Slot Accounting System Protocol
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`Slot Accounting System
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`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
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`GAMING
`STANDARDS
`ASSOCIATION
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`EVERI EX. 1025; Page 1
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`IGT's SAS Protocol
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`The Evolution of SAS
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`IGT pioneered gaming machine communications over 18 years ago with the introduction of the
`Slot Accounting System (SAS) protocol. Initially designed to automate slot machine meter
`reporting and event logging, SAS has steadily evolved over the years to meet the needs of the
`industry, including player tracking, bonusing, ticketing and cashless gaming.
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`Every version of the SAS protocol is fully backward compatible with any previous versions. If
`the system issues a command that the gaming machine does not recognize, the gaming machine
`will simply ignore the request. The protocol also directs the system to ignore any exceptions
`sent by the gaming machine that it does not understand. It is important to note that the gaming
`machine only needs to support those commands in a protocol version that are relevant to its
`operation. For example, video machines do not need to support reel tilt messages.
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`SAS 2 Versions
`The SAS 2 protocol provided the base functionality that all later versions incorporate.
`This includes basic meter accounting polls and basic exception reporting. Basic meter
`polls include coin in, coin out, coin drop, jackpot, cancelled credits, and games played as
`well as bill validator accounting meters. The basic exception reporting includes door
`open/closed, power on/off, drop door open/closed, and handpay jackpot events.
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`SAS 3 Versions
`The SAS 3 protocol added an early form of Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). The types
`of EFT supported included system downloads of cashable credits and non-cashable
`promotional credits. Uploads of cashable credits to the system were supported as well.
`EFT has since been replaced with a more robust form of funds transfer known as
`Advanced Funds Transfer (AFT).
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`SAS 4 Versions
`The SAS 4 protocol added multi-game accounting, bonusing, SAS controlled
`progressives, and real-time event reporting. The multi-game accounting allows the
`gaming machine to report accounting information for all playable games in the multi-
`game machine. Bonusing support includes mystery jackpots, wager matching, and other
`generic bonus types. Real-time event reporting provides faster reporting of exception
`events. SAS-hosted progressive broadcasts allow the system to act as a progressive
`controller for all machines connected to the system. This allows the system the flexibility
`to monitor and control different progressive amounts by machine bank and/or game type.
`Since the system is also the progressive host, progressive system monitoring and
`reconciliation is easier for the operator and the overseeing regulatory agency.
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`SAS 5 Versions
`The SAS 5 protocol added ticket in / ticket out (TITO) functionality. This functionality
`includes secure support for the generation and redemption of tickets at the gaming
`machine, as well as accounting meter support to properly report the total value and
`quantity of ticket transactions. SAS 5 also brought the addition of multi-denomination
`accounting (Version 5.02) and Advanced Funds Transfer (Version 5.10). Multi-
`denomination accounting provides enhanced reporting and accounting support for
`gaming machines with player-selectable credit values. AFT is IGT's modern, robust,
`secure protocol for transferring funds between a gaming machine and the system.
`Cashable funds transfer allows the casino to offer an in-house player debit card account,
`allowing the player to easily move funds from one machine to another. Cashable
`promotional and non-cashable promotional funds transfer and tracking capabilities
`support sophisticated casino promotions and player rewards. The system can even
`instruct the gaming machine to print a ticket for transferred funds, allowing special
`promotional awards or enhanced confirmation of delivery of funds.
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`SAS 6 Versions
`SAS 6 marks the beginning of true interoperability between casino systems and gaming
`machines. Representing a broad range of gaming industry manufacturers and operators,
`the Gaming Standards Association (GSA) adopted SAS 6 as a recognized
`communications standard for the industry in July of 2002. GSA has recently released an
`interoperability test suite to allow a manufacturer to certify their gaming machines as
`compliant with the SAS protocol.
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`SAS 6 on the Casino Floor
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`IGT gaming machines with SAS 6 support the following functionality:
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`Event Reporting
`The system can monitor door open and close events, tilts, handpay requests, printer paper
`low, and many other events that occur on a gaming machine.
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`Configuration Reporting
`The system can determine many characteristics of a gaming machine such as
`manufacturer, accounting denomination, player denominations, supported paytables, and
`which paytables and denominations are currently available to the player.
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`Gaming Machine Control
`A gaming machine can be disabled and re-enabled by the system while at idle.
`Optionally, the system can remotely reset hand pays, and determine whether a hand pay
`is allowed to be reset to the credit meter.
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`Accounting
`SAS 6 supports the full set of meters required by the newest Nevada Technical Standards,
`including all money in, money out, money wagered and money won meters. In addition,
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`all game play meters are available for each paytable and each denomination supported on
`the gaming machine.
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`System Bonusing
`System bonusing allows a casino to improve player loyalty and control promotional
`expenses through the use of spontaneous jackpots and incentives delivered to players
`directly at the gaming machines in addition to normal game win. Separate meters for
`paytable win, progressive win and system bonus win allow for detailed analysis of
`gaming machine performance.
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`Ticket In/Ticket Out (TITO)
`TITO allows a player to easily move money from one machine to another, generally
`without regard to a gaming machine's denomination or manufacturer. When the player
`cashes out, a bar-coded ticket is printed that can be inserted in the bill acceptor of another
`machine, or redeemed at a cashier or automated redemption kiosk. Players and casinos
`benefit from the freedom from the hassles of handling coin. Players no longer need to
`wait for hopper fills, and the casino can focus its energy on improving the players' overall
`experience.
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`Promotional ticketing allows a casino to print and mail out tickets to encourage players to
`visit the casino, or distribute tickets on the casino floor to attract new players or reward
`players for participating in a particular promotion. Promotional tickets can be either
`redeemable for cash or issued as "playable only" credits. With promotional ticket out, the
`player is not locked into playing only one machine.
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`Cashless
`Advanced Funds Transfer (AFT) is a secure technology for transferring funds between a
`gaming machine and a casino accounting system. Casinos can offer players in-house
`accounts tied to their player tracking accounts, so the player tracking card can work very
`much like a regular debit card. Not only can a player's cashable funds be moved from
`machine to machine, but all of the capabilities of promotional ticketing are also available
`using AFT. Promotional rewards can be delivered to a player directly at the gaming
`machine. The system can even instruct a gaming machine to print a promotional ticket
`usable in the restaurant or gift shop.
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`Availability and Support
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`SAS is available to all manufacturers in the industry and has become the de-facto casino
`communications standard. Any bona fide gaming machine manufacturer can obtain the SAS
`protocol by submitting an official written request on company letterhead and signing a standard
`non-disclosure agreement. IGT does not charge the gaming machine manufacturer for the SAS
`protocol. Included with the protocol documentation is a Windows based SAS host simulator,
`which assists the gaming machine vendor in implementing the protocol.
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`For system vendors, IGT has developed a standard set of terms and conditions for licensing the
`SAS protocol. These terms include a nominal licensing fee for utilizing the protocol in a gaming
`system, as well as standard non-disclosure terms. Once a system vendor executes the SAS
`licensing agreement, the appropriate IGT gaming machine models will be supplied to the system
`vendor to perform integration testing. IGT also guarantees in the licensing agreement that the
`SAS protocol will be supplied to any gaming machine manufacturer needing to connect their
`games to the vendor’s system.
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`IGT is dedicated to providing ongoing support to other manufacturers in their implementation of
`the SAS protocol, to help ensure the maximum in compatibility and security. You may request
`further information by sending an email to SASman@igt.com.
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