IGT back in slot group

Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005 | 11:10 a.m.

International Game Technology, the world's largest manufacturer of slot machines and a key player in the gaming systems industry, will rejoin the Gaming Standards Association, representatives of the company and the group said today.

IGT and the GSA said they would work together to combine the GSA's Best of Breed and IGT's SuperSAS computer protocols which would lead to an open industry standard that could generate new product development from a variety of manufacturers.

IGT broke ties with the GSA in June 2003, leaving several manufacturers with the choice of developing systems compatible with IGT's computer protocol or the open system advocated by the 7-year-old GSA.

"This convergence is truly a milestone in the evolution of gaming machines and systems," said Lyle Bell, chairman of the GSA. "GSA will be delighted to welcome IGT back into the group and focus on rapid adoption of the merged protocols over the next few months."

IGT Chairman T.J. Matthews called the move "a pivotal accomplishment for the future success of new products and systems that will shape the future of gaming worldwide."

The 60-member association also announced today that it has updated and simplified its intellectual property policy to bring it in line with other international standard-setting organizations.