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WMS Secures Nevada Regulatory Approval for WAGE-NET Networked Gaming System

^{Published on 2008-12-18 13:28:52 - Market Wire}
 

WAUKEGAN, Ill.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--WMS Industries Inc. (NYSE:WMS), a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of gaming machines to the global gaming and casino industry, today became the first company to receive approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission for a networked gaming system and remote configuration and download application utilizing the Gaming Standards Association's (GSA) award-winning G2S protocol.

The approval for WMS' WAGE-NET (Wide Area Game Enhanced Network) system follows completion of a successful Nevada field trial at the renowned BELLAGIO Las Vegas casino and hotel that began on July 31, 2008. At its public meeting today in Las Vegas, the Nevada Gaming Commission accepted the recommendation for WAGE-NET's approval from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The Commission now is expected to issue a letter of notification of its approval to WMS.

The WAGE-NET networked gaming system, designed to comply with GSA's standards, is a suite of multiple system applications and platform technologies that will increase the operational efficiency and revenue generating capabilities of gaming floors at casinos.

Justin Beltram, Vice President of Slot Operations at the BELLAGIO said, "WMS's WAGE-NET system was intuitively easy to install and performed all the capabilities that were expected. The WMS team provided excellent support and service throughout the entire field trial. We look forward to participating with WMS in future trials as they enhance the system and add new features and functionality."

"To be the first company to receive this approval from the Nevada regulators for a networked gaming system based on open architecture and that is fully compliant with GSA's G2S standards is a testament to WMS and our employees' extraordinary commitment to innovation and development excellence. With this approval, WMS takes another important step in leading the industry into the networked gaming future," said Orrin J. Edidin, President of WMS. "Working collaboratively with the forward-thinking and totally supportive team at the BELLAGIO during the successful field trial was an outstanding experience.

"This approval represents the first component in our WAGE-NET system," Edidin added. "We are readying additional capabilities to offer customers an even richer solution of applications and products for their gaming floor, including our Portal Technology Platform and Account Based Wagering System, both of which were demonstrated last month in Las Vegas at the Global Gaming Exposition, as we proceed on our path to ultimate commercialization of the WAGE-NET system in fiscal 2010."

Edidin continued, "The WAGE-NET system is designed to be fully interoperable with all other systems applications that use the GSA protocol and that are based on open system architecture. We reaffirm and continue to demonstrate our support for Freedom of Choice by our customers and the benefits derived from a truly open systems architecture and standards-based interoperability at the protocol, application and hardware level. Importantly, the WAGE-NET system demonstrates yet another WMS innovative product offering that highlights our long-term dedication and passion to creating products that deliver heightened entertainment experiences for casino patrons and high-earning solutions for casino operators."

Going forward, WMS expects to engage in additional field trials of the WAGE-NET system in Nevada that will include unique platform technologies and suite of applications that focus specifically on players' gaming experiences and how the use of network architecture can enable whole new levels of player excitement and personalization.

About WMS: WMS is engaged in serving the gaming industry worldwide by designing, manufacturing and marketing video and reel-spinning gaming machines, video lottery terminals, and in gaming operations, which consists of the placement of leased participation gaming machines in legal gaming venues. More information on WMS can be found at [ www.wms.com ].

About the Gaming Standards Association: The Gaming Standards Association (GSA) is an international trade association that creates benefits for 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 members representing a wide cross section of the global gaming industry. WMS has been a member since GSA since its establishment in 1998.

GSA's Game-to-System (G2S) Protocol was named "Best Productivity-Enhancement Technology" by Global Gaming Business Magazine, one of the "Top Three International Gaming Products" by IGWB Magazine; one of Casino Journal magazine's "Top 3 Most Innovative Products"; and one of Casino Enterprise Management's "Top 10 Slot Floor Technologies."

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning our future business performance, strategy, outlook, plans, liquidity, pending regulatory matters and outcomes of contingencies, including legal proceedings, among others. Forward-looking statements may be typically identified by such words as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "likely," "believe," "estimate," "project," and "intend," among others. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any or all of our forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Consequently, no forward-looking statements may be guaranteed. Factors which could cause our actual results to differ from expectations include (1) delay or refusal by regulators to approve our new gaming platforms, cabinet designs, game themes and related hardware and software; (2) a failure to obtain and maintain our gaming licenses and regulatory approvals; (3) an inability to introduce in a timely manner new games and gaming machines that achieve and maintain market acceptance; (4) a decrease in the desire of casino customers to upgrade gaming machines or allot floor space to leased or participation games, resulting in reduced demand for our products; (5) an adverse impact on play levels of our participation games by casino patrons, a reduction in capital spending or payments by casino customers, or other adverse financial impacts, associated with the substantial economic weakness and uncertainty that adversely affects our customers' and our businesses; (6) cancellation or modification by customers of new gaming machine or participation orders; (7) a software anomaly or fraudulent manipulation of our gaming machines and software; (8) a failure to obtain the right to use, or an inability to adapt to rapid development of new technologies; and (9) an infringement claim seeking to restrict our use of material technologies. These factors and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations are more fully described under "Item 1. Business-Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2008 and our more recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.