by Brandon Macheta
In building a strong robust asset management database, the Pokagon Band Gaming Commission (PBGC) has spent many hours evaluating our processes. Through this evaluation, we identified what we wanted to be included in our asset management software and how we wanted it to work once built.
The PBGC wanted a software application that would take a papered process and make it paperless, create automated updates, and provide real-time tracking of assets such as electronic gaming devices as well as the history of work that has been conducted on those assets from the time our casino received it, all of the way to when it was shipped off property. The PBGC wanted automated checklists, a way to track iGaming software changes, table games shufflers/software, progressive controllers/software, sign servers/software, sports wagering terminals/software, and Class II servers/software. When it came to anything gaming related that has a certification letter provided by an independent testing lab as well as non-regulated software or hardware, we wanted a way to know where it was located, what was in it, and whether it met regulatory compliance according to our regulations, gaming compacts, gaming ordinance, and the National Indian Gaming Commission’s Minimum Internal Controls Standards.
In addition, an absolute must for the PBGC was real-time updates from the independent testing labs. Tasked with regulating close to 70,000 pieces of software, we wanted to know when a piece of software was revoked and how many machines would be affected, as well as the machines’ location at our properties. These were critical pieces for us. We also wanted to be able to utilize both our GLI and BMM testing labs’ certification database to help create a shipping request where the vendor would log in and select which software and hardware they would ship from the GLI and BMM database. This would help speed up the shipping process and protect the PBGC and Four Winds Casino. We wouldn’t have to worry about revoked software or software that wasn’t approved for our jurisdiction being shipped to us.
The PBGC has been operating for fifteen years, and throughout that time, has kept the verbiage that we utilize the same. Now more than ever, we are continuously reviewing our practices and procedures to ensure that we are continually improving and staying in line with the industry while doing our best to stay ahead of it. Customization for the PBGC is extremely important. We did not want to purchase an application that was not customizable. We did not want an application that limited our creativity or was not capable of modification to remain current with evolving gaming technology.
Another must was custom reporting. Working with the application provider, we have built reports that can be generated and utilized for daily tacking and can be provided as a communication device to our commissioners as well as the NIGC.
Building a robust asset management application has been instrumental to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Gaming Technology Unit’s work, and has saved time and money. We have effectively transitioned to a paperless process involving electronic communication between the casino operator and the gaming commission to track gaming equipment inventory, certification verification, and operational changes to the casino’s game offerings.
Brandon Macheta is Chief Gaming Technology Inspector for the Pokagon Band Gaming Commission. He can be reached by calling (269) 637-9592 or email [email protected].