Casino Tools

Gaming is a highly competitive industry. There is a critical need for the efficient and effective deployment of information technology to keep costs down and make a gaming operation as efficient as possible.

POSDATA developed the Casino Tools System to simplify the management of drop box and video game receipt collection. The Casino Tools System tracks the drop boxes from security pickup to the soft count room and reduces the labor involved in managing the process.

POSDATA's Casino Tools provides an easy and automated method of tracking pick-ups from the drop box and its associated gaming machine. Using a hand-held scanner, security personnel scan the game machine's bar code label and the label on the associated drop box. Only two scans are needed for each game. Along with the bar code data, a date and time stamp is captured. In the soft count room, the scanned information is uploaded into a PC and stored in a Microsoft Access database. A drop box listing report is automatically generated detailing the pick-up information.

As drop boxes are opened in the soft count room and the gaming slips retrieved, a radio frequency (RF) scanner is used to scan and send the drop box label ID to the PC. The box label printing application prints the relevant information (Machine ID, Box ID, Terminal ID and date and time of pick up) on a self-adhesive label, eliminating the need to hand-write the information. The easy-to-read label is then attached to the stack of drop box receipts before storing.

POSDATA's Casino Tools solution will reduce the manpower required to collect and record information regarding drop box pick-ups and the associated machine and PT terminals. One Washington state casino that implemented the Casino Tools System reduced their manpower requirement for drop box collection by 20 person-hours per day, resulting in an estimated one-month payback for the project.

System Architecture and Hardware

The Casino Tools application is written in Microsoft Visual Basic and runs on an IBM compatible PC. The software is easy to use and works with Microsoft Access to store and retrieve the drop box pick up information. 

Data collection is achieved via two Symbol Technologies Phaser hand held bar code scanners - a batch scanner for security (pick-up) personnel and a RF scanner for soft count room personnel. These scanners interface into the PC via their cradles and standard PC interface ports.

Labels are printed in the soft count room with the Zebra Z4M thermal transfer label printer. The label printer connection is via the parallel printer port on the PC.

Easy Installation and Set-up

• Easy to Use Installation CD and Installation Instructions

• Pre-printed ID bar code labels provided for Video Gaming Machine ID and Drop Box ID labeling

• PT Assignment Functions - Assign or re-assign a personal terminal (PT) ID number to a specific video gaming machine on the casino floor.

Drop Box Data Collection - Batch Phaser

• Collect Data - Records the date and time a drop box has been removed from a video gaming machine. Prompts for the scanned entry of the Machine ID and Box ID number.

• Upload Data - Data collected with the Phaser is uploaded via the cradle and placed in the Access database.

• Print Drop Box Listing Report - Laser printer report showing all drop box pick ups including PT ID, Machine ID, Box ID and Pick Up date and time.

Soft Count Room - RF Phaser and Zebra Printer

• Scan Drop Box Labels - Scans and transmits in real time the drop box ID to the PC.

• Print Labels for collected drop box receipts - The scanned drop box ID with associated data (Machine ID, Terminal ID, pick up date and time) will be printed on the Zebra label printer.

• View Remaining Boxes - Displays drop boxes collected but not yet scanned.

• Print Individual Labels - Allows a user to enter a specific drop box ID for label printing.

• Print All Remaining Labels - Prints labels for all remaining drop boxes.

• Print Remaining Drop Box Report - Laser printer report showing all drop boxes remaining to be scanned for a specific collection date.

POSDATA provides comprehensive training, installation services and user documentation for Casino Tools. Our field-proven software and implementation services will facilitate an easy transition to your new and streamlined drop box collection process.

Casino Tools
Data Sheet

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