| LAS VEGAS, Nov. 10, 1999 - The Gaming Manufacturers Association
(GAMMA) announced today that it has become a member of Hospitality Industry
Technology Integration Standards (HITIS), an initiative maintained by the
American Hotel Motel Association (AHMA) that may lead to the foundation
for the first communications standard linking the gaming and hospitality
industries.
Founded in 1910, AHMA is responsible for representing 11,000 properties
worldwide that make up the $93 billion lodging industry.
By joining HITIS and aligning itself with AHMA�s initiative, GAMMA also
agrees to an exchange of membership among HITIS� advisory committee and
GAMMA�s Board of Directors.
The HITIS Project�supported by such major sponsors as Microsoft Corporation,
Sun Microsystems, Marriott International, National Restaurant Association,
Carlson Hospitality Worldwide and The SABRE Group�is aimed at developing
common communications standards for hospitality information systems. Like
GAMMA, AHMA is interested in improving efficiencies and customer service
through the development and implementation of common computer communications
protocols. The HITIS standard will assist in the linking of everything
from in-room movies to restaurant charges.
�We will now be able to work together defining standard ways of exchanging
data within the hospitality industry as a whole, of which the gaming industry
is an important part,� GAMMA Chairman Peter De Raedt said. �This agreed
standard will facilitate communications between the various host systems
all the way to the gaming devices, triggering a whole new world of features
in the gaming industry that we have never seen before.�
GAMMA is a non-profit international association of gaming manufacturers
whose mission is to define, promote and control communication standards
for gaming equipment. Since its incorporation on May 6, 1998, GAMMA has
grown to 31 members representing a wide cross section of leading manufacturers
and suppliers. Platinum Members include Acres Gaming, Adspace Networks,
Aristocrat, Atronic Casino Technology, Mandalay Resort Group, Harrah�s
Entertainment Inc., International Game Technology and WMS Gaming. Other
members include Asahi Seiko USA; Austrian Gaming Industries (Novomatic);
Bally Gaming and Systems; CashCode; Casino Management Association; European
Gaming Organization; FriedbergAssociates; Gaming Systems International,
Global Payment Technologies; GRIPS Systems; JCM American Corporation; Lodging
and
Gaming Systems; Mars Electronics International; Mikohn Gaming; Powerhouse
Technologies; RadiSys; Sierra Design Group, Sigma Game; Silicon Gaming;
Symbol Technologies; Unidesa; the UNLV Gaming Institute and Weaver Fuller
Dyer.
|
