(a)
A slot machine, table game, table game device, interactive game, sports
wagering device, video gaming terminal or all associated equipment identified
in subsection (c) (collectively referred to as --products-- or --equipment,
device or software--), or a modification thereto, may not be offered for sale,
lease or distribution for ultimate use by a licensee in this Commonwealth
unless a prototype identical in all mechanical, electrical, electronic and
other respects has been tested by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations
and approved by the Board-s Executive Director.
(b) When an applicant for, or holder of, a
license develops software or a system that is functionally equivalent to any of
the slot systems or table game systems enumerated in subsection (c),
interactive game systems, sports wagering systems or video gaming terminal
systems, that software or system shall be subject to the testing and approval
process of this subpart to the same extent as if the software or system were
developed by an applicant for, or holder of, a manufacturer license. Any
reference in this subpart to the responsibilities of a manufacturer applies to
an applicant for, or holder of, a license developing software or systems
subject to testing and approval under this subpart.
(c) For the purposes of this section, slot
machines, table games, table game devices, interactive games, sports wagering
devices, video gaming terminals and all associated equipment that shall be
submitted for testing and approval include:
(1) Slot machines, including bill validators
and printers.
(2) Slot monitoring
systems, to the extent the systems interface with slot machines and related
systems.
(3) Casino management
systems, to the extent the systems interface with slot machines and related
systems.
(4) Player tracking
systems, to the extent the systems interface with slot machines and related
systems.
(5) Progressive systems,
including wide area progressive systems.
(6) Gaming voucher systems.
(7) External bonusing systems.
(8) Cashless funds transfer
systems.
(9) Machines performing
gaming voucher, coupon or jackpot payout transactions.
(10) Coupon systems, to the extent the
systems interface with slot machines and related systems.
(11) Other related systems.
(12) Table game devices including:
(i) Electronic gaming tables as described in
§
605a.4 (relating to electronic
gaming tables).
(ii) Fully
automated electronic gaming tables as described in §
605a.5 (relating to fully
automated electronic gaming tables and electronic wagering
terminals).
(iii) Progressive table
game systems as described in §
605a.7 (relating to progressive
table games).
(iv) Automated card
shuffling devices as described in §
603a.17 (relating to dealing
shoes; automated card shuffling devices).
(v) Electronic dealing shoes as described in
§
603a.17.
(vi) Electronic wagering systems as described
in §
605a.2 (relating to electronic
wagering systems).
(vii) Electronic
wagering terminals as described in §
605a.5.
(viii) Hybrid gaming tables as described in
§
605a.9 (relating to hybrid gaming
tables).
(13)
Interactive games and interactive gaming platforms and systems.
(14) Sports wagering terminals and ticket
redemption terminals.
(15) Video
gaming terminals, including bill validators and ticket printers.
(16) Video gaming voucher redemption
terminals.
(17) Video gaming
terminal tracking and reporting systems.
(d) Slot machine prototypes, table game
prototypes, table game device prototypes, interactive game and platform
prototypes, sports wagering device prototypes, video gaming terminal
prototypes, and all associated equipment prototypes, and modifications thereto,
which are subject to testing and approval under this section will be evaluated
by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations for overall operational integrity
and compliance with the act, this subpart and technical standards adopted by
the Board as published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted
on the Board-s web site. In addition, with regard to any slot machine, fully
automated electronic gaming table, electronic wagering terminal or modification
thereto, the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations will test for compatibility
and compliance with the central control computer and protocol specifications
approved by the Department including the ability to communicate with the
central control computer for the purpose of transmitting auditing program
information, real time information retrieval and activation and disabling of
slot machines, fully automated electronic gaming tables and electronic wagering
terminals.
(e) The Bureau of
Gaming Laboratory Operations may prescribe a standard product submission
checklist, together with supplemental product specific submission checklists
for completion by an applicant for, or holder of, a manufacturer license, to
facilitate the examination and analysis of a prototype or
modification.
(f) The Board may
require the chief engineer of the applicant for, or holder of, a manufacturer
license or the engineer in charge of the division of the manufacturer
responsible for producing the product submitted to attest that the product was
properly and completely tested by the manufacturer prior to its submission to
the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations.
(g) When an applicant for, or holder of, a
manufacturer license to manufacture slot machines, table games, table game
devices, interactive games, sports wagering devices, video gaming terminals and
all associated equipment or a gaming related gaming service provider seeks
Board approval of a slot machine prototype, table game prototype, table game
device prototype, as described in subsection (c)(12), interactive game and
platform prototypes, sports wagering device prototype, video gaming terminal
prototype, associated equipment prototype, or any modification thereto, the
manufacturer or gaming related gaming service provider shall submit to the
Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations the following:
(1) A prototype of the equipment, device or
software accompanied by a written request for testing and approval. The
manufacturer shall transport the equipment, device or software at its own
expense and deliver it to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations in
accordance with instructions provided.
(2) Certifications required under subsection
(f) providing assurances from the manufacturer that the product was properly
and completely tested and emulated by the manufacturer prior to its submission
to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations and that the product, device or
software complies with the act, this subpart and technical standards adopted by
the Board as published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted
on the Board's web site, including applicable requirements related to the
central control computer.
(3) An
executed copy of a current product submission checklist, and any product
specific supplemental submission checklists applicable to the submitted
equipment, device or software.
(4)
A complete, comprehensive and technically accurate description of the
equipment, device or software, accompanied by applicable diagrams, schematics
and specifications, together with documentation with regard to the manner in
which the product was tested and emulated by the manufacturer prior to its
submission to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations.
(5) Any hardware, software and other
equipment, inclusive of technical support and maintenance applicable thereto,
required by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations to conduct the testing
and approval process contemplated by the act, this subpart and technical
standards adopted by the Board as published in the Pennsylvania
Bulletin and posted on the Board's web site. The testing equipment and
services required by this paragraph shall be provided at no cost to the
Board.
(6) In the case of a slot
machine prototype or table game device prototype, the following additional
information:
(i) A copy of all executable
software, including data and graphics information, on electronically readable,
unalterable media.
(ii) A copy of
all source code for programs that cannot be reasonably demonstrated to have any
use other than in a slot machine or electronic gaming table, on electronically
readable, unalterable media.
(iii)
A copy of all graphical images displayed on the slot machine or table game
device, including reel strips, rules, instructions and paytables.
(iv) A mathematical explanation of the
theoretical return to the player, listing all assumptions, all steps in the
formula from the first principles through to the final results of all
calculations including bonus pays and, when a game requires or permits player
skill in the theoretical derivations of the payout return, the source of
strategy.
(v) Hardware block
diagrams of the major subsystems.
(vi) A complete set of schematics for all
subsystems.
(vii) A wiring harness
connection diagram.
(viii) A
technical and an operator manual.
(ix) A description of security methodologies
incorporated into the design of the slot machine table game device, including,
when applicable, encryption methodology for all alterable media,
auto-authentication of software and recovery capability of the slot machine or
table game device for power interruption.
(x) For meters required by this subpart or
technical standards adopted by the Board as published in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board's web site, a
cross reference of product meters to the required meters, if
necessary.
(xi) A description of
tower light functions indicating the corresponding condition.
(xii) A description of error conditions and
the corresponding action required by the operator.
(xiii) A description of the use and function
of available dip switch settings or configurable options.
(xiv) A description of the pseudo random
number generator or generators used to determine game outcome, including a
detailed explanation of operational methodology, and a description of the
manner by which the pseudo random number generator and random number selection
process is impervious to outside influences, interference from
electro-magnetic, electrostatic and radio frequencies, and influence from
ancillary equipment by means of data communications. Test results in support of
representations shall be submitted. For the purposes of this section, "game
outcome" means the results of a wager.
(xv) Specialized hardware, software or
testing equipment, inclusive of technical support and maintenance, needed to
complete the evaluation, which may include an emulator for a specified
microprocessor, PCs, extender cables for CPU boards, target reel strips and
door defeats. The testing equipment and services required by this paragraph
shall be provided at no cost to the Board.
(xvi) A compiler, or reasonable access to a
compiler, for the purpose of building applicable code modules.
(xvii) Program storage media including
EPROMs, EEPROMs and any type of alterable media for slot machine or table game
device software.
(xviii) Technical
specifications for any microprocessor or microcontroller.
(xix) A complete, comprehensive and
technically accurate description of the manner in which the slot machine or
fully automated electronic gaming table was tested for compatibility and
compliance with the central control computer and protocol specifications
approved by the Department including the ability to communicate with the
central control computer for the purpose of transmitting auditing program
information, real time information retrieval and activation and disabling of
slot machines or fully automated electronic gaming tables.
(xx) Additional documentation requested by
the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations relating to the slot machine or
table game device.
(7) In
the case of a modification to a slot machine or table game device prototype,
including a change in theme, the following additional information:
(i) A complete, comprehensive and technically
accurate description of the proposed modification to the slot machine or table
game device prototype, accompanied by applicable diagrams, schematics and
specifications.
(ii) When a change
in theme is involved, a copy of the graphical images displayed on the slot
machine or table game device including reel strips, rules, instructions and
paytables.
(iii) When a change in
the manner in which the theoretical payout percentage is achieved is involved,
a mathematical explanation of the theoretical return to the player, listing all
assumptions, all steps in the formula from the first principles through to the
final results of all calculations including bonus pays and, when a game
requires or permits player skill in the theoretical derivations of the payout
return, the source of strategy.
(iv) A complete, comprehensive and
technically accurate description of the manner in which the slot machine or
fully automated electronic gaming table was tested for compatibility and
compliance with the central control computer and protocol specifications
approved by the Department including the ability to communicate with the
central control computer for the purpose of transmitting auditing program
information, real time information retrieval and activation and disabling of
slot machines or fully automated electronic gaming tables.
(v) Additional documentation requested by the
Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations relating to the modification of the slot
machine or table game device.
(8) In the case of a slot monitoring system,
casino management system, player tracking system, wide area progressive system,
gaming voucher system, external bonusing system, cashless funds transfer
system, automated gaming voucher, coupon redemption or jackpot payout machine,
coupon system, table game device or any other equipment or system required to
be tested and approved under subsection (c):
(i) A technical and an operator
manual.
(ii) A description of
security methodologies incorporated into the design of the system to include,
when applicable, password protection, encryption methodology and its
application, auto-authentication, network redundancy, back-up and recovery
procedures.
(iii) A complete
schematic or network diagram of the system's major components accompanied by a
description of each component's functionality and a software object report. The
description must disclose the functions performed by each component.
(iv) A description of the data flow, in
narrative and in schematic form, including specifics with regard to data
cabling and, when appropriate, communications methodology for multisite
applications.
(v) A list of
computer operating systems and third party software incorporated into the
system together with a description of their interoperability.
(vi) System software and hardware
installation procedures.
(vii) A
list of available system reports.
(viii) When applicable, features for each
system which may include patron and employee card functions, promotions,
reconciliation procedures and patron services.
(ix) A description of the interoperability
testing including test results for each submitted system's connection to, as
applicable, slot machines, voucher, coupon redemption and jackpot payout
machines, computerized systems for counting money, vouchers and coupons. This
list must identify the tested products by manufacturer, model and software
identification and version number.
(x) A narrative describing the method used to
authenticate software.
(xi) All
source code.
(xii) A complete,
comprehensive and accurate description, accompanied by applicable diagrams,
schematics and specifications, of the creation of a voucher and the redemption
options available.
(xiii) A
complete, comprehensive and technically accurate description, accompanied by
applicable diagrams, schematics and specifications, of the creation of a coupon
and the redemption options available.
(xiv) Any specialized hardware, software or
other equipment, inclusive of technical support and maintenance applicable
thereto, required by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations to conduct the
testing and approval process contemplated by the act, this subpart and
technical standards adopted by the Board as published in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board's web site. The
testing equipment and services required by this paragraph shall be provided at
no cost to the Board.
(xv)
Additional documentation requested by the Board related to the equipment or
system being tested.
(9)
In the case of a modification to any of the systems identified in paragraph
(8), the following additional information:
(i)
A complete, comprehensive and technically accurate description of the proposed
modification to the system, accompanied by applicable diagrams, schematics and
specifications.
(ii) A brief
narrative disclosing the purpose for the modification.
(iii) Additional documentation requested by
the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations relating to the
modification.
(10) In the
case of gaming related services, as described in §
613a.1 (relating to definitions;
general requirements), which are submitted by an applicant for or holder of a
manufacturer license or gaming related gaming service provider certification:
(i) A mathematical explanation of the
theoretical return to the player, listing all assumptions, all steps in the
formula from the first principles through to the final results of all
calculations including bonus pays and, when a game requires or permits player
skill in the theoretical derivations of the payout return, the source of the
strategy.
(ii) A detailed
description of the gaming related service including the rules of play and
wagering that would be used for the new table game or feature.
(iii) The true odds, the payout odds and the
house advantage for each wager.
(iv) A sketch or picture of the game layout,
if any.
(v) Sketches or pictures of
the equipment used to play the game.
(11) In the case of slot machines, table
games, table games devices, interactive games, sports wagering devices, video
gaming terminals and all associated equipment or modifications thereto that
have been tested by a registered private testing and certification facility,
the manufacturer or gaming related gaming service provider shall direct the
facility to provide to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations for review a
detailed report from the registered private testing and certification facility
regarding the scope of the testing and the results of the testing performed on
the slot machine, table game, table game device, interactive game, sports
wagering device, video gaming terminal, and all associated equipment or
modification made thereto, in addition to all other items required in the
specific submission checklist to be provided by the manufacturer or gaming
related gaming service provider.
(h) At the conclusion of testing of a
prototype or modification by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations, but
prior to a decision to approve a prototype or modification, the Board-s
Executive Director may require a trial period of scope and duration as he deems
appropriate to assess the operation of the prototype or modification in a live
gaming environment. The conduct of the trial period shall be subject to
compliance by the licensed manufacturer, licensed manufacturer designee,
applicable licensed suppliers, gaming related gaming service provider and the
slot machine licensee with specific terms and conditions as may be required by
the Board-s Executive Director, which may include development and
implementation of product specific accounting and internal controls, periodic
data reporting to the Board-s Executive Director and compliance with technical
standards on trial periods or the prototype or modification adopted by the
Board as published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on
the Board-s web site. The Board-s Executive Director may authorize the receipt
of compensation by a licensed manufacturer, licensed manufacturer designee,
licensed supplier or gaming related gaming service provider during the trial
period. The Board-s Executive Director may order termination of the trial
period if it determines that the licensed manufacturer, licensed manufacturer
designee, applicable licensed suppliers, gaming related gaming service provider
or the slot machine licensee conducting the trial period has not complied with
the terms and conditions required by the Board-s Executive Director or that the
product is not performing as expected.
(i) At the conclusion of testing of a
prototype or modification or after review of the report provided by the
registered private testing and certification facility, the Bureau of Gaming
Laboratory Operations will report to the Board-s Executive Director the results
of its testing and the results from the private testing and certification
facility, if applicable. Upon receipt of the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory
Operations- report, the Board-s Executive Director will either:
(1) Approve, approve with conditions or
reject the submitted prototype or modification.
(2) Require additional testing or a trial
period under subsection (h).
(j) The Board's Executive Director approval
of a prototype or modification does not constitute a guarantee of the
prototype's or modification's safety.
(k) A licensee is prohibited from installing
in its licensed facility or otherwise offering for play equipment, device or
software, or modification thereto, that is required to be tested unless the
equipment, device or software has been approved by the Board-s Executive
Director. A licensee may not modify, alter or tamper with an approved slot
machine, table game, table game device, interactive game, sports wagering
device, video gaming terminal or any associated equipment. Equipment, devices,
or software installed in a licensed facility or otherwise offered for play in
contravention of this requirement will be subject to seizure by the
Board.
(l) Notwithstanding
subsection (k), the Board-s Executive Director may authorize installation of a
modification to a slot machine prototype, table game prototype, table game
device prototype, interactive game or platform prototype, sports wagering
device prototype, video gaming terminal prototype or any associated equipment
prototype on an emergency basis to prevent cheating or malfunction, upon the
written request of a licensed manufacturer. The request must expressly detail
the name and employer of any persons to be involved in the installation of the
modification and the manner in which it is to be effected. Within 15 days of
receipt of any authorization to install an emergency modification, the
manufacturer shall submit the modification for full testing and approval in
accordance with this subpart.
(m) A
licensee shall immediately notify the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations
and the casino compliance representatives at the licensed facility, the Bureau
of Gaming Operations for interactive gaming, the Office of Sports Wagering
Operations, or the Bureau of Casino Compliance for video gaming of any known or
suspected defect or malfunction in any slot machine, table game, table game
device, interactive game, sports wagering device, video gaming terminal or any
associated equipment installed in its licensed facility or on its interactive
gaming web site or mobile application. The licensee shall comply with
instructions issued by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations with regard
to the continued operation of the slot machine, table game, table game device,
interactive game, sports wagering device, video gaming terminal or any
associated equipment.
(n)
Concurrent with the initial receipt of slot machines, a slot machine licensee
shall file a slot machine master list as required by §
463a.5 (relating to slot machine,
electronic wagering terminal and fully automated electronic gaming table master
lists).
(o) The testing of
equipment, devices or software under this subpart may require the dismantling
of the product and testing that may result in damage to, or destruction of, one
or more systems or components. Once submitted for testing, equipment, devices
or software will not be returned to the manufacturer.
(p) The Executive Director shall approve,
approve with conditions, reject the submitted prototype or modification or
require additional testing or a trial period under subsection (h) within 30
days of the complete submission of a slot machine, table game, table game
device, interactive game, sports wagering device, video gaming terminal and all
associated equipment by a manufacturer or gaming related gaming service
provider that has been submitted to the Board for abbreviated certification
with a testing report from a registered private testing and certification
facility. The following apply:
(i) A
submission will not be considered complete if it does not contain all necessary
documentation as required by subsection (g)(11).
(ii) If after the submission is made the
Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations determines that a submission is
incomplete, the manufacturer or gaming related gaming service provider will be
given written notice of the deficiencies in the submission.
(iii) In the instance of an incomplete
submission, the 30-day review for abbreviated certification will only begin
when the manufacturer or gaming related gaming service provider provides the
supplemental information to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory
Operations.
(q) If the
Executive Director fails to approve, approve with conditions, reject the
submitted prototype or modification or require additional testing or a trial
period under subsection (h) within 30 days of the completed submission a slot
machine, table game device, interactive game, sports wagering device, video
gaming terminal and all associated equipment submitted to the Board for
abbreviated certification, the abbreviated certification shall be deemed
conditionally approved until the Executive Director renders a decision under
subsection (i).
(r) If a
manufacturer or gaming related gaming service provider has provided a complete
submission to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations for abbreviated
certification but the review of the submission cannot feasibly be completed
within 30 days, the manufacturer or gaming related gaming service provider will
receive written notice tolling the review of the submission until a time as a
review of the submission can be completed.
(s) If during the 30-day review period in
subsection (p), the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations preliminarily
determines that a complete submission of a slot machine, table game,
interactive game, sports wagering device, video gaming terminal and all
associated equipment contains an issue or insufficiency likely to negatively
affect the integrity of gaming operations, the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory
Operations, by written notice to the manufacturer or gaming related gaming
service provider, will do all of the following:
(i) Specify the nature of the
insufficiency.
(ii) Direct that the
30-day review period in subsection (p) be tolled and that any slot machine,
table game, table game device, interactive game, sports wagering device, video
gaming terminal or any associated equipment not be implemented until approved
under subsection (q).
