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Cash handling
Rowan McIntyre looks at a selection of great product from cash handling experts catering for the casino industry
Never is cash handling technology such an important part of the casino operators’ arsenal as during turbulent economic times. As customers around the world feel the pinch of the global economic crisis, a number of alternative strategies have been suggested for ensuring revenue levels are maintained.
One approach that has been suggested in some circles is a greater flexibility in minimum and maximum bets on gaming machines. The idea goes that if the minimum bet is lowered – rather than as being seen as a low-rent alternative, players will look upon the machine as providing greater value. This means that client may spend more time on the machines, potentially increasing machine-take, but certainly offering a greater opportunity to raise their non-gaming spend. It’s been reported that this approach has already led to positive results in some European casinos.
Whether there is long-term value in the plan is, as far as the remit of this article is concerned, irrelevant. What is important is that casino operators are aware of the products offered by the cash-handling sector, which – together with the increasingly adaptable software produced by the slot manufacturers – offer them the flexibility to experiment with their revenue streams.
There follows a round-up of the latest products on the market for use in a variety of roles within the cash-handling sector. Even in a necessarily limited survey such as this, what is still encouraging is the sheer range of products on offer. There are ticket in/ticket out solutions – mainly still for the US market (a situation that seems to be changing as European casinos gradually embrace ticket-based systems) – as well as all cash devices. Then there are machines that combine previously diverse applications: cash and ticket dispensing, note validating and recycling, cash counting and sorting. And finally there are offerings to suit all budgets and locations; there’s something for everybody.
Cashcode
The r2 Recycler and Payout Dispenser is the result of a joint venture between Crane Payment Solutions partners CashCode and National Rejectors Inc. Designed for the European slot machine market, it not only acts as a traditional bank note validator, but also recycles the notes to make them available as either change or more importantly, a payout option. of banknotes in either 5, 10 or 20 euro denominations.
This means that in markets such as Germany and Spain where hand payouts are not allowed and the ensuing refilling of coin hoppers by hand for payout purposes has had quite a negative impact due to machine downtime. The ability to pay out notes, in denominations up to 20 in a cost effective manner reduces or even eliminates hopper depletion, that many operators experience today. In addition, the product saves on labour costs. Operators do not need to visit and replenish cash dispensers since the unit is self-replenishing.
In addition to this dispensing scenario, the machine can also be set up to provide change.re a maximum play amount is implemented, the machine can provide change back in the form of bills so that the slot machine can still accept higher denomination bills. So if the maximum play is €10, normally a player would first need to break a €20 bill for example. With the r2, the player would receive either two 5€ bills or one €10 bill back so that playing could begin immediately.
In conclusion, the r2 helps prevent hoppers from being depleted prematurely during a payout thereby increasing playtime and overall player satisfaction. It can also increase revenue, by accepting notes up to €50, and paying change with €10 or €20 notes. Not only that, but the unit is also adaptable to note design changes and validation software updates are quick and easy with CashCode’s BlueChip smart-stick memory that can update software and firmware quickly and easily.
HERMES Softlab
HERMES SoftLab has identified sees two problems for gaming machine manufacturers and operators and offers a solution for each.
As we all know, note and coin validator vendors tend to publish new firmware and software regularly throughout the year. These updates mainly tackle the introduction of new bills, offer bug fixes and, from time to time, include additional functionalities and improvements. For this reason, it is vital that casino, arcade and street gaming operators commit to the updates of acceptor devices several times during a given year. This can, however prove problematic.
Perhaps inevitably, some updates introduce incompatibilities with older versions of the same software and this can create problems with the smooth running of the software and, more importantly, incur potentially costly downtime.
Not only that, but they can take some time to install and may cause additional problems with their host gaming machines, including ram-clear and system reconfiguration. Also many different types of acceptor in a single venue can create multiple technical problems, which in turn means that casino gaming machine vendors have to constantly verify that all deployed versions still work with their existing equipment.
So, in an ever-expanding business machine vendors, as well as operators, have to continuously adjust their software to compliment the latest changes to note validator firmware as well as maintaining the present collection of supported devices. Keeping up to date with new devices and the customer support on offer is also essential in dealing with new customers. The lack of standardisation in this area does not make a machine vendor’s life any easier.
“G2S, or the Games 2 System, is one answer to the problems caused by firmware updates to note acceptor and other peripherals,” says Ales Gornjec, Business Development Manager for Gaming at HERMES SoftLab, who is responsible for 80 plus engineers in the field of slot machines, casino management, sports betting and online poker software. “Through its download capabilities, the new version of peripheral firmware could potentially be deployed effectively with very little effort. For those jurisdictions that require a more demanding verification process, we would suggest using the G2S GAT class to verify versions of installed peripheral firmware.
“Casino gaming machine vendors could also benefit by using HERMES SoftLab’s device driver component which supports a wide range of devices and firmware versions. This approach could potentially reduce time to market and cut device driver maintenance costs, giving vendors more opportunity to concentrate on developing other areas of the business.”
GPT
While ticket payment systems do solve some of the problems associated with operating gaming machines, such as ensuring there is always enough cash in the hoppers to cover larger wins, they can also present problems of their own. Gaming venue owners often lose valuable revenue because of the long queues that can develop in front of cashier windows as customers look to cash in winning tickets. This can lead to reduced playing time for those customers as well as an increased level of dissatisfaction for those caught at the end of a particularly long queue.
The Cash Redemption Terminal (CRT) has been designed by ecash in order to help site owners reduce the time it takes customers to cash their winning, while addressing the obvious security concerns that abound in such areas. It is a fully automated ticket redemption system, design expressly for cashless gaming environments. It uses a unique, industry-first feature which allows the unit to accept barcode tickets which have been entered into the machine in all four directions: that is ticket up, ticket down and in all orientations.
In addition, to maximise security, the CRT is designed with four secure, lockable cash cassettes and four coin hoppers to deliver the gaming venue owner maximum flexibility with regards payout denomination. Other security features include a digital time lock delay controlled safe and a separate, secure locked compartment for rejected notes.
The machine is designed with a small footprint (less than half a metre wide) to fit into what may have been considered previously dead space on the casino floor and home to nothing more than a plant pot previously. Its stylish design features a large, customer friendly, colour touch screen that will integrate well into all gaming venues and offers the option of increased revenues through advertising with the addition of an LED matrix sign.
As a final, added benefit, the CRT is not only a ticket redemption system, but can also be used as a change machine, breaking notes for customers, again taking pressure off the cashiers’ windows.
MEI
MEI is introducing a new product to its portfolio: the GEO Gravity. Given the success of MEI’s previous offering to casino operators, the CASHFLOW SC, the introduction of the GEO Gravity provides a similar level of increased performance for smaller scale casinos and street arcade operators. One of the most welcome features, given the current economic climate is the fact that the GEO Gravity effectively balances performance and price – expanding expectations for acceptance rates, security and jam performance in a market segment where MEI has not historically participated.
The new GEO Gravity is a multiwidth, stackerless bill validator that allows operators of amusement and street gaming machines to profit from the value MEI creates. The GEO Gravity has been designed as a market-entry note reader. This is the ideal solution where machine dimensions do not allow the CASHFLOW SC to be fitted but where an appropriate level of performance is still expected.
Proven MEI technology is the core of GEO. The product line is built upon algorithms that have been enhanced based on decades of experience and driven superior performance in the CASHFLOW SC. “We’re excited about adding GEO Gravity to our offering,” said Mark Greenawalt, vice president of Retail and Gaming at MEI for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
“We will be able to show a new group of customers how MEI products can improve profitability by increasing machine uptime, enhancing the player experience and, ultimately, creating more revenue.
“GEO will join CASHFLOW SC in the MEI family of innovative solutions. The result is an expanded ability to match each customer with a product that is ideal for its intended environment.” Several notesets have already been developed for GEO Gravity. Other currencies are currently in development.
Innovative Technology
Innovative Technology Ltd has proudly announced the launch of their latest innovation the SMART Hopper. Ideal for all machines, the SMART Hopper eliminates the need for multiple hoppers and coin sorters as well as reducing the cost of handling coins internally. A high speed, high security, multi coin payout unit capable of accepting all coins passed through the coin mechanism, the SMART Hopper collects, discriminates and stores coins for future payout.
“The SMART Hopper brings coin payment technology into the 21st Century. A true multi coin hopper and a new solution to coin starvation has arrived,” says Aidan Towey, Managing Director of Innovative Technology.
Operating at an industry leading 12 coins per second the SMART Hopper will revolutionize coin payment technology. The host machine can set the desired coin values needed for payout and transfers all other values straight to the cashbox. Prior to collection the SMART Hopper transfers the excess coins to the cash box, leaving the desired float in the SMART Hopper. This self-regulating float ensures the host machine is able to payout as necessary while easing operator refill and collection.
In order to increase customer comfort, the SMART Hopper pays out at a physically higher level than conventional hoppers so customers no longer have to reach down to retrieve coins. This higher payout also increases security and allows for a change in the design of the machine. With inbuilt security features such as eSSP, a single coin entry point and modulated coin exit sensor, operators can have faith in the SMART Hopper’s anti fraud mechanisms.
Ideal for all coin payment applications the SMART Hopper is recommended for AWP, Gaming, Self Serve & Retail, Vending, Kiosk, Casino, Ticketing and Parking applications. Maintaining Innovative Technology’s philosophy the SMART Hopper is competitively priced for its advanced level of functionality and technology.
“A high speed, high security multi coin hopper the SMART Hopper has the ability to payout coins at a speed of 12 coins per second from up to 11 different denominations. With its self regulating float and large volume coin capacity the SMART Hopper sets new standards for coin payment technology,” concludes Aidan Towey.
Hess
Hess has brought two new products to the market to assist on the casino floor. Firstly, the HESS Bill Breaker allows customers to change large banknote denominations into smaller denominations in order to be able to insert in the right amount into gaming devices.
This means there is no need to go to the cash desk which leads to customers queuing rather than playing the machines. Not only that, but reliability is not an issue as the HESS Bill breaker is manufactured with the best components available on the market and assures a trouble-free operation.
For the operator there is an easy-to-use 16 button keyboard for entering refills, checking audits etc. accessible by opening top audit door which has no access to any cash. There is a full audit trail, including all notes-in by denomination and total; a notes-out total; notes-in history and two dispense cassette float amounts. Audits are available for on screen viewing or printing via the printer port.
Second up from Hess is the Express Series Currency Counter HE 303 an ingeniously developed and robust counter that combines a normal currency counter with a fully functional currency sorter in one unit. This is a currency counter that can be used in normal applications, to count banknotes in a teller’s counter, or in demanding applications such as ATM loading, fitness sorting, mixed deposits or value balancing and dispensing.
Its array of detectors ensures that the notes processed are genuine and categorized according to their exact parameters. Notes processed wind up in one of the three fully configurable pockets, depending on their value, condition, face, orientation or authenticity. A key-press is only required to select the desired function of the HE 303.
The advanced configuration and design of the HE 303 enables the operation of the machine in three different configurable modes of operation, at the press of a key. These are:
• Normal and value counter – the unit simply counts the total of acceptable notes processed and displays their value and/or total piece-count. The unit can also be used as a dispensing value counter, with the second stacker rejecting the rogue denominations or normal rejects.
• Denomination sorter – the machine separates the notes according to their value, or face and orientation. This mode of operation enhances the ‘counting’ uses of a normal counter.
• Condition sorter – The condition-sorting mode enables the unit to perform functions and fulfill requirements usually only available in sorting machines. Sorting preset levels increase the performance and the security, while maintaining the efficiency and ease of use.
NCR
NCR has a suite of cash handling products to help casino operators and manufacturers. To lead off, the NCR SelfServ ATM/TITO Jackpot kiosk enables players to purchase gaming tickets for use on any slot machine and redeem their winnings in cash once they have finished playing.
Meanwhile, the NCR SelfServ Cash Office solution automates the process of dispensing and depositing banknotes and coin floats, which speeds up the start and end-of-day cash reconciliation processes. This also increases accuracy and improves security as the cash is counted in the closed unit and not in an open environment.
Finally, NCR’s Near Field Communications technology makes it easier to get information, to pay for goods and services, to use transport and to share data using a mobile phone or device. Payment and ticketing applications were one of the first drivers for the creation of the NFC (near field communications) standard. NFC enables smartcard payment and smart ticketing scenarios allowing NFC-enabled devices to be used as a ‘mobile wallet’. Consumers may use their NFC-enabled devices as their travel cards, event tickets or credit cards. Ultimately this could replace the myriad of credit, debit, loyalty, pre-paid and other cards that people carry in their wallets today.
Suzo Happ
Suzo happ has an extended selection of products to cover a range of cash handling solutions. These include:
The Escendo Hopper
The ideal solution when coin payout has to be diverted upwards in the machine. For example, in slant top slots it has always been a challenge to divert the coins upwards. The positioning of the monitor does not allow a standard hopper to be fitted. The hopper must be below but the coins still have to be paid out next to the monitor. Nearly five years of development has resulted in the Escendo hopper with its unique brush track system. In this way damaged or bent coins can also be paid out; a factor that has in the past often led to coin jams.
Excel Casino Hoppers
The industry-standard casino hopper with bowl capacities of up to and over 2000 coins couples high-speed payout with security and reliability. This product is available in a number of designs, giving manufacturers flexibility in design and the piece of mind in having a product that has proven itself over decades in the gaming industry.
The Evolution Hopper
Although being relatively new to market, this belt-driven hopper is already becoming a hit due to a set of new benefits. The sturdy motor ensures longevity and the coin optics PCB are mounted on one board that can be removed for cleaning. This reliability has been coupled with longevity and serviceability. The Evolution has a coin capacity of up to 1100 coins and has a payout rate of four coins per second. Customers can choose from a parallel or cctalk interface.
The FutureLogic GEN2 Universal Printer
FutureLogic was the company that invented the thermal barcode printer for TITO and thus has set the standard in the industry, being the preferred selection with discerning manufacturers and operators around the world. The GEN2 printer is well established in the industry with more than a million units in the field. The recently released GEN 2 Universal printer offers the same great reliability as the GEN 2 as well as being server-based ready with a dedicated USB port. With its three communication ports the GEN2 Universal can connect with the game and SMIB to run targeted promotional campaigns. Add to this the largest standard ticket capacity available and you have efficiency as well as innovation.
The FutureLogic Coupon Xpress
FutureLogic’s Coupon Xpress will add style and function to your ticketing services at the Cash Desk. Available in four finishes from Mahogany to Carbon Fibre, CouponXpress offers multi-port, durable housing and high speed printing capability, allowing casinos to serve customers even quicker than before. The Coupon Xpress is available from May 2009.
