Sun Internationals newly opened Carnival City Casino near Brakpan -developed at a cost of R 1 billion - has scored a world first following the installation of card redemption machines (CRM) and cash dispense/redemption machines (CDRM) supplied by PQ Africa subsidiary, Power Controls, and software development company, Minotaur Information Systems, part of the Minotaur group of companies.
Carnival City casino is believed to be the first casino in the world where a smart card system is operational, giving customers the choice to use either cards, coins or notes.
Explaining the general operation of the Smart Card system, Charles Laxton, MD of Power Controls, said: "A customer is issued with a smart card on entering the casino. He then goes to any slot machine, inserts the card as well as the amount of cash he intends gambling with - this amount is then credited to the electronic purse on the card. The slot machine now operates in the normal fashion. Wins and losses are credited or debited from the card. On pressing 'Cash Out`, all credits are automatically transferred from the machine to the card."
When the customer requires a withdrawal of money from the card, he goes to the CDRM (Smart Cashier), places his card in the reader and is given the current options, such as the ability to make a total or partial withdrawal; request a balance enquiry, or transfer funds to another gaming card.
The CDRM is capable of a lot more functionality, including the facility to accept notes to load gaming cards; transfer funds from any bank account to the smart card and back to the bank account; dispense and load gaming cards; and perform basic ATM functions, such as obtaining bank statements, and withdrawing and depositing cash.
" Because of the staggering array of functionality available on the CDRM," said Laxton," Sun International will be phasing in the usage of the new smart card based system. This is a new development in the gaming industry and users first have to accept the basic functionality of the machine. Subsequent releases of functionality will be reviewed by Sun International and instituted when, and if, deemed prudent - or necessary."
Minotaur was contracted by Power Controls to develop the software interface to the propriety casino management and hi-tech surveillance systems of Sun International. Daniel Rodich, Project Manager at Minotaur, said his company was chosen because of its experience in developing sophisticated software solutions for the banking industry.
" This is believed to be the first system of it`s kind in the world - and the CDRM is the first piece of automated teller hardware that has been developed for the gaming environment," adding, " that it is far more advanced than the current breed of ATMs being used in the banking fraternity.
"The CDRMs can be modified for use by banks as powerful, multi - purpose ATMs. Our software interface was developed in a truly modern, object-orientated, component based development environment, which allowed for rapid application development.
We only took three months to develop the Sun International software solution. Using the traditional approach, it would have taken 18 months." Rodich also said the rapid development cycle enabled the company to offer Sun International what he termed " a fast-tracking solution that gives them an edge in a fiercely competitive market."
Because each smart card given out by Sun International costs in excess of R15, a CRM was custom designed to encourage the customer to return his card for reuse.
"We needed to find a way to recover as many of the smart cards as possible. Gamblers are encouraged to insert their cards into these specially built machines when exiting - in so doing they enter a game of chance and stand to win cash up to a maximum of R1000 or lucky prizes such as free drinks vouchers. To date a 90% smart card return rate is being experienced," said Laxton of Power Controls.
"Minotaur , " added Rodich, "is very excited to be joint partners with Power Controls on this world first installation. This to our knowledge has never been done before; Sun International is pioneering a totally new system for the next millennium. It is far more convenient, for them and for the players, and it is also a far safer way of conducting business. Sun International is snatching a lead on the rest of the pack by harnessing this type of technology...."
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