Mind the Gap
MPI-BMM’s new testing laboratory for gaming equipment will play a key role in developing Macau’s distinctive standards
In the world of equipment and systems compliance, gap analysis is examination of the technical variations between one jurisdiction and another. That analysis can then be used to reconcile any differences to ensure technology is compliant across those two or more jurisdictions.
Macau, in establishing its own system of standards for gaming technology, is seeking not to reinvent the wheel, but to benefit from the work done to establish standards in the leading jurisdictions (known as Tier 1) and to supplement it.
BMM Compliance, one of the global leaders in gaming compliance services, has arguably gained first mover advantage in the Macau market by establishing a partnership with a local educational establishment, Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI). That alliance involves not only setting up a testing lab for gaming equipment and systems but giving something back to the local community by training and then employing local technicians and by supporting talented local technology students with scholarships.
Ceremony
The MPI-BMM Testing Centre for Gaming Devices opened on the MPI campus in downtown Macau on 28th February, with a ceremony led by Professor Lei Heong Iok, President of MPI and Peter Turner, Managing Director of BMM Compliance, Australia Asia Pacific. The guest of honour was Phil Ingram, Senior Trade Commissioner & Deputy Consul-General of the Australian Government in Hong Kong and Macau. Also in attendance were other senior representatives of MPI, BMM, the Macau gaming industry, the Macau legal profession and Austrade, the Australian Trade Commission.
“The establishment of a slot machines and gaming devices testing laboratory is essential and a trend of the times,” said Professor Lei in his speech at the ceremony.
Prof. Lei added that under the venture the testing centre would provide MPI with a research fund and scholarship fund of at least MOP300,000 per year (US$37,500). This would help pay for research into gaming industry related topics and to reward outstanding students at MPI.
“We now invite operators and manufacturers to make use of this world class testing centre, whether that be for gaming machine certification, systems certification or interoperability testing,” said Mr Turner in his remarks.
“Australia is keen to support Macau in its ambitions and in its development,” added Mr Ingram.
“Quite a number of Australian companies have been actively involved in this market, from design and construction of casinos and hotels, through to fitting out and installing equipment, running operations and also in training,” he said, adding that the MPI-BMM laboratory was the latest example of that partnership.
Strategic alliance
Speaking to Inside Asian Gaming prior to the ceremony, BMM’s Peter Turner explained the lab was the culmination of six months of effort.
“DICJ had been assisting MPI in finding a suitable partner to help set up a testing laboratory for gaming devices in Macau. BMM already had a significant presence in the market having set up an office here last August. So we were very pleased to be selected as that suitable partner by MPI,” said Mr Turner.”We wanted to do three things. The first was to set up a testing lab. It was very important to MPI and to the government that there be a lab. The second thing was to foster scholarship among young people in Macau. And the third thing was to do some research and development projects around gaming, whether they be technological projects or responsible gambling initiatives, etc.
“All of that is based on BMM’s experience elsewhere. We have labs in Sydney and Melbourne, one in Las Vegas, one in Lima, Peru, one in Midrand, South Africa, one in Graz, Austria and one in Barcelona, Spain. This will be our eighth lab around the world, capable of doing this kind of work,” stated Mr Turner.
“What we will do initially is import people from the other labs to introduce the processes, to train the people to give us a consistent view across the world, so that if you deliver a product to BMM for testing it comes out with a certification that is consistent wherever you go.”
Market knowledge
Mr Turner said BMM Australia already has extensive experience of testing devices for manufacturers and systems providers that have entered or are entering the Macau market. Having a BMM testing facility in Macau means machines do not need to be shipped to Australia or other Tier 1 jurisdictions for testing.
“It’s much more efficient to have work done in Macau and it reinforces the regulator’s confidence in the process,” explained Mr Turner.
“The DICJ want their own set of standards. At the moment they recognise standards from other jurisdictions, i.e., Tier 1. Every regulator is entitled to have their own standards. I’m very happy for BMM to help in that process. We’ve been asked to help and we are doing that,” he adds.
Going local
“At the moment the system is that if equipment or systems have been approved in a Tier 1 jurisdiction and it has certification from a test lab recognised by the DICJ, it is entitled to go onto the [casino] floor. In the future, I will hope that environment won’t change too much, other than in the gap analysis. When the DICJ finishes development of the Macau standards, there may possibly be a need for gap analysis,” said Mr Turner.
“Do we have first mover advantage [in Macau]? I would say yes, but I would temper that by saying this is an industry that’s almost mature. It’s been operating for long enough now under an accepted set of principles—specifically Tier 1 recognition of other jurisdictions under T1, and recognition of test labs across different jurisdictions—so there’s already an operational gaming environment in Macau. It is not my view that this should somehow be turned on its head when it comes to developing standards specific for Macau. All it should really do is formalise what’s effectively already in place. It’s certainly not a question of going in and causing major upheaval to an industry that’s already operating quite effectively.”
