GLI named “Registered Independent Testing Laboratory” by NGCB

It has resulted in a significant expansion of GLI’s Nevada staff, enhancements to GLI’s 7,432 sqm Las Vegas laboratory, and the acquisition of new equipment and technology.

GLI President/CEO James Maida said, “We are very grateful to have been named a Registered Independent Testing Laboratory in the State of Nevada. For decades, Nevada has maintained an incredibly high standard for testing and regulation that has been the model for jurisdictions worldwide. We are honored with the trust that Chairman Lipparelli and Technology Division Chief Barbee have placed in GLI with this distinction.”

“We stand absolutely ready for the task at hand, in terms of capacity, ability and integrity. Our goal is to keep testing costs where they were while striving to increase value to customers and to maintain or improve upon the current testing times,” Maida continued.  “Our overall objective is to make sure the tests are done with unparalleled quality, accuracy, speed and independence for the Nevada Gaming Control Board.”

The move to the new testing arrangement was announced last May 2, in a notice to licensees from Gaming Control Board Chairman Mark Lipparelli. In the notice, he stated that as of July 1, 2012, the State Gaming Control Board Technology Division will no longer perform the pre-approval of gambling games, gaming devices, associated equipment, cashless wagering systems, mobile gaming systems, and interactive gaming systems.

Now the pre-approval for all of these devices has moved over to private, independent test labs, such as GLI and as of July 1, all manufacturers of these types of equipment must submit their products to an independent test lab.

The Nevada Gaming Commission and State Gaming Control Board will remain the final approval authority, maintaining strict oversight responsibilities for GLI as a Registered Independent Testing Laboratory, and will continue to initiate rulings on all policy issues relating to technology as well as develop approval criteria for new and emerging technology.

“This is a significant change, and we are ready and available to help suppliers and operators understand how they can benefit from NGCB’s carefully crafted policy that is designed to promote the efficient consideration of new technology. GLI has been preparing for this since the passage of AB 279 and is fully ready to help them through this transition process,” Maida said.

GLI’s plan for Nevada testing includes an increase in its staff in its Las Vegas lab by more than 30 percent since February. These employees have been trained and will be augmented as GLI continues the hiring process. The expansion is part of a global initiative wherein GLI will add 100 employees worldwide by September.

In addition, GLI has completed a major upgrade of it Las Vegas facility, which is more than 10 times larger than any other laboratory in Nevada.  It has also enhanced its equipment and communications capabilities to provide even greater connectivity to its 19 other laboratory locations worldwide.  This upgrade fulfills the economic development goals of AB 279.

The additional staff will push GLI’s global employee count to 750 working in the company’s 20 lab locations. The increase will give GLI at least four times the capacity and ability of any other lab.