LAS VEGAS, April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gaming Standards Association (GSA), an international trade association that facilitate the identification, definition, development, promotion, and implementation of open standards for the gaming industry, today announced that 3M Touch Systems, Elo Touchsystems, AstroSys International, Ltd. and Himecs have joined the organization. All four new members provide peripheral devices to game manufacturers and joined the GSA to support the development of its Gaming Device Standards (GDS).

The GDS workgroup is defining standards for connectors and communication protocols used between peripheral devices and game platforms. The GDS workgroup is leveraging existing USB standards but more importantly defining extensions that will provide the functionality required by the gaming sector. The GSA has also established key relationships with USB.org to assist in the ratification of the standards for use on the world stage. "The development of the GDS standard adds substantial business value," stated Peter DeRaedt, president of GSA. "It is gratifying to see interest and support from the OEM Providers."

"As the member base continues to grow, more and more peripherals will be 'plug and play' ready. We are all looking forward to the benefits standardization will bring to the gaming community," commented John Boesen, chairman of the GDS Committee.

Both 3M Touch Systems and Elo Touchsystems, who provide touch screen technology to the gaming and hospitality industry, joined as gold members. Himecs, a Japanese based coin hopper manufacturer, and AstroSys International Ltd., a coin and bill peripheral manufacturer, joined as Silver members.

Further to these four new members, GSA also welcomes Universal Distributing of Nevada, a game manufacturer, as a silver member and Gaming Consultants International of Australia as an advisory member.

About the Gaming Standards Association (GSA): The Gaming Standards Association (GSA) is an international trade association representing gaming manufacturers, suppliers, operators and regulators. We facilitate the identification, definition, development, promotion, and implementation of open standards to enable innovation, education, and communication for the benefit of the entire industry. Since its incorporation on May 6, 1998, GSA has grown to 44 members representing a wide cross section of the global gaming industry. Platinum members include Acres Gaming (AGAM); Aristocrat Technologies; Bally Gaming and Systems (AGI); Harrah's Entertainment Inc. (HET); International Game Technology (IGT); Isle of Capri Casinos (ISLE); Mandalay Resort Group (MBG) and WMS Gaming (WMS). Other members include: 3M Touch Systems (MMM); AstroSys International; Atronic Americas; Austrian Gaming Industries (Novomatic); Boyd Gaming (BYD); CashCode Co. Inc.; Casino Management Association; Coin Mechanisms; ELO Touchsystems; Ensico; European Gaming Organization; Foxwoods Resort Casino; Friedberg & Associates; Global Payment Technologies (GPTX); Gaming Consultants International; Gold Club; Himecs; IDX Incorporated; JCM American Corporation; Konami Gaming; Mars Electronics International; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Business Development Authority; Mikohn Gaming (MIKN); MIS Group; Money Controls; Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation; Park Place Entertainment; Scientific Games Corporation (SGMS); Shuffle Master Gaming (SHFL); Sigma Game; Spielo Manufacturing; Station Casinos(STN); Transact Technologies (TACT); Unidesa; UNLV Gaming Institute and Universal Distributing. For more information, visit www.gamingstandards.com.

Source: Gaming Standards Association