N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69E-1.28A - Standards for the approval of a slot machine game

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each slot machine game which requires a wager shall have a theoretical return to player (RTP) equal to or greater than 83 percent.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all winning combinations used in achieving the minimum theoretical RTP for each slot machine game shall be available on each play that requires a wager.

(c) Slot machines shall not offer a play with odds greater than 100 million to 1.

(d) The theoretical RTP of a slot machine game shall not decrease by more than one-hundredth of a percentage point with an increased wager unless the aggregate total of the decreases in theoretical RTP for plays offered by the slot machine game is no more than one-half of one percent.

(e) The following shall not be included as a payout when determining the theoretical RTP of a slot machine:

1. A payout of merchandise or thing of value;

2. A complimentary; or

3. A limited time payout.

(f) The projected contribution from a progressive award may count toward the theoretical RTP of a slot machine in order to achieve the minimum theoretical RTP as approved by the Division.

(g) A slot machine game that requires strategy choices, such as video poker, shall:

1. Have its theoretical RTP calculated based upon the player exercising optimal strategy during game play;

2. Disclose optimal strategy to achieve the highest theoretical RTP; or

3. Provide mathematically sufficient information for the patron to derive optimal strategy in order to achieve the highest theoretical RTP.

(h) When a slot machine offers a play which permits a patron to risk an award or make a subsequent wager as an extension of a game outcome, the slot machine shall:

1. Only allow the patron to risk an award if the award can be increased as a result of continued play; and

2. Disclose the optimal strategy or provide mathematically sufficient information for the patron to derive optimal strategy if the choice affects the theoretical RTP of the slot machine.

(i) After the selection of game outcome, the gaming equipment must not make a variable secondary decision that affects the result shown to the player. For instance, the RNG chooses an outcome that game will lose. The game must not substitute a particular type of loss to show the player.

(j) The slot machine shall be designed in such a manner that prevents scripting and fairly represents the reel symbols selected by the RNG. It is acceptable to display an alternate version of the video reel strips during reel spin animation provided that:

1. The top award and bonus trigger symbols are not displayed more often than they appear on the actual reel strips;

2. The random selection process for game outcome is not affected;

3. Stop positions and adjacent symbols are displayed in the correct order when the spin ends;

4. A description of the alternate spinning video reels is provided to the Division; and

5. The spinning video reel display is not misleading.

(k) A slot machine game that offers free play awards shall not display as a possible outcome any amount that could only be won through the consecutive activation of free play awards won on the wager. For example, if the highest jackpot offered by a slot machine game is $ 1,000 and it is possible to win two free play awards on one wager, the slot machine game shall not display $ 2,000 as a possible jackpot.

(l) Each slot machine game must provide fair notice of the rules of play including all bonus features, denomination, and related pays. When the rules of play are provided electronically, the information shall at minimum:

1. Not require a wager to be read; and

2. Require the patron to exit the display of the rules prior to activating game play.

(m) Gaming devices that allow a patron to select from two or more game themes must be capable of displaying the following:

1. A clear indication of which game has been selected for play; and

2.A clear description of the rules governing the game selected.

(n) Each line played must be clearly marked in order to avoid confusion as to which line is being played. The amount wagered on each line shall also be clearly discernable by the patron.

(o) Winning wagers must be presented to the patron in a manner where the patron can clearly determine which line provided the winning combination.

(p) The button panel must operate correctly in conjunction with the submitted pay table program. For example, the button panel must match the game play in regards to the number of lines being played and number of credits being wagered.

(q) No device connected to a slot machine shall be capable of modifying the approved source code of a slot machine game.

(r) Slot machines may contain a game with an extended play feature where the player is collecting something either towards triggering a bonus, or for an additional payout in the bonus.

(s) When a slot machine offers a bonus feature that is not dependent on the number of patron credits available, the slot machine shall alert the patron of his continued eligibility regardless of whether the patron has credits remaining on the slot machine.

(t) Slot machines with an auto pick feature shall:

1. Disclose to the patron that the slot machine game is designed with an auto pick feature;

2. Disclose the rules regarding the auto pick feature; and

3. When the theoretical RTP is based upon optimal play, select the choice which provides the highest theoretical RTP; or when the theoretical RTP is not based upon optimal play, perform the selection in an unbiased manner.

(u) Each slot machine shall include conspicuous language which states that a malfunction voids all pays.

(v) All free game and re-spin awards must display the remaining number of games left following each free game or re-spin unless otherwise approved by the Division.

(w) Slot machines with a transfer to credit meter feature for jackpots shall:

1.Increment the coin out meter, or other meter as approved by the Division, by the amount of the transfer; and

2.Be connected to a slot monitoring system that:

i. Precludes the duplicate processing of a lock up transferred to the credit meter of an electronic gaming device or generates an alert to the surveillance department upon the occurrence of the processing of a duplicate payment; and

ii. Generates a daily report of all Transfer to Credit Meter transactions.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69E-1.28A

Amended by 47 N.J.R. 1954(a), effective 8/3/2015 Amended by 48 N.J.R. 2161(a), effective 10/17/2016 Amended by 50 N.J.R. 622(a), effective 1/16/2018