58 Pa. Code § 1112a.10 - Progressive video gaming terminals

(a) A progressive video gaming terminal may stand alone or be linked with other progressive video gaming terminals in the same establishment licensee's facility.

(b) Each video gaming terminal that offers a progressive jackpot must have all of the following:

(1) A progressive meter, visible from the front of the video gaming terminal, which may increase in value based upon wagers, that advises the player of the amount which can be won if the player receives the combination on the video gaming terminal that awards the progressive jackpot.

(2) A video gaming terminal paid progressive payout meter.

(3) A cumulative progressive payout meter that continuously and automatically records the total value of progressive jackpots paid directly by the video gaming terminal.

(4) A key and key switch or other reset mechanism to reset the progressive meter or meters.

(5) A key locking the compartment housing the progressive meter or meters or other means by which to preclude any unauthorized alterations to the progressive meters. The key or alternative security method must be different than the key or reset mechanism in paragraph (4).

(6) If the progressive controller is not secured in a video gaming terminal, the progressive controller:

(i) Must be maintained in a secure area approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance.

(ii) Must be dual key controlled with one key controlled by the terminal operator's operations department and the other key controlled by a different designated department with no incompatible functions, as specified in the licensee's internal controls.

(iii) May not be accessed until the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations is electronically notified.

(c) In addition to the requirements in subsection (b), a video gaming terminal that is connected to a common progressive meter for the purpose of offering the same progressive jackpot on two or more video gaming terminals must:

(1) Have the same probability of hitting the combination that will award the progressive jackpot as every other video gaming terminal linked to the common progressive meter.

(2) Require that the same amount in wager be invested to entitle the player to a chance at winning the progressive jackpot and that each increase in wager increment the progressive meter by the same rate of progression as every other video gaming terminal linked to the common progressive meter.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c), two or more linked video gaming terminals offering the same progressive jackpot may be of different denominations or have different wagers, or both, required to win the progressive jackpot, provided that all of the following apply:

(1) The probability of winning the progressive jackpot is directly proportional to the wager required to win that jackpot.

(2) Notice indicating the proportional probability of hitting the progressive jackpot on the linked progressive system is conspicuously displayed on each linked video gaming terminal.

(e) A terminal operator seeking to utilize a linked video gaming terminal shall submit for approval in accordance with § 1112a.4 (relating to submission for testing and approval) the location and manner of installing any progressive meter display mechanism.

(f) A video gaming terminal that offers a progressive jackpot may not be placed in the video gaming area until the terminal operator has submitted all of the following to the Bureau of Casino Compliance for review and approval in accordance with § 1112a.4:

(1) The initial and reset amounts at which the progressive meter or meters will be set.

(2) The proposed system for controlling the keys and applicable logical access controls to the video gaming terminal.

(3) The proposed rate of progression for each progressive jackpot.

(4) The proposed limit for the progressive jackpot, if any.

(5) The calculated probability of winning each progressive jackpot. The probability may not exceed 50 million to 1.

(g) A video gaming terminal that offers either a new progressive jackpot or undergoes a modification or RAM clear of an existing progressive jackpot may not be made available for play by the public until the video gaming terminal has been tested and certified by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations. For purposes of this subsection, a modification includes any change in the software, hardware, including controllers, and any associated equipment that relates to progressive functionality.

(h) Progressive jackpot meters may not be turned back to a lesser amount unless one of the following occurs:

(1) The amount indicated has been actually paid to a winning patron and the progressive jackpot amount has been recorded in accordance with a system of internal controls.

(2) With written approval, the progressive jackpot has been transferred to another progressive video gaming terminal in accordance with subsection (k)(4).

(3) The change is necessitated by a video gaming terminal or meter malfunction. An explanation for the change shall be entered on the progressive video gaming terminal summary required under this subpart and the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations shall be notified of the resetting in writing.

(i) Once an amount appears on a progressive meter, the probability of hitting the combination that will award the progressive jackpot may not be decreased unless the progressive jackpot has been won by a patron, has been transferred to another progressive video gaming terminal or has been removed in accordance with subsection (k).

(j) When a video gaming terminal has a progressive meter with digital limitations on the meter, the terminal operator shall set a limit on the progressive jackpot not to exceed the display capability of the progressive meter.

(k) A terminal operator may limit, transfer or terminate a progressive jackpot offered in a video gaming area only under the following circumstances:

(1) A terminal operator shall establish a payout limit for a progressive jackpot of $1,000.

(2) A terminal operator may terminate a progressive jackpot concurrent with the winning of the progressive jackpot provided its video gaming terminal program or progressive controller was configured prior to the winning of the progressive jackpot to establish a fixed reset amount with no progressive increment.

(3) A terminal operator may immediately and permanently remove one or more linked video gaming terminal from a gaming floor, provided that the terminal operator retains at least one video gaming terminal offering the same progressive jackpot in its video gaming area.

(4) A terminal operator may transfer a progressive jackpot amount on a standalone video gaming terminal or the common progressive jackpot on an entire link of video gaming terminal with a common progressive meter from a video gaming area provided the terminal operator receives written approval from the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations prior to the transfer and the accrued amount minus the seed amount of the progressive jackpot is:

(i) Transferred in its entirety.

(ii) Transferred to one of the following:

(A) The progressive meter for a video gaming terminal with the same or similar probability of winning the progressive jackpot, the same or lower wager requirement to be eligible to win the progressive jackpot and the same type of progressive jackpot.

(B) The progressive meters of two separate video gaming terminals provided that each video gaming terminal to which the jackpot is transferred individually satisfies the requirements in clause (A).

(iii) Notice of intent to transfer the progressive jackpot is conspicuously displayed on the front of each video gaming terminal for at least 30 days.

(5) If a transfer cannot be made in accordance with paragraph (4) or with good cause shown, a terminal operator may remove progressive functionality, change the game theme or permanently remove a standalone progressive video gaming terminal, or an entire link of video gaming terminal with a common progressive jackpot from a video gaming area, provided all of the following:

(i) Notice of intent to remove the progressive video gaming terminals is conspicuously displayed on the front of each video gaming terminal for at least 30 days.

(ii) Prior to posting the notice of intent required under subparagraph (i), the terminal operator licensee receives written approval from the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations to remove the progressive video gaming terminal.

(l) Progressive video gaming terminal removed from the video gaming area in accordance with subsection (k)(5) may not be returned to the gaming floor for 90 days.

(m) The amount indicated on the progressive meter or meters and coin in meter on each video gaming terminal governed by subsection (b) must be recorded on a progressive video gaming terminal summary report at least once every 7 calendar days and each report shall be signed by the preparer. If not prepared by the terminal operator's finance department, the progressive video gaming terminal summary report shall be forwarded to the finance department by the end of the gaming day on which it is prepared. A representative of the finance department shall be responsible for calculating the correct amount that should appear on a progressive meter. If an adjustment to the progressive meters is necessary, the adjustment shall be made by a member of the video gaming terminal operations department as follows:

(1) Supporting documentation shall be maintained to explain any addition or reduction in the registered amount on the progressive meter. The documentation must include the date, asset number of the video gaming terminal, the amount of the adjustment, and the signatures of the finance department member requesting the adjustment and of the video gaming terminal operations department member making the adjustment.

(2) The adjustment shall be effectuated within 48 hours of the meter reading.

(n) Except as otherwise authorized by this section, a video gaming terminal offering a progressive jackpot that is temporarily removed from the video gaming area shall be returned to active play or replaced in the video gaming area within 5 gaming days. The amount on the progressive meter or meters on the returned or replacement video gaming terminal may not be less than the amount on the progressive meter or meters at the time of removal.

(o) When a video gaming terminal is located adjacent to a video gaming terminal offering a progressive jackpot, the terminal operator shall conspicuously display a notice advising patrons that the video gaming terminal is not participating in the progressive jackpot of the adjacent video gaming terminal.

Notes

58 Pa. Code § 1112a.10