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A4 Description

1.0 Introduction

This document was created on March 30th, 2011 to briefly describe the A4 Platform for interested parties, such as tribal regulators.

1.1 What is the A4 Platform?

The A4 Platform is a server-centric gaming platform capable of supporting Class II and Class III Gaming Devices.

1.2 Who Created the A4 Platform?

The A4 Platform was created by Acres 4.0, Inc.

Acres 4.0 was founded by John Acres whose previous ventures in gaming include the invention of progressive displays, linked progressive jackpots, SAS, GSA, player tracking, player bonusing, and Wheel of Fortune.

1.3 What’s the Point of the A4 Platform?

The A4 Platform is conceived as the first gaming platform to use 21st century hardware and software protocols. This radically brings down prices, makes game design cheaper and faster, and gives operators greater flexibility in adapting to player demands.

All of this should allow casinos to make more money, both through increased revenue from new players and savings from reduced operational costs.

1.4 Who Should I Contact with Questions?

This document was prepared by Acres Bonusing, Inc., a licensed distributor of the A4 Platform. Please direct any questions to James Acres by email (james@acresbonusing.com) or phone (541 760 7503).

1.5 Can I See a Demo of the Games?

Yes! If you have an iPad and would like to see the demo games, please contact James Acres and he’ll set you up with a demo app.

2.0 A4 Platform Components

The A4 Platform consists of six components: The Appliance, The Terminals, The Applications, The Network, The Monitor and the Admin Website.

2.1 The Appliance

The Appliance is a central server or servers that can host multiple simultaneous Class II or Class III Gaming Devices.

The Appliance houses the RNG and all critical accounting and gaming software.

It is kept in a secure location within the casino, and access to it is controlled by the casino’s IT Department and by the Tribal Gaming Authority.

The Appliance is configured such that it cannot accept unauthorized connections or communications from the outside.

The Appliance is configured such that only a certain number of simultaneous connections are allowed. It is helpful to think of these as channels.

Each of these channels can allow one Terminal connection at a time. And each channel is independently auditable. Therefore, each channel can be considered a unique Gaming Device.

And so if an Appliance has 246 channels, then it can be considered to contain 246 Gaming Devices.

The Appliance and all of its software is controlled by GLI.

Casino Operators will be able to configure the Appliance such that only Class III gaming is enabled, only Class II gaming is enabled, or that both types of gaming are enabled.

2.2 The Terminals

Terminals are consumer grade touchscreen devices used by players and casino staff to connect with the Appliance.

Players use Terminals to play games. Casino staff use Terminals to perform cashier and other hosting functions for players.

Currently Terminals are Apple iPads for players and iPads or iTouches for casino staff. Though we foresee in coming years using other consumer-grade touchscreen devices.

Terminals do not have critical gaming software stored on them and are not capable of influencing game outcomes. And so Terminals are not considered Gaming Devices and are not controlled as such under the Johnson Act.

At the discretion of the Tribal Gaming Authority and the Casino, Terminals may be provided by the casino or by players themselves.

Casino Operators will be able to configure the Terminals such that only Class III gaming is enabled, only Class II gaming is enabled, or that both types of gaming are enabled.

2.3 The Applications

Currently there are two Applications. A Player App and a Cashier App.

The Player App contains the game graphics and interface and is what allows players to access Gaming Devices on the Appliance. The Player App is controlled by GLI.

Casino Operators will be able to configure the Player App such that only Class III gaming is enabled, only Class II gaming is enabled, or that both types of gaming are enabled.

The Cashier App is used by casino staff to process player transactions such as cash-in and cash-out. The Cashier App is controlled by GLI.

2.4 The Network

The Casino’s IT department is responsible for establishing a secure WiFI network for the A4 Platform. This network should not share traffic with other applications.

In order to prevent gaming outside of the casino, the Network should be constructed such that it is unavailable outside of the designated gaming area.

This can be accomplished with off the shelf, commercial grade WiFi networking hardware.

Although the Appliance and Terminals both encrypt all data before transmitting over the Network, for added security the WiFi Network itself should incorporate industry standard encryption technologies.

2.5 The Monitor

The Monitor is a device that automatically collects, encrypts, and securely transmits performance data from the Appliance to Acres 4.0 over the Internet.

The Monitor does not collect any personally identifying information about players such as names or street addresses.

The Monitor cannot transmit data to the Appliance.

The Monitor cannot receive the data from the Internet.

2.6 The Admin Website

The Admin Website is series of secure, intranet webpages allowing casino staff to configure, administer and audit the rest of the A4 Platform.

3.0 How the A4 Platform Functions

In order to play the A4 Platform, patrons will need to register for an A4 account.

This allows the casino to ensure only patrons of legal age may play on the A4 Platform.

Once a patron is registered with an A4 account, he may check out a Terminal and log in. When a patron logs in, that specific Terminal is linked to a specific virtual Gaming Device and the patron’s A4 account on the Appliance. The patron may then use Applications on the Terminal to play the linked gaming device on the Appliance. The Terminal connects to the Appliance via the Network, which is constructed such that the Network is not available outside of the casino. When the patron is finished with the Terminal, he checks the Terminal back in.

Patrons will be able to cash-in and cash-out through interactions with casino staff, or alternatively, through the use of third-party kiosks linked to the A4 Platform.

The Monitor shall securely transmit encrypted performance data in real-time from the Appliance to Acres 4.0. This will allow Acres 4.0 to monitor for any system outages and also to monitor specific game performance in order to create better games.

The Casino can use the Admin Website to generate Accounting and Performance reports for auditors and executive management. The Admin Website can also be used, in conjunction with the Tribal Gaming Authority, to configure games on the A4 Platform.

The foregoing is a simplified version of how the A4 Platform will approximately function. Each casino shall be responsible for determining exact procedures for checking-in and checking-out Terminals, as well as cash-in and cash-out. Acres 4.0 or its licensed distributors shall assist in developing these procedures at the Casino's request.

4.0 Existing A4 Platform Installations

To date the A4 Platform has been installed at two locations, and is still in use at both locations.

4.1 iSlot at Colusa Casino Resort

Colusa Casino Resort, approximately ninety minutes north of Sacramento, operates 373 A4 Gaming Devices under the marketing name of “iSlot.” iSlot is available to casino patrons in a fine dining area, an upscale bar and lounge, and in the bingo area. There are plans to expand iSlot to the rest of the casino floor later this year.

4.2 iSino at Blue Lake Casino and Hotel

Blue Lake Casino and Hotel, approximately five hours north of San Francisco along Highway 101, operates 53 A4 Gaming Devices under the marketing name of “iSino.” iSino is available in a purpose-built lounge within the casino. There are plans to allow play throughout the hotel and casino later in the year.

5.0 A4 Platform Gaming Content

5.1 Third Party Content

Currently all A4 Platform games are produced by Acres 4.0. There is significant interest from other gaming manufacturers in developing content for the A4 Platform, and third-party content should be available on the A4 Platform by the end of the year.

5.2 Class II Content

Currently no Class II gaming content has been released for the A4 Platform. The first Class II game, Blazing Bingo, is projected for release this summer, with more Class II content released as the year progresses.

5.3 Class III Content

There are currently nine Class III Gaming titles available on the A4 Platform.

5.3.1 Keno

A standard eighty spot keno game with a 92.668% payback.

5.3.2 Jacks or Better Video Poker

A standard, fifty-two card Jacks or Better Video Poker title with a 97.3% payback.

5.3.3 Deuces Wild Poker

A standard, fifty-two card Deuces Wild Video Poker title with a 96.77% payback.

5.3.4 Money For Nudgin

A single pay line, three-reel slot game with a bonus feature that allows players to nudge a single reel one stop to turn a loss into a win.