Sagem Denmark fortifies ACI’s casino ATRs

Encrypting pad helps protect PINs for kiosk users 

The challenge
Whether they’re redeeming tickets for cash or breaking bills, casino customers want to know their transactions are secure. 

But the computer-based touchscreen systems at a typical kiosk may retain a user’s personal identification number, or PIN, during a session. That makes the threat of a thief accessing a customer’s account with a stolen card a real possibility. 

In developing its Generation II Automated Ticket Redemption (ATR) machine, Automated Currency Instruments Inc. (ACI) was looking for an encrypting PIN pad that offered compact dimensions and high reliability. 

Flawless performance was a tough project requirement, but casino managers (including those of cruise ship casinos, where making service calls is problematic at best) expect nothing less. Further, ACI wanted to maintain the record for reliability it earned with the ATR’s previous version. Finally, the pad design had to be compact to fit within the confines of the platform, which included larger internal capacities. 

The Gen II was designed from the ground up as a ticket-redemption kiosk for casinos; it’s not a retrofitted ATM with ticketing capability. From the beginning, the PIN pad was an integral part of the design.

The solution
The ATR is one of ACI’s leading products, used by casinos worldwide for processing and redeeming tickets issued by casino slot machines and other gaming equipment using Ticket In-Ticket Out technology. The unit is called on to break bills and to dispense both coins and bills. It also can support other casino activities, such as player club programs. 

In previous versions of the ATR, a Sagem Denmark encrypting PIN pad was an option, depending on the duties the machine would be asked to perform. In engineering the Gen II ATR, ACI opted to include Sagem Denmark’s Triple-DES-capable, PED-approved INT1315-4240 pad as an OEM application for the new unit. With Triple DES, the highest standard for digital security, the encrypting PIN pad ensures that ATM and other PIN-based functions are secure. 

When a machine processes more than 2,000 transactions a day, there’s no time for shortcomings with the PIN pad. The previous version of the ATR racked up an impressive 95 percent uptime, including the time required for reloading the machine with ticket stock and cash. An ideal PIN pad is an invisible part of the transaction. 

ACI hit the jackpot with Sagem Denmark’s encrypted PIN pad. The stainless steel keyboard with its easy-to-read black-etched numbers can withstand two million cycles. For specialized functions, colored graphics increase users’ ability to press the right key. When properly installed, the pad is waterproof as well. 

The INT1315-4240 PIN pad’s size was a key factor in its selection. The compact design allowed ACI to include larger-capacity bill acceptor and cash boxes, two important features of the Gen II machine. Even with all those features, the Gen II still has the smallest footprint of any kiosk on the market. 

The results
When the Gen II machine debuted at the Global Gaming Expo in November, the encrypting PIN pad was one of the features that drew crowds. Production units will be available around the end of Q1 2007. 

The encrypting pad eliminates the possibility of a user’s PIN number being retained. That way, if a casino customer’s card is lost or stolen, the machine does not retain the PIN, ensuring that a thief cannot access the account, even with the card. The customer’s account is safe. 

“From a security standpoint, that’s the quality we need,” said Ron Hicks, vice president of sales for ACI. “The Gen II has far exceeded our expectations and the customers’ as far as the usability and flexibility of what the unit can do.”

Article written by Gary Wollenhaupt, Self Service World magazine