Gaming briefs for June 25, 2003

Wednesday, June 25, 2003 | 11:24 a.m.

Firm leaves standards group

International Game Technology has resigned from the Gaming Standards Association due to differences of opinion over revisions to the association's patent policy, the GSA said.

The GSA, whose members include major casino companies as well as slot makers and equipment manufacturers, aims to create technology standards that will make it easier for developers to create equipment that can be used in casinos worldwide.

The GSA board of directors met June 13 to vote on revisions to the patent policy.

"The intent of the revision is to encourage full and prompt disclosure by GSA members of information regarding the existence of patent rights that may impact our standards-setting activities," said Gregg Solomon, senior vice president of operations for Mandalay Resort Group and GSA chairman.

The organization also has added members in the last three months, including Alliance Gaming Sales BV of the Netherlands and GameTech International. Others include Cyberview Technology Inc., Cadillac Jack's, Giesecke & Devrient America Inc. and Glory USA Inc.

Small casino opens

CARSON CITY -- Patron's of Carson City's largest hotel-casino can now hoist a brew and play the slots while renovation work continues.

Ormsby House officials earlier this month opened the Winchester Club, a 5,000-square-foot, 122-slot casino in one corner of the hotel-casino's parking garage.

Opening the small casino was a move to generate income while renovation work continued, general manager Larry Tiller said. It also gives former regulars a place to go.

"This is great to get something open and go in the right direction," Tiller said. "Most everyone that walks in likes the place."

The casino opened June 11 with a bar and slot machines, but no table games.

There is no estimate when the Ormsby House will reopen. The 10-story hotel-casino has been closed since November 2000 for reconstruction.

Since its closure, the Ormsby House has been gutted.

"There's nothing in that building over there but windows, concrete and elevators," Tiller said.

Owners Al Fiegehen and Don Lehr bought the Ormsby House in 1999 and originally planned to keep it open during renovation. But the project became bigger than they had anticipated, and closing was necessary.