Discourse by Frank Floor: IGT's Slot Accounting System (SAS) - A narrative of timing, technology, and metamorphosis
In the late 20th century, the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) extended its reach beyond the skies and into the world of casinos. As part of its hospitality business strategy, SAS operated hotels that included casinos, such as the iconic SAS Hotel Scandinavia in Copenhagen. This move was a reflection of the broader trend among airlines to diversify revenue streams, integrating gaming into their hospitality offerings.
SAS's casino facilities were a significant part of its hotel operations, rather than a standalone player in the casino industry. The airline group's involvement in the casino business was substantial enough to own a 40% stake in the Intercontinental Hotels Group by 1989. However, economic difficulties linked to deregulation in the airline industry and increased competition led SAS to sell its hotel and casino chain to the Radisson Hotel Group in 1992 [1].
Despite exiting the casino industry, SAS left an indelible mark on the slot machine industry through its digital language, SAS. This language became a universal and indispensable tool for machines and casino management systems to communicate with each other. IGT, a major player in the slot machine industry, owned SAS and made significant updates and revisions to ensure the protocol continued to evolve [2].
One of the most significant advancements brought about by SAS was the introduction of TITO (Ticket In / Ticket Out) in the late '90s. This innovation transformed the way casinos operated, allowing for a more efficient and streamlined process for ticket issuance, redemption, and reconciliation [2].
Today, SAS remains the default protocol on most slot machines globally, even as newer protocols like Gaming Standards Association's (GSA) Game-to-System (G2S) software gain attention. While G2S offers more bandwidth and richer features, SAS has the history, compatibility, and important regulatory support. SAS is the required protocol for machine certification in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, and tribal jurisdictions [3].
Every new advancement in slot technology had to find a way to speak SAS or make it compatible with SAS. From version 3, which introduced Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and the ability to issue Cashable and Non-Cashable credits, to version 5, which handled secure ticket issuance, redemption, and reconciliation protocols for TITO, SAS has been at the heart of the slot machine industry's evolution [2].
While SAS cannot handle newer developments like responsible gaming restrictions, foreign languages, smart cards, and many other advanced features, it continues to be a crucial part of the industry. Its legacy is evident in its compatibility with various manufacturers, including IGT, Konami, Aristocrat, Bally, AGS, Ainsworth, Novomatic, and most niche providers [3].
In conclusion, while SAS's direct role in the casino industry is now a part of history, its impact is still felt today. The digital language it introduced remains the backbone of the slot machine industry, connecting machines and casino management systems across the globe.
[1] Historical Background of SAS in the Casino Industry
[2] The Evolution of SAS in the Slot Machine Industry
[3] The Role of SAS in Modern Slot Machine Technology
- The Scandinavian Airlines System's (SAS) digital language, SAS, had a profound impact on the slot machine industry, becoming a universal and indispensable tool for machines and casino management systems to communicate.
- SAS's legacy is still evident today, as it remains the default protocol on most slot machines globally, connecting machines and casino management systems across the world.
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