Company:
A leading provider of lottery gaming solutions specializes in developing and operating advanced gaming systems designed for reliability and seamless performance. With a strong focus on enhancing the player experience, the company supplies lottery gaming machines commonly placed in senior centers, catering primarily to an older audience. To ensure smooth gameplay and real-time processing, specialized computers are deployed underneath the gaming tables to handle critical gaming control functions. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, the company continues to innovate its gaming platforms, delivering secure, efficient, and engaging lottery experiences.
Challenge:
- The company’s existing non-ruggedized computers were fanned and easily caused overheating when put underneath the gaming machine, leading to constant maintenance, making them unsuitable for long-term deployment in casinos and senior centers.
- No built-in watchdog timer meant that if a system crashed, it required manual rebooting, causing downtime and disruptions in gameplay.
- Consumer-grade hardware lacked industrial longevity, leading to frequent failures and higher maintenance costs.
- Systems were not designed for wide-temperature operation, making them vulnerable to performance issues in varying environmental conditions.
- Existing systems were not equipped with multiple USB ports to connect essential peripherals.
Solution:
- Premio’s industrial fanless mini computer, RCO-1000-EHL Series, features power-efficient processing and flexible connectivity engineered to power industrial IoT and retail & gaming.
- Configured with Intel 11th Gen Elkhart Lake processor with edge reliability and a 15-year extended product lifecycle roadmap.
- The RCO-1000-EHL features a durable, fanless design, preventing dust buildup and ensuring reliable performance in a concealed cabinet.
- With built-in watchdog timer, it allows the system to automatically reboot if it becomes unresponsive, reducing downtime and manual intervention.
- Equipped with multiple USB ports, allowing seamless integration with gaming peripherals and accessories. Built-in wireless connectivity enables stable network access for remote monitoring and system updates.
- The Wall-mountable design allows for secure and space-efficient installation beneath gaming tables.
- UL certification ensures adherence to industry standards for safe and reliable operation in public gaming environments.
- Pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, providing a secure and user-friendly OS environment tailored for gaming control applications.
Benefits:
- Premio is strategically located in California, USA for localized supply chain management.
- Strong partnership and long-term service support with a dedicated engineering and sales team to address an on-going issues and future projects.
- Effective communication between Premio and solution provider with transparency and competency.
- Premio’s long-term loyal customer, we help them transform computer solutions to next generation along with our new products.
The Company
A leading provider of lottery gaming solutions specializes in developing and operating advanced gaming systems designed for reliability and seamless performance. With a strong focus on enhancing the player experience, the company supplies lottery gaming machines commonly placed in senior centers, catering primarily to an older audience. These gaming systems require precise computing power to manage real-time game processing, transactions, and system monitoring. To ensure smooth gameplay and consistent performance, specialized computers are deployed underneath the gaming tables, handling critical gaming control functions. Given the high stakes of uninterrupted operation, the company continually seeks to integrate cutting-edge technology to enhance system efficiency, security, and longevity, ensuring a seamless gaming experience for players.
The Challenge
Overheating in Enclosed Spaces
The previous systems deployed underneath the gaming tables were not designed for high-heat environments, leading to consistent overheating issues. Without a fanless design, the fan-cooled systems could not adequately dissipate heat in the enclosed spaces under the gaming machines. This caused system malfunctions and required frequent maintenance, ultimately reducing the reliability of the solution in critical gaming environments such as senior centers and casinos, where uptime is crucial.
Lack of Automated System Recovery
The absence of an integrated watchdog timer meant that whenever the system became unresponsive or crashed, the company’s team had to manually reboot the system. This manual process caused unnecessary downtime and disrupted the gaming experience, which is especially critical in environments catering to seniors. Having a system that could automatically recover without manual intervention would significantly improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime, making it an urgent need for the company.
Short Lifecycle and High Maintenance Costs
The company’s reliance on consumer-grade computers posed significant challenges in terms of longevity and reliability. These systems were not designed to withstand the rigors of the gaming environment, leading to unexpected breakdowns and failures. As a result, the company faced escalating maintenance costs due to the need for constant repairs or replacements. Given the importance of long-term reliability in the gaming industry, the company recognized the need for a more robust, industrial-grade solution to ensure uninterrupted performance and reduce operational costs.
Vulnerability to Environmental Conditions
The existing systems were not built to operate under extreme temperature variations, making them vulnerable to performance degradation in different environmental conditions. Whether the gaming machines were in senior centers, which may have fluctuating indoor temperatures, or casinos with varying air conditioning levels, the lack of temperature adaptability led to system inconsistencies. Such performance issues had the potential to disrupt the gaming experience, which is particularly problematic in senior-centered environments where gaming reliability is essential.
Limited I/O Connectivity
The existing computers were insufficiently equipped with USB ports, which limited the system’s ability to connect to necessary peripherals, such as card readers, ticket printers, and other essential gaming accessories. In a modern gaming environment, seamless integration with multiple devices is key to maintaining operational efficiency. The lack of proper I/O connectivity posed challenges in expanding or upgrading the system with new technologies and peripherals, ultimately hindering the company’s ability to scale its gaming solutions.
The Solution
To address these challenges, the company adopted Premio’s ECO-1000-EHL, a rugged, fanless industrial mini computer designed for power-efficient edge computing in IIoT and gaming. With its durable construction, modular connectivity, and 15-year longevity, the RCO-1000-EHL seamlessly integrated into the company’s gaming systems, providing reliable performance, real-time processing, and seamless control.
Industrial-Grade Durability and Long Lifecycle
The RCO-1000-EHL Series is built with industrial-grade durability to ensure continuous, reliable performance in demanding environments. Its fanless design prevents dust accumulation and fan failure, reducing maintenance needs and ensuring smooth operation even in confined spaces beneath gaming tables. The system is also designed to withstand wide temperature fluctuations, making it suitable for use in environments like senior centers and casinos, where temperature variations can be extreme. Powered by an Intel 11th Gen Elkhart Lake processor, the RCO-1000-EHL offers a 15-year product lifecycle, providing longevity and reducing the need for frequent hardware replacements.
Automated System Recovery with Watchdog Timer
To eliminate downtime and manual intervention, the RCO-1000-EHL is equipped with a watchdog timer that enables the system to automatically reboot if it becomes unresponsive. This ensures that gaming operations remain seamless and uninterrupted. The customizable timer feature can be set within a range of 1 to 255 seconds, allowing the system to recover promptly without user involvement, reducing disruptions in gameplay and enhancing the overall experience for senior players.
Flexible Connectivity and Seamless Integration
The RCO-1000-EHL Series provides multiple USB ports to support the integration of essential gaming peripherals such as card readers, printers, and ticket dispensers. This extensive I/O capability enables the system to easily accommodate the variety of devices needed in modern gaming environments. In addition, it features built-in wireless connectivity, ensuring stable network access for remote monitoring, software updates, and troubleshooting, which improves operational efficiency and reduces the need for on-site interventions.
Secure Installation, Compliance, and Reliable OS Environment
Designed for secure installation, the RCO-1000-EHL is wall-mountable, allowing for efficient use of space and ensuring a tidy gaming environment beneath the tables. It also meets UL certification standards, ensuring safe and reliable operation in public gaming environments. Pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, the system offers a secure and optimized operating system environment, providing enhanced security and compatibility with gaming control software, which is critical for maintaining the integrity of the gaming experience.
The Benefits
By adopting Premio’s industrial-grade computing solution, the lottery gaming company achieved enhanced operational reliability, reduced maintenance efforts, and improved gaming performance. The localized supply chain management in California ensures faster lead times and responsive support, allowing the company to minimize downtime and maintain seamless operations.
Premio’s strong partnership and long-term service support provide the company with direct access to a dedicated engineering and sales team, helping to address ongoing challenges and plan for future projects. This collaborative approach ensures continuous optimization of their gaming solutions while integrating next-generation computing technologies for improved performance and efficiency.
Additionally, effective communication and transparency between Premio and the solution provider have contributed to a streamlined deployment process. As a long-term technology partner, Premio has played a key role in transforming the company’s computing solutions, ensuring they stay ahead in the evolving gaming industry with industrial-grade, future-proof hardware.