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Agenda


Time Session
08.15-09.05 Coffee and registration
09.05-09.10 Welcome from the conference organisers
09.10-09.20 Chairman's opening remarks
Filippo Ferri, Director of Operations - Italy
Gaming Labs International (GLI)
09.20-10.00 Testing systems for compliance – role and expectations of the certification agency
Daniela Pompei, Director
Società Generale d'Informatica S.p.A. (SOGEI)

Just as important as the development of a VLT gaming system, is the authorisation process required by the regulator. But with the certification of those systems, currently the prerogative of SOGEI, the technology arm of the regulator, a manufacturer/supplier needs to take steps to insure that the system is compliant before it is submitted.

This session will look at the ‘Test Manual’ released by the regulator and provide the audience with a better

10.00-10.30 Decree and regulatory update
Speaker:
Quirino Mancini, Partner, Sinisi Ceschini Mancini

The Decree defining the functionalities and characteristics of the Italian Video Lottery Systems (Comma 6b) saw the light in it's draft form as early as August 2009 and passed with little objection on November 26th 2009. The regulations promote the adoption of server-based gaming platforms, with central RNG, remote game download, interfaced with the Central Control System of the regulator. Because of the new technology involved, there have been many issues with the interpretation of the Decree itself.

This session will translate the legislation, offering the most up-to-date explanation on how to comply with the rules.

10.30-11.00 Networking break
11.00-11.50 The role of a concessionaire - requirements, responsibilities and rewards
Panelists
Giulia De Rosa, Business Development & Communication Director, G.MATICA
Marco Bedendo, Director, SISAL

From keepers of the network connecting all AWPs in the country to sports-betting and VLT operators, the Italian concessionaires have come a long way. All of the 56,697 licenses for the operation of the new terminals were awarded to existing concessionaires, despite the cost of a single license being €15,000.

With investments this large and no guarantee on the returns, the question is, will their bet pay-back? Also, with the concessions up for renewal in 2010, what does it look like for established players and new entrants keen onto becoming the operators of the future?

A panel of representatives from some of the leading concessionaires will explain the motives behind the investments and offer advice to those looking to participate in the tender this year.

11.50-12.45 a) The future is served – how server-based gaming works

The Decree clearly identifies the main components of the Italian Video Lottery gaming system and the need for a server, housed with the concessionaire, the links all of the terminals deployed in the field, while at the same time communicating with the Central Control System of the regulator through the use of a proprietary protocol.

This session will look closely at the details of how a server-based system works, highlighting the issues with having games downloaded remotely onto the terminals, central versus local determination of outcomes, jackpot controllers and TiTO systems, whilst looking at the possibility of integrating the various systems at venue level.

b) Tools and techniques required when developing games on a new platform

Only the technology suppliers that submitted their documentation, through the Concessionaires before September 15th, 2009, were able to step into the trial phase which will enable them to deploy their products in the field. But what about other suppliers that were too late into the game? Or those suppliers that simply did not have fully fledged server-based gaming solutions ready in time or that have traditionally developed games for the very lucrative Italian AWP market?

This session will look at the job of ‘third-party’ content suppliers to the VLT market and investigate what it takes to become one.

 Panelists:
Luke Alvarez, CEO, Inspired Gaming Group
Marzia Turrini, Director, Betstone
Peter Moffitt, President & CTO, Octavian International
12.45-13.45 Networking lunch
13.45-14.30 Technical requirments for a gaming platform
Michelangelo Marinoni, Senior Test Engineer
Gaming Labs International (GLI)

A panel of experts on the will disclose technical information for local and international operators seeking to enter the market

14.30-15.15 Steps to consider when securing a gaming licence in Italy
Panelists:
Quirino Mancini, Partner, Sinisi Ceschini Mancini

Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) can only be deployed in dedicated areas, for which a specific licence is required.

This session will look at what is needed to acquire one such licence and the potential birth of mini-casinos in Italian cities.

15.15-15.30 Chairman's closing remarks
15.30 Close