N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69E-1.28B - Slot machine control programs and operating systems

(a) Control programs responsible for fundamental game operations, including executable programs, random number generation, communications protocol, game outcome, game meters, and software verification, shall:

1. Not be in-circuit programmable;

2. Satisfy Division rules regarding alterable media; and

3. Monitor and detect corruption in random access memory (RAM) portions that contains critical game code.

(b) Control programs shall cause the slot machine to enter into a hard tilt and require a RAM clear if the slot machine experiences an unrecoverable RAM failure. If the failure is recoverable, the control program shall perform the following prior to restoration of game play:

1. Verify that the physical RAM is fully operational; and

2. Verify that the repopulated code in RAM is authentic.

(c) Slot machines shall be designed to maintain RAM content in the event of power interruptions and failures for a period of 15 days.

(d) Control programs shall be designed to permit the external validation of critical game content using Game Authentication Terminal (GAT) or other method approved by the Division.

(e) Control programs shall prevent the unused portion of memory from being compromised by setting the memory to either 00 or FF for read only memory (ROM) devices, or utilize another method as approved by the Division.

(f) Control programs shall be designed with logic that prevents the unauthorized transfer of credits from one slot machine to another by swapping logic boards, or utilize physical controls that prevent the unauthorized transfer of credits.

(g) Control programs shall be designed to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical game configurations and settings.

(h) The control program shall prevent game settings from being adjusted while there are credits on the player's credit meter or while a game is in progress.

(i) Control programs shall be capable of storing and recalling the last 10 games inclusive of the last 50 results generated from, but not limited to, bonus rounds, optimal strategy choices and free spin games. The game history must display the game outcome, credits available, wagers placed, as well credits or coins awarded.

(j) Control programs shall employ a method to advise a player when a jackpot not paid automatically and totally by the machine has been won. The control program shall cause the slot machine to automatically preclude a player from operating the slot machine until the slot machine has subsequently been reset.

(k) Control programs shall be designed to calculate and report all meters required by Division rules.

(l) Control programs shall be designed to:

1. Prevent required meters from being edited or erased a unless the media containing the data is cleared using a specific procedure approved by the Division and designed for that purpose;

2. Ensure the meter is reset to zero and restart its cycle once the meter maximum has been reached; and

3. Increment all meters in units equal to the denomination of the device or in dollars and cents.

(m) Control programs shall store and display the following to the patron:

1. The current credit balance;

2. The current bet or wager;

3. Each winning combination and corresponding win amount;

4. The total amount won;

5. The player options selected for the last completed game;

6. The current denomination played; and

7. The current line(s) played.

(n) Control programs shall cause credits that are available for play to be wagered in the following order:

1. Non-cashable credits; and

2. All other credits.

(o) Control programs shall be designed to recognize and report the following game errors to an approved slot monitoring system at a minimum:

1. Low battery condition;

2. Communications interruption;

3. Bill jams;

4. Bill acceptor malfunction;

5. Printer jam or failure;

6. Power restoration; and

7. Printer disconnected.

(p) All control programs shall be designed to recognize and report the following game error codes, at a minimum, to a slot monitoring system and place the slot machine into an unplayable status or tilt:

1. Game memory malfunction;

2. Program error/authentication mismatch;

3. Hopper errors;

4. Stacker door open;

5. Stacker removed;

6. External doors open such as the main, belly, and drop door;

7. Power outage; and

8. Reel tilt.

(q) Control programs shall be designed to notify the patron and casino licensee of any slot machine tilts via an error message or other method approved by the Division.

(r) Control programs shall prevent a slot machine game from becoming operational once an error or power outage has been detected unless the control program restores the slot machine to the state it was in before the error or power outage occurred.

(s) Each control program shall be capable of generating historical logs that record the occurrence of the following at a minimum:

1. Coin errors;

2. Hopper errors;

3. Bill jams;

4. Stacker door open;

5. Stacker removed;

6. Bill acceptor malfunction;

7. Printer jam failure;

8. Printer disconnected;

9. External doors open (examples: main, belly, drop, etc.);

10. RAM error;

11. Low RAM battery;

12. Program error/authentication mismatch; and

13. Power cycle.

(t) Control programs shall be designed to detect errors associated with secondary devices, such as mechanical top boxes, reels and displays which are used to indicate game outcomes. Those malfunctions must place the gaming equipment in an unplayable state.

(u) Control programs for a slot machine equipped with tokenization shall ensure that the slot machine only accepts slot tokens with a denomination of $ 1.00 or less if a residual slot credit cannot be redeemed. Any residual slot credit not played or redeemed by a patron shall be deemed abandoned; provided, however, that any such credit shall remain on the slot machine until:

1. Played or redeemed by a patron, or

2. Cancelled by the casino licensee in a manner described in the licensee's internal controls.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:69E-1.28B

Amended by 47 N.J.R. 1954(a), effective 8/3/2015