WMS Networked Gaming Solutions Advance Commercialization of Casino Evolved Vision

WMS’ WAGE-NET networked gaming solution is based on open architecture using industry standard communication protocols developed by the Gaming Standards Association (GSA) and is designed to be fully interoperable with other systems developed in compliance with GSA standards. The WAGE-NET system is a suite of platform technologies and system applications that aim to increase the revenue generating capabilities and operational efficiency of casino gaming floors. The WAGE-NET Portal platform enhances the player entertainment experience and includes both a Central Game Controller™ (“CGC”) server distribution application and the FreedomPort™ network display interface. WMS will also be reviewing with casino customers its suite of comprehensive business services which are integral to the planning, implementation and support of networked gaming products.

At G2E, WMS will demonstrate several system applications utilizing advanced technologies and platforms to deliver new content that creates dynamic player entertainment experiences and drives increased revenue opportunities for casino operators. For the first phase of its Portal application roll-out, WMS will debut its first four distinct series of Portal applications –- Ultra Hit Progressive®, Metascreen™, Mega Multiplier® and Winners Share™. WMS expects to begin commercializing the first of these applications on banks of WMS gaming machines in calendar 2010. These Portal applications reflect WMS’ long-standing commitment to create unique software applications that allow casino operators to harness the power enabled by networked gaming to advance their slot floors towards a server-enabled Casino Evolved environment, product-by-product and slot-bank-by-slot-bank. At G2E 2009, WMS also will demonstrate next-generation versions of its Remote Configuration and Download (“RCD”) platform and its Account Based Wagering and Patron Services enterprise-level networked gaming platforms.

Brian R. Gamache, chairman and chief executive officer of WMS, commented, “Our WAGE-NET networked gaming solutions reflect our continued and well-recognized commitment to support industry interoperability and simplify life for casino operators as they transition their slot floors to networked enterprises. We have a networked gaming product development roadmap that facilitates the delivery of unique game enablement applications and extends our great content in new directions. Our ‘Culture of Innovation’ combined with our product-by-product, bank-by-bank and longer-term floor-wide deployment strategy has created solutions designed to increase revenues and operating efficiencies, while simultaneously providing slot players with heightened levels of gaming entertainment. As a result of our multi-stage plan for commercializing Portal applications across the casino enterprise, we have a well-defined rollout plan for new server-based solutions that benefits both casino operators and players.

“The phenomenal success of our server-enabled foundational technology platforms: Sensory Immersion Gaming, Community Gaming®, Transmissive Reels® technology and Adaptive Gaming®, as well as our network-ready Bluebird®2 gaming cabinet, clearly demonstrate that WMS is an industry leader in innovation and in commercializing the next-generation products that provide casino operators with differentiated server-based solutions to enhance the earnings potential of slot machines. In addition, the introduction this year of Bluebird xD™, our new category-creating gaming cabinet that takes full advantage of networked gaming capabilities, illustrates WMS’ continued focus on creating innovative, solution-based advanced gaming platforms. Further down the road, yet already in advanced stages of development, is our WAGE-NET 3.0 solution that adds our Account Based Wagering and Patron Services platforms to the RCD and Portal platforms to further push forward the evolution of the casino enterprise, bringing new levels of player enhancements and operating efficiencies.”

WAGE-NET 2.0 – The First Portal Application Families

With the four existing foundational technology platforms in place, WMS’ Portal applications on WAGE-NET 2.0 are the next phase of the Company’s Future Ready initiative. It consists of unique software applications that deliver new, dynamic player entertainment experiences. At G2E 2009, WMS will debut its initial families of Portal applications for banked WMS games, each of which adds unique player experiences to the base slot game. Each of the first four Portal families debuting at G2E – Ultra Hit Progressive, Metascreen, Mega Multiplier and Winners Share – will feature unique themes and offer differentiated game play mechanics and player features that will continue to evolve.

The first family of portal applications to be introduced in WMS’ networked gaming 2.0 phase, Ultra Hit Progressive (“UHP”), is based on a mystery triggered, multi-level progressive architecture. The gaming application leverages the Central Game Controller to create for the first time an integrated experience between the base game and progressive jackpots. By creating this integrated second game dynamic, WMS believes the life of the base game will be extended.

At G2E 2009, WMS will showcase the first two themes in the UHP Portal family – Jackpot Explosion® and Piggy Bankin’™ games. The Jackpot Explosion game features a four-level jackpot with a host of configurable options. All players experience the anticipation as the lava rises up the screen as coin-in builds and the jackpots increase. When the progressive jackpot hits, one player is shown the big win and the volcano dramatically erupts. With the Piggy Bankin’ UHP theme, as coins pile in, the piggy bank grows bigger and bigger until it finally shakes and cracks open under the strain when the progressive hits. Both themes feature innovative audio and visual entertainment as the jackpot grows, which is designed to attract attention and invite even more players to the games.

“Our innovative Portal applications bring new, dynamic entertainment experiences to slot players and allow casino operators to further optimize the gaming equipment investments that they already have made,” said Orrin J. Edidin, president of WMS. “Each family of Portal applications for banked WMS products offers entirely distinct, new levels of player entertainment. Each family also furthers WMS’ goal to provide software applications that allow casino operators to leverage the benefits of networked gaming and advance their slot floors towards a server-enabled Casino Evolved environment.”

WAGE-NET 3.0 – The Next Evolution in Managing the Casino Enterprise

The newest innovations of the Company’s enterprise-level WAGE-NET platforms – the Account Based Wagering System (ABWS) and GamEdge™ solution – will also be on display at G2E. ABWS is a robust cashless network system and the GamEdge platform is WMS’ focused loyalty management and patron services application. In the new “Cabana” section of its booth, WMS will demonstrate how combining ABWS, which provides numerous benefits arising from its real-time, centralized transaction approach, with the ability to deploy patron services and the analytical applications of its GamEdge™ solution can personalize the gaming experience while enhancing player entertainment and retention.

WMS Establishes New Networked Gaming Operations Division

To complement and support the innovative technologies that comprise its WAGE-NET system, WMS is broadening its commitment to partner with casino operators and facilitate the process to network-enable their casino floors. Along with expanding the Company’s infrastructure and deploying a new Networked Gaming Operations division – dedicated to the planning, deploying and providing service support for WAGE-NET – the Company is establishing a Networked Gaming Engineers (“NGE”) group and a Business Systems Analysts (“BSA”) group. Beginning with WMS’ proprietary Site Survey tool, which assesses the customer’s process/business and technology readiness, the NGE and BSA groups will conduct all of the steps in the process of implementing networked gaming on the casino floor including pre-install site survey, order entry, installation and compliance. In addition, WMS is establishing affiliate programs with leading technology companies which will allow casino operators to leverage their existing technology infrastructure and easily identify the hardware and software packages that best fit their networked gaming needs.

Edidin concluded, “WMS is focused on making the transition to the Casino Evolved future as easy as possible for casino operators. We remain firmly committed to a truly interoperable solution based on industry standard protocols, as we believe interoperability will be an important driver to the successful industry-wide adoption and collaboration of networked gaming functionality. Our open-system-based advanced technologies and business processes create value-enriching partnerships between the casino operator and WMS. From the physical game and enhanced player experiences to casino enterprise enhancing technologies, WMS is successfully executing on a comprehensive plan that allows casino operators to implement networked gaming solutions and to benefit from our Player Driven Innovation™ focus.”

Product names mentioned in this release are trademarks of WMS, except for the following:

G2E is a registered trademark of the American Gaming Association and Reed Elsevier, Inc. Used with permission.

About WMS Industries

WMS is engaged in serving the gaming industry worldwide by designing, manufacturing and marketing video and reel-spinning gaming machines, video lottery terminals, and in gaming operations, which consists of the placement of leased participation gaming machines in legal gaming venues. More information on WMS can be found at www.wms.com.

Source: WMS Industries Inc.

Media
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