Global Cash Access to Roll Out New Cash Advance Terminals


01:01 p.m Jan 27, 1999 Eastern

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 1999--Global Cash Access (GCA), the country's largest provider of cash access services to casinos, is preparing a first quarter 1999 roll-out of QuikCash(TM), a stand-alone credit card cash advance terminal that also offers POS debit to gaming patrons.

By including POS debit, the terminals give patrons another convenient way to access their funds, said Kirk Sanford, Executive Vice President of Global Cash Access. Patrons can access POS debit themselves through these kiosks, reducing the time cage operators must spend on this task. An added benefit of the new devices is that they incorporate the "debit on a check" feature in high demand by gaming operators.

A touch screen interface replaces the traditional keypad, making the process easier for customers and resulting in faster transaction time. The terminals utilize a client-server platform that is faster and more reliable than the former mainframe system, and they are smart-card ready. Unlike the magnetic strip technology prevalent in this country, embedded computer chips facilitate transaction processing in smart cards. International patrons use smart cards almost exclusively, and the technology soon will predominate U.S. cash access cards as well.

Manufactured by Hypercom Corporation (NYSE:HYC), the terminals are Y2K compliant and offer customizable screen messages.

In advance of the national roll-out to all GCA customer properties, Bally's Atlantic City and the Claridge Casino Hotel in Atlantic City have installed and are using the new terminals. "Bally's and Claridge have both had great experiences with the new devices, and we are prepared to launch the product at more than 1,000 other properties," said Sanford.

Donna Graham, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration at Bally's, said, "We are delighted with how seamless the switch has been from the old systems to the new ones. We are pleased to be able to offer a faster method of POS debit to our customers."

Al Britton, President and Chief Operating Officer at the Claridge, said, "This new equipment is another demonstration of Global Cash Access's commitment to innovation, which benefits their customers as well as ours."

Global Cash Access was formed in mid-1998 through a joint venture of Bank of America, First Data Corporation and USA Processing, Inc. The company provides a full range of electronic funds transfer and other services to more than 1,200 gaming properties nationwide.

Enclosed Photo: Global Cash Access is rolling out QuikCash(TM), a stand-alone credit card cash advance terminal that also offers point-of-sale debit to gaming patrons. The terminals feature touch screen technology, a client-server platform and the ability to read smart cards. The country's largest provider of cash access services to casinos, Global Cash Access is currently installing the new devices at more than 1,000 gaming properties.


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