Iowa Admin. Code r. 491-11.9 - Slot machine requirements

(1) Payout percentage. A slot machine game must meet the following maximum and minimum theoretical percentage payouts during the expected lifetime of the game.

a. A slot machine game's theoretical payout must be at least 80 percent and no more than 100 percent of the amount wagered. The theoretical payout percentage is determined using standard methods of probability theory. Slot machine games with a bonus feature that is available with varying payouts based on the player's ability shall be allowed if the difference between the minimum and maximum payout for all ability-based outcomes does not exceed a 4 percent contribution to the overall theoretical payout of the slot machine game.

b. A slot machine game shall have a probability of obtaining the highest single advertised payout, which must statistically occur at least once in 50 million games.

(2) Features. Unless otherwise authorized by the administrator, each slot machine in a casino shall have the following features:

a. A casino number at least two inches in height permanently imprinted, affixed, or impressed on the outside of the machine so that the number may be observed by the surveillance camera.

b. A clear description displayed on the slot machine of any merchandise or thing of value offered as a payout including the cash equivalent value of the merchandise or thing of value offered, the dates the merchandise or thing of value will be offered if the facility establishes a time limit upon initially offering the merchandise or thing of value, and the availability or unavailability to the patron of the optional cash equivalent value. A cash equivalent value shall be at least 75 percent of the fair market value of the merchandise or thing of value offered.

c. Devices, equipment, features, and capabilities, as may be required by the commission, that are specific to each slot machine after the prototype model is approved by the commission.

(3) Storage media. Hardware media devices which contain game functions or characteristics, including but not limited to pay tables and random number generators, shall be verified and sealed with evidence tape by a commission representative prior to being placed in operation, as determined by the administrator

(4) Posting of the actual aggregate payout percentage. The actual aggregate payout percentage to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent (0.1%) of all slot machine games in operation during the preceding three calendar months shall be posted at the main casino entrance, cashier cages, and slot booths by the fifteenth day of each calendar month. For the purpose of this calculation, the actual aggregate payout percentage shall be the slot revenue reported to the commission during the preceding three calendar months divided by the slot coin-in reported to the commission during the preceding three calendar months subtracted from 100 percent.

(5) Communication equipment. Equipment must be installed in each slot machine that allows for communication to an online monitoring and control system accessible, with read-only access, to the commission representatives using a communications protocol provided to each licensed manufacturer by the commission for the information and control programs approved by the administrator

(6) Meter clears. Prior to the clearing of electronic accounting meters detailed in paragraph 11.10(2)"c, " a licensee must notify a commission representative. All meters recorded by the game must be retained according to the requirements in 491-subrule 5.4(14).

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 491-11.9

ARC 8029B, lAB 8/12/09, effective 9/16/09; ARC 9018B, lAB 8/25/10, effective 9/29/10