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Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) |
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Questions and Answers
What is the design of the Electronic Monitoring System (EMS)?The main functional components of the EMS system are shown in the diagram below.Site Controller This is located at the venue and sits between the EMS Central Host and the gaming machines at the venue. It connects to the gaming machines via a fibre optic cable and collects the events and meter data of all connected gaming machines. The Site Controller then sends this data to the EMS Host during predefined polling sessions or upon request. The Site Controller uses a standard protocol for communication with gaming machines called the QCOM protocol. EMS WAN (Wide Area Network) This consists of a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) that uses Internet Protocol (IP) addressing to connect all the Site Controllers to the EMS Host. This will be a managed network using a dedicated wireless connection to the Site Controller via a router at the site. In the few locations where we are unable to provide a wireless link an alternative method of connection will be provided. EMS Host System This consists of a centralised computing and processing facility located in Wellington (with a back-up system in Auckland). The basic functions of the EMS host system are:
General information for the public and societies/venues is available on this website: www.ems.govt.nz. Societies and venues can log in to the EMS Reporting Site from here. EMS reporting website The Society/Venue part of the EMS reporting website will supply pre-generated reports, using data acquired from venue site controllers. It will be up to venues and societies to access this information from the website. EMS Help Desk Intralot administers a centralised Help Desk to provide a single point of contact for the resolution, escalation, tracking and closure of all incidents, problems and requests for service for the entire EMS system: 0800 468 725 What about the integrity of the data recorded by EMS?Data collection and GMPThe Gaming Machine Profit (GMP) data calculated by EMS will be the definitive record of actual venue level GMP. EMS uses data transmitted electronically (using the QCOM protocol) via a direct link between the venue site controller and the gaming machines. The EMS system has been designed to ensure that this collection and calculation is accurate. Gaming Laboratories International (an accredited testing facility) has independently certified the EMS system as a part of the testing phases of the project. The objective of this Certification testing was to ensure accurate, secure and complete collection and reporting of information from gaming machines connected to EMS. Site Controllers The site controller has a number of features designed to ensure integrity of collected data. These include:
In order to assure data integrity during transfer and storage a special algorithm will be applied to all critical stored files. The Site Controller can also verify the integrity of the gaming machine software in use at the venue. Why do societies need to provide BVNs and what are these?The "base" software for a gaming machine has a built-in identifier referred to as the Base Version Game Number (BVGN or BVN).When a particular game software is approved by the Department it is linked to a particular base for licensing purposes and the Department issues a Base Approval Number (BAN) for that approved base software. The EMS must receive a valid BVN as well as other details about the software from the Department’s licensing system for the gaming machine to operate. To prepare for the implementation of EMS a letter was sent to Class 4 licence holders asking them to supply the BVNs of existing QCOM compliant machines. These BVNs will be input into the EMS. The Class 4 Amendment and New Operator application forms have been amended to request the BAN for each gaming machine being installed or modified. Future QCOM upgrades or installs will capture the BAN information directly from the application form during the Licensing process. Manufacturers have now been provided with information that references current BVNs to the respective BANs issued by the Department. Will Jackpot Controllers be connected to EMS?There are basically two types of approved Jackpot Controllers.One type downloads Jackpot win information to the gaming machine it is connected to. This information is then recorded with the gaming machine win data and will be captured by the Site Controller. This type of Jackpot Controller is known as a 'downloadable jackpot' and does not need a connection to the Site Controller. The other type stores the jackpot win information in the Jackpot Controller itself but does not download this to the gaming machine (this is known as a non-downloadable jackpot). Therefore this type of Jackpot Controller requires connection to the Site Controller for EMS to record these details. The Department intends to connect this second type of existing Jackpot Controller (that does not download wins to the Gaming machine) to EMS. This is to ensure the amounts recorded by these Jackpots are factored into the GMP calculation for the venue. To do this an interface capability to allow connection to the Site Controller needs to be developed that will work with each type of (non-downloadable) Jackpot Controller.
While a range of requirements for reports are included in the EMS design, final confirmation of the detail of reporting functions and report formats and content will not be possible until after the various phases of EMS testing have been completed. It is planned to complete testing by March 2006 after which a pilot of the system will be undertaken at several sites. Reports currently included in the EMS design are specified to include GMP, Turnover and Total Wins meter data at both a venue and society level. There are a number of other reports not described here that will be used by the Department for regulatory, administrative and management purposes.
What's involved in the EMS roll out?The roll out schedule showing connection dates for each venue is on this website. Societies have been advised of the main activities they need to ensure are completed at each of their venues at least six weeks prior to that venue being connected to EMS.In summary these activities are to:
On the Secretaries date, gaming machines will need to be out of operation while the venue personnel and service technicians perform the final activities to change the gaming machines over to QCOM operating mode and to operation on EMS. What about the effect of EMS on venue costs?The Gambling (Electronic Monitoring Fees) Regulations 2006 established a monitoring fee for each gaming machine connected to EMS. The current fee, effective from 1 February 2008, is $1.35 (GST inc) per day. There is also a $51.50 + gst per venue per month telecommunications charge - this charge is part of the contract between societies and Intralot.What is the standard for processing licensing of Gambling Equipment during the EMS establishment?90 per cent of licences to be issued within 20 working days from the date of receipt of a properly completed application.Can EMS and non-EMS gaming machines both be in operation at a venue prior to March 2007?The Gambling Act 2003 [Section 86 (5)] states that "The holder of a class 4 operators licence must not operate gaming machines after the date or dates notified to the holder by the Secretary unless the machines are connected to an electronic monitoring system specified by the Secretary". |
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Last updated: 19/07/2010 |
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