N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69E-1.19B - Pai gow tiles; receipt; storage; inspections and removal from use

(a) When sets of tiles to be used at pai gow are received from the manufacturer or distributor thereof, they shall immediately following receipt be inspected by a member of the casino security department and a casino supervisor to assure that the seals on each package are intact, unbroken and free from tampering. Packages that do not satisfy these criteria shall be inspected at this time to assure that the tiles conform to Division standards and there is no evidence of tampering. Packages satisfying these criteria, together with packages having unbroken, intact, and untampered seals shall then be placed for storage in a locked cabinet within a primary or secondary storage area. Sets of tiles which are to be distributed to gaming pits or tables for use in gaming shall be distributed from a locked cabinet in the cashiers' cage or from another secure primary storage area, the location and physical characteristics of which shall be approved by the Division. Secondary storage areas shall be used for the storage of surplus tiles. Tiles maintained in secondary storage areas shall not be distributed to gaming pits or tables for use in gaming until the tiles have been moved to a primary storage area. All secondary storage areas shall be located in secure areas, the location and physical characteristics of which shall be approved by the Division.

(b) All primary and secondary storage areas, other than the cashiers' cage, shall have two separate locks. The casino security department shall maintain one key and the casino department or cashiers' cage shall maintain the other key; provided, however, that no person employed by the casino department below the table games shift manager in the organization hierarchy shall have access to the casino department key. Tiles stored in a cabinet within the cashiers' cage shall be secured by a lock, the key to which shall be maintained by a table games shift manager or casino supervisor thereof.

(c) Immediately prior to the commencement of each gaming day and at such other times as may be necessary, the table games shift manager or casino supervisor thereof, in the presence of a casino security officer, shall remove the appropriate number of sets of tiles for that gaming day from a primary storage area.

(d) All envelopes and containers used to hold or transport tiles shall be transparent. The envelopes or containers and the method used to seal them shall be designed or constructed so that any tampering shall be evident.

(e) The table games shift manager or casino supervisor thereof shall distribute sufficient sets of tiles to the pit boss in each pai gow pit.

1. The pit boss shall then distribute the sets to the dealer at each table, and shall place extra sets in reserve at the pit stand.

2. Sets of tiles in reserve shall be placed in a locked compartment, keys to which shall be in the possession of the pit boss or casino supervisor thereof.

(f) If during the course of play, any damaged tiles are detected, the entire set of tiles shall be immediately replaced. The dealer or floorperson shall request that the pit boss bring a substitute set of tiles to the table from the reserve in the pit stand.

1. The set of damaged tiles shall be placed in a sealed envelope, identified by table number, date and time and shall be signed by the dealer and casino supervisor.

2. The pit boss shall maintain the envelope or container in a secure place within the pit until collection by a casino security officer.

(g) Tiles used at pai gow shall be changed at least every 12 hours. The casino supervisor shall collect used tiles which shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container.

1. A label shall be attached to each envelope or container which shall identify the table number, date and time and shall be signed by the dealer and casino supervisor.

2. The pit boss shall maintain the envelopes or containers in a secure place within the pit until collection by a casino security officer.

(h) The casino licensee shall remove any tiles at any time of the gaming day if there is any indication of tampering, flaws, scratches, marks or other defects that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game, or at the request of the Division.

(i) All extra sets of tiles in reserve which have been opened shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container, with a label attached to each envelope or container which identifies the date and time and is signed by the pit boss.

(j) At the end of each gaming day or at such other times as may be necessary, a casino security officer shall collect and sign all envelopes or containers with damaged tiles, tiles used during the gaming day, and all extra tiles in reserve which have been opened, and shall return the envelopes or containers to the casino security department.

(k) At the end of each gaming day or at such other times as may be necessary, a table games shift manager or casino supervisor thereof may collect all extra sets of tiles in reserve which have not been opened. If collected, all unopened sets of tiles shall either be cancelled or destroyed or returned to the storage area.

(l) When the envelopes or containers of used tiles and reserve sets of tiles which have been opened are returned to the casino security department, they shall be inspected for tampering, marks, alterations, missing or additional tiles or anything that might indicate unfair play.

1. The casino licensee shall cause to be inspected all sets of tiles used during the gaming day.

2. The procedures for inspecting all sets of tiles shall at least include the following:

i. The sorting of tiles by pairs;

ii. The visual inspection of the sides and back of each tile for tampering, markings or alterations; and

iii. The inspection of the sides and back of each tile with an ultra-violet light.

3. The individual performing the inspection required by (l)1 and 2 above shall complete a work order form which shall detail the procedures performed and list the tables from which the tiles were removed and the results of the inspection. The individual shall sign the form upon completion of the inspection procedures.

4. Evidence of tampering, marks, alterations, missing or additional tiles or anything that might indicate unfair play discovered at this time, or at any other time, shall be immediately reported to the security department and the Division. A security department member shall complete a two-part Discrepancy Report, which Report along with the evidence shall be retrieved by an agent of the Division. The original and duplicate Report shall contain at a minimum:

i. The date and shift of inspection;

ii. The name of the casino supervisor conducting the inspection. The inspection required by this subsection shall be performed by a casino supervisor other than the one who originally inspected the tiles;

iii. The pit number, table number, and type of game;

iv. A description (for example, shaved corners);

v. The signature of the casino supervisor conducting the inspection;

vi. The signature of the casino security representative taking custody of the tile; and

vii. The signature of the agent of the Division inspecting or accepting the tile, who shall retain the original and return the duplicate to security. A receipt shall be issued to the agent of the Division for any tile retained by the Division. The receipt shall be signed the by the security representative releasing the tile to the Division and the agent of the Division accepting the tile. The receipt shall be retained with the Security copy of the Discrepancy Report. Any tile not retained by the Division shall be destroyed in accordance with the licensee's destruction procedures.

(m) If, after completing the inspection procedures required in (l) above, it is determined that a complete set of 32 tiles removed from a gaming table is free from tampering, markings, or alterations, that set may be returned to the pai gow storage area for subsequent gaming use in accordance with the casino licensee's internal control procedures.

(n) The casino licensee shall include in their internal control, procedures for:

1. An inventory system which shall include the recordation of at least the following:

i. The balance of sets of tiles on hand;

ii. The sets of tiles removed from storage;

iii. The sets of tiles returned to storage or received from the manufacturer;

iv. The date of the transaction; and

v. The signatures of the individuals involved;

2. A reconciliation on a daily basis of the sets of tiles distributed and the sets of tiles destroyed and cancelled, the sets of tiles returned to the storage area and, if any, the sets of tiles in tile reserve; and

3. A physical inventory of the sets of tiles at least once every three months.

i. This inventory shall be performed by an individual with no incompatible functions and shall be verified to the balance of the sets of tiles on hand as required in (n)1i above.

ii. Any discrepancies shall immediately be reported to the Division.

(o) Other than tiles retained for Division inspection and tiles retained for purposes of reconstituting sets of tiles, tiles shall be cancelled or destroyed within 72 hours of collection by the security department. In addition, once tiles retained as evidence by the Division are released to the security department, the tiles shall immediately be destroyed or cancelled, unless retained pursuant to (p) below.

1. Destruction and cancellation of tiles shall take place in a secure place, the location and physical characteristics of which shall be approved by the Division. The adequacy of the destruction and cancellation process shall be approved by the Division.

2. Destruction of tiles shall be by shredding by the security department or a vendor approved by the Division.

3. Cancellation of tiles shall be by drilling a circular hole of at least one fourth of an inch in diameter through the center of each card in the deck.

(p) If, after completing the inspection procedures required in (l) above, it is determined that a complete set of 32 tiles removed from a gaming table is not free from tampering, markings, or alterations, those tiles that exhibit evidence of tampering, markings, or alterations shall be removed and destroyed within 72 hours. The remaining tiles may, consistent with internal controls, be retained for use in reconstituting sets of tiles for subsequent use.

(q) Casino licensees may, consistent with their internal controls, utilize tiles retained pursuant to (p) above to reconstitute sets of tiles found to contain one or more tiles not free from tampering, markings, or alterations by replacing the defective tile or tiles with one or more of the retained tiles.

(r) To ensure the integrity or fairness of the game, or at the request of the Division, any set of tiles that has been reconstituted shall be inspected by games personnel and surveillance personnel prior to being placed into service. Prior to placing reconstituted tile sets into service, games personnel and surveillance personnel shall certify that game integrity is not compromised by using the reconstituted set of tiles.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69E-1.19B

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 615(a), effective 1/16/2018