Equivalent functionality must be provided by a SMIB.
PLAYER
Player Tracking
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.
SAS — Equivalent functionality must be provided by a SMIB.
EMPLOYEE
Employee Activity Reporting
G2S — Used to track meter movements while an employee is present at an EGM. Can be used to report activity
codes entered by an employee while at an EGM.
SAS — Equivalent functionality must be provided by a SMIB.
MEDIADISPLAY
DFT
4
FEATURES & DIFFERENCES / G2S vs SAS
Picture-In-Picture Player Messaging
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.
SAS — Equivalent functionality must be provided by a SMIB.
Direct Funds Transfer
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 slot tournament fees.
SAS — Equivalent functionality must be provided by a SMIB.
G2S PROTOCOL
CLASS NAME
FEATURES & DIFFERENCES / G2S vs SAS
GAMEPLAY
Game Play Management
G2S — Used to enable/disable individual games and denominations. Provides access to game recall and
outcome logs.
SAS — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB.
NOTEACCEPTOR
Note Acceptor Management
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 — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB.
COINACCEPTOR
Coin Acceptor Management
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 — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB.
HOPPER
HANDPAY
Hopper Management
G2S — Used to report activity associated with coin hoppers, such as tilts, faults, and hopper door access.
Supports multiple currencies as well as configurable exchange rates.
SAS — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB.
Handpay Management
G2S — Used to report large wins and cancel credits that exceed configurable machine 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 — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB.
BONUS
Server-Based Bonusing
G2S — Used to award server-determined bonuses to players. Includes EGM-managed wager match and jackpot
multiplier bonuses. Awards can be paid to the credit meter, handpays, vouchers, or wagering accounts.
SAS — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB
PROGRESSIVE
Progressive Jackpots
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, handpays, or vouchers. Contribution meters help simplify
controller implementations and reconciliations.
SAS — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB.
VOUCHER
Ticket-In-Ticket-Out
G2S — Used to manage the issuance and redemption of cash-out and promotional tickets. Supports offline
ticket issuance. Includes a method for validating tickets printed while an EGM was offline.
SAS — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB.
PRINTER
Printer Management
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.
SAS — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB unless dual-port or
external printers are installed.
5
G2S PROTOCOL
CLASS NAME
WAT
Wagering Account Transfer
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.
SAS — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB.
MYSTERY
Mystery Jackpots
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, handpays, vouchers, or wagering accounts.
Contribution meters help simplify controller implementations and reconciliations.
SAS — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB.
CABINET
Overall Cabinet Management
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 the entire EGM, or selectively by game play or money in.
Supports remote processor reset, remote master reset, operating hours, and timezone changes.
SAS — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB.
GAT
Software Authentication
G2S — Used to request the inventory of software components on an EGM and its peripheral devices and then
to calculate software signatures for those components.
SAS — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB.
TOURNAMENT
Slot Tournaments
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.
SAS — Due to SAS limitations, only a subset of G2S functionality can be provided by a SMIB.
DOWNLOAD
Software Download
G2S — Used to download and install software on an EGM and its peripheral devices, such as printers and note
acceptors.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
OPTIONCONFIG
GAMETHEME
HARDWARE
6
FEATURES & DIFFERENCES / G2S vs SAS
Remote Option Configuration
G2S — Used to remotely configure the protocol-related and manufacturer-specific options for an EGM.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
Game Theme Configuration
G2S — Used to configure theme-related options that are shared amongst multiple games within an EGM.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
Hardware Component Reporting
G2S — Used to report the list of hardware components installed within an EGM as well as the capabilities
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
G2S PROTOCOL
CLASS NAME
FEATURES & DIFFERENCES / G2S vs SAS
STORAGE
Data Storage Reporting
G2S — Used to determine the amount of storage available on an EGM for storing and installing software
packages.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
CENTRAL
Central Determination
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.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
CASHOUT
Forced Cash-Outs
G2S — Used to remotely initiate a full or partial cash-out on an EGM.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
AUDITMETERS
Persisted Audit Meters
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.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
SIGNS
Jackpot Sign Management
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.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
SPC
INFORMEDPLAYER
SMARTCARD
NOTEDISPENSER
Stand-Alone Progressive Management
G2S — Used to remotely configure internal stand-alone progressive jackpots within an EGM and to report
jackpot values and resets.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
Responsible Gaming Enforcement
G2S — Used to access various controls available in the EGM to promote responsible gaming including game
speed, maximum bet, continuous play, PIN activation, etc.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
Smart Card Management
G2S — Used to manage and report transactions associated with smart cards. Allows application data to be
relayed to and verified by host systems. Includes secure transaction module status information.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
Note Dispenser Management
G2S — Used to report activity associated with note dispensers, such as tilts, faults, and dispenser door access.
Supports multiple currencies as well as configurable exchange rates.
SAS — Not possible through the SAS protocol.
7
GSA STANDARDS
G2S
Game to System
PUI
Player User Interface
GAT
Game Authentication Terminal
OGS
Online Gaming Standard
GDS
Gaming Device Standard
S2S
System to System
GSA MEMBERS
PLATINUM
SILVER
Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.
Austrian Gaming Industries
International Game Technology
Konami Gaming, Inc.
Ontario Lottery and Gaming
Corporation
Playtech PLC
Scientific Games
Sega Sammy Creation Inc.
Ainsworth Game Technology Ltd.
Appolonia
BMM Testlabs
Combination AB
ComTrade Gaming
CPI - Crane Payment Innovations
eBet Gaming Systems Pty Ltd
adp Gauselmann Gmbh
GLI
Inspired Gaming Group
Loto Quebec
MaxGaming
Ortiz Machine Company, LLC
RAY
Transact Technologies
GOLD
Atlantic Lottery Corporation
British Columbia Lottery (BCLC)
Casinos Austria AG
Intralot S.A.
Isle of Capri Casinos
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
Multimedia Games
Oregon Lottery
WCLC - Western Canada
Lottery Corp
BRONZE
Amtek Corporation Pty Ltd
APEX Pro Gaming a.s.
Ascend Solutions Sdn Bhd
Casino Technology AD
eCash Pty Ltd
Fortunet, Inc
Gamblit Gaming, LLC
Grand Vision Gaming
Interblock USA
JCM Global
Jumbo Technology Co. Ltd
Kobetron
LT Game
Nidec Sankyo Corporation
Seminole Tribe of Florida
U1 Gaming
AFFILIATE
European Casino Association
GTA
Macao Polytechnic Institute
Macau Gaming Equipment
Manufacturers Association
Multi-State Lottery Association
Radical Blue Gaming
Random Consulting
Seoul National University of Science
and Technology
UNLV
FREEDOM AND POWER TO DO WHAT YOU WANT
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