Gaming protocol standards now have an official home in the rapidly expanding gaming capital of the East: Macao.

Last fall, the Gaming Standards Association signed a memo of understanding with the Macao Polytechnic Institute, and GSA and MPI will officially open doors Monday to the GSA Macao Office and the MELCO Gaming Research Lab.

“This will be a monumental day in the history of GSA,” said Peter DeRaedt, GSA president. “Establishing a permanent home for GSA in China is critical to the success of the industry in that region, and we are thrilled to have established our partnership with MPI, and are grateful to them for welcoming GSA so very warmly.”

MPI officials said they are pleased with the growing relationship with GSA and that the work with GSA “will further enhance the reputation of MPI and our reputation for excellent research and instruction.”

MPI will act as GSA’s office in Asia, and GSA will support MPI in an effort to spread the technical knowledge of GSA’s gaming protocol standards to students in Macao and other parts of Asia through MPI.

MPI was established in 1991 as a public and forward-looking institute and was formerly a part of the University of East Asia, Macau. In the 10 years since its inception, the institute has grown into a modern and fully equipped teaching and research facility with a team of experienced and dedicated academic staff.