Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024
3.01
Definitions
The following words and terms, when used in these Rules, shall
have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
1. "Commission" means the
Arkansas Racing Commission or its successor having jurisdiction over Casino
Gaming in this state. The Arkansas Racing Commission is responsible for all
Licensing, adjudication of fines, Certification of Casino games,
Appeals/Rulings and approval of all Casino Gaming plans.
2. "Distributor" means any person that sells,
leases, or offers, or otherwise provides, distributes, or services any Casino
Gaming or associated equipment for use or play of Casino Gaming in a Casino
Licensee's facility. A Manufacturer may be a distributor.
3. "Casino Gaming Section" means the Office
of Field Audit within the Revenue Division of the Commission. The Casino Gaming
Section is assigned responsibility for auditing and review of internal controls
and the day-to-day operations of Casino Gaming. This would include full
administrative regulatory jurisdiction and exercise of the duties, powers and
responsibilities over Casino Gaming as authorized by Amendment 100.
4. "Casino Licensee" means any person holding
a license to conduct Casino Gaming pursuant to Amendment 100.
5. "Gaming Floor" means the designated area
where Casino Gaming activities occur.
6. "Gaming Operator" means a Casino Licensee
that is conducting the operation of Casino Gaming.
7. "Identification Credential" means a valid
driver license, passport or other document generally accepted in business as a
form of identification and which contains, at a minimum, the person's
signature. A personal reference does not constitute an Identification
Credential.
8. "Incompatible
function" means a function for accounting control purposes that places any
person, employed by or department established by the Casino Licensee, in a
position to both perpetrate and conceal errors or irregularities in the normal
course of their duties. Anyone recording Transactions and having access to
assets ordinarily is in a position to perpetrate errors or irregularities.
Persons may have Incompatible Functions if such persons are members of
departments which have supervisors not independent of each other.
9. "Intermediary company" means a
corporation, firm, association, partnership, trust or any other form of
business organization other than a natural person which is a holding company
with respect to a corporation which holds or applied for a Gaming License; and
is a subsidiary with respect to any holding company.
10. "Manufacturer" means any person who
manufactures, builds, rebuilds, fabricates, assembles, produces, programs,
designs, or otherwise makes modifications to any Casino Gaming or associated
equipment for Casino Gaming purposes. A Manufacturer may be a Distributor, as
approved by the Commission.
11.
"Surveillance System" means any facility, not controlled by the Commission
employees, that has been approved by the Commission to receive transmissions
from the surveillance department's security system including, without
limitation, system monitoring rooms, surveillance department offices, system
repair areas, and system emergency facilities.
12. "Transaction" a Transaction includes
deposit, withdrawal, transfer between accounts, exchange of currency, loan,
extension of credit, purchase or redemption of gaming instruments or any other
payment, transfer, or delivery to a Casino Licensee, by whatever means
affected.
13. "Wager" a sum of
money or thing of value bet on Casino Gaming.
3.02
Restriction of Doing
Business
(a) No entity shall
manufacture, sell or lease, distribute, repair or provide Casino Gaming
maintenance services of Casino Gaming equipment to a Casino Licensee for its
Casino Gaming operations in the State of Arkansas unless it holds a current
Service Industry License issued by the Commission in accordance with these
Rules.
(b) No entity shall provide
management or operational services to a Casino Licensee for its Casino Gaming
operations in the State of Arkansas unless it holds a current Service Industry
License issued by the Commission in accordance with these Rules.
(c) Service Industry Licenses issued pursuant
to Regulations for Franchise Holders Operating Electronic Games of Skill shall
also be valid Service Industry Licenses for Casino Gaming and shall be subject
to the requirements of these Rules. Such Service Industry Licenses shall expire
and be subject to renewal three years from the date of issuance of such license
for Electronic Games of Skill.
3.03
Determining the Need for a
Service Industry License
(a) Any entity
which satisfies one or more of the following criteria shall, unless it is
otherwise set forth in these Rules, obtain a Service Industry License to carry
out business with a Casino Licensee in the State of Arkansas.
i. The entity manufactures, sells or leases,
supplies or distributes devices, machines, equipment, accessories, objects or
articles which:
(1) Are designed specifically
for use in Casino Gaming operations of the Casino Licensee;
(2) Are needed to carry out the activities of
an authorized game;
(3) Have the
capacity to affect the result of the play of an authorized game; or
(4) Have the capacity to affect the
calculation, storage, collection or control of the gross revenues.
ii. The entity provides
maintenance services or repairs gaming equipment for Casino Gaming of the
Casino Licensee;
iii. The entity
provides management or operational services to a Casino Licensee for its Casino
Gaming operations.
iv. All other
suppliers of materials, maintenance, supplies, management, or operational
services. This would include security systems, gaming devices and money
handling/storage devices; or
v. The
entity is conducting more than $150,000 in business with one Casino
Licensee.
3.04
General Parameters of Granting a
Service Industry License
(a) An
applicant for a Service Industry License shall submit to the Commission the
information, documentation and guarantees necessary to establish through clear
and convincing evidence:
i. The stability,
integrity and economic responsibility of the applicant;
ii. The good character (if an individual),
honesty and integrity of the applicant;
iii. That the owners, administrative and
supervisory personnel, principal employees and sales representatives of the
applicant comply with the parameters provided in Section 13.10 Qualifying as a
Person Related to a Service Industry of these Rules;
iv. The integrity of the investors, mortgage
creditors, guarantors and holders of bonds, notes and other evidences of debt
which are in any way related to the entity; and
v. The integrity of all the officers,
directors and trustees of applicant.
3.05
Initial Application for a Service
Industry License
(a) The initial
application for a Service Industry License shall consist of an original and a
copy of the following documents:
i. Arkansas
Racing Commission Business Entity Disclosure Form for Service Industry
Licensee, to be completed by the applicant and by each company, individual or
entity holding an interest in applicant;
ii. Arkansas Racing Commission Personal
History Disclosure and Supplemental form of Persons Related with Service
Industries, to be completed by each natural person who must be qualified for a
license by the Commission in accordance with these Rules; and
iii. The fees to be paid to the Commission,
as provided in these Rules.
iv. The
Commission shall not evaluate an initial Service Industry License application
unless same is accompanied by all the information required in these Rules,
including all the documents requested in paragraph (a) above; provided that any
incomplete application filed with the Commission shall be deemed to be as if
same had not been filed.
(b) Burden of proof - It shall be the
responsibility of the Service Industry applicant and its principals to provide
information and or documentation and to demonstrate their qualifications by
clear and convincing evidence relative to the character, honesty and integrity
of its directors, officers, stockholders and principal employees, to the
Commission.
(c) No person may sell
or otherwise supply Casino Gaming related equipment or services to a Casino
Licensee for the conduct of Casino Gaming as authorized in this chapter unless
the person has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Commission that the
person has the capability and qualifications necessary to reasonably furnish
the equipment and perform the services to be provided by the
supplier.
3.06
Duration of Service Industry License
(a) Every Service Industry License shall be
issued by the Commission for a period of 3 years.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of
paragraph (a) above, the Commission may, as it may deem necessary:
i. issue any Service Industry License for a
shorter period;
ii. at any time,
void the Service Industry License for reasonable cause.
3.07
Service Industry
License Renewal Application
(a) Every
Service Industry License renewal application shall be filed no later than
ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date of said license.
(b) The Service Industry License renewal
application shall include:
1. A duly
completed original and a photocopy of:
i. An
Arkansas Racing Commission Business Entity Disclosure form Service Industry
Application, which shall contain all the information that has changed from the
date of the application for the initial Service Industry License or of the last
renewal, to be completed by the applicant and by each holding company of
applicant;
ii. An Arkansas Racing
Commission Personal History Disclosure and Supplemental form of Persons Related
with Service Industry Licensees to be completed by each natural person who must
be licensed in accordance with these Rules, and who has not been licensed by
the Commission; and Arkansas Racing Commission Personal History Disclosure form
and Supplemental Personal History Disclosure form of Persons Related with
Service Industry Licensee-Renewal to be completed by any natural person
required to be licensed in accordance with these Rules and who has already been
licensed by the Commission.
3.08
Service Industry License
Fees
(a) The fees to be paid for the
initial or renewal application for a Service Industry License shall be
determined by the Commission and published on the Commission website. This does
not include the actual cost of the investigation(s), which is to be billed to
and paid by the applicant to the Commission.
(b) The fees to be paid for the initial
application shall cover administrative costs related to the processing of the
application.
(c) The renewal
application fee in the amount determined by the Commission shall be made
payable to the Commission and submitted with the Service Industry License
Renewal Form.
(d) The license will
not be approved until the fees, including the investigative costs, have been
paid by the applicant.
3.09
Service Industry Disqualification
Criteria
(a) The Commission may deny a
Service Industry License to any applicant which, in the opinion of the
Commission:
i. Has not proved through clear
and convincing evidence that the applicant and any of the persons required to
be licensed in accordance with these Rules are in fact duly
qualified;
ii. Has violated any of
the provisions of these Rules; iii. The applicant has failed to provide
information or documentation requested in writing by the Commission in a timely
manner, which shall not exceed (30) business days from the date of request by
the Commission without reasonable justification and an extension granted by the
Commission;
iii. The Commission
shall deny a Service Industry License to any applicant who does not satisfy the
standards for entity licensing in this document.
3.10
Qualification
Requirements - Service Industry License
(a) The Commission shall not issue a Service
Industry License to any entity unless the applicant has established the
individual qualifications of each one of the following entities or persons if
applicable:
i. The entity;
ii. The holding company(s) of the
entity;
iii. Every owner of the
entity who has, directly or indirectly, any interest in or is the owner of more
than five percent (5%) of the entity;
iv. Every owner of a holding company of the
entity which the Commission deems necessary to promote the purposes of these
Rules;
v. Any director of the
entity, except such director who, in the opinion of the Commission, is not
significantly involved in or related with the administration of the
entity;
vi. Every officer of the
entity who is significantly involved in or who has authority over the manner in
which the business dealing with the activities of Casino Licensee and any
officer who the Commission considers necessary to protect the good character,
honesty and integrity of the entity;
vii. Any officer of the holding company of
the entity who the Commission considers necessary to protect the good
character, honesty and integrity of the entity;
viii. Any employee who supervises the
regional or local office which employs the sales representatives who shall
solicit business from or negotiate directly with a Casino Licensee;
ix. Any employee who shall function as a
sales representative or who shall be regularly dedicated to soliciting business
from any Casino Licensee in the State of Arkansas;
x. Any other person connected to an entity
who the Commission considers should be licensed.
xi. This part does not apply to an
institutional investor (as defined by the Federal Securities and Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended) that acquires or will acquire 10% or less of the equity
securities of an applicant or licensee that is a publicly traded corporation if
those holdings were purchased for investment purposes only and the
institutional investor files with the Commission a certified statement that it
has no intention of influencing or affecting directly or indirectly, the
affairs of the licensee; the investor will be permitted to vote on matters put
to the vote of the outstanding security holders.
(b) In order to establish the individual
qualifications, the persons specified in subparagraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of
this section shall complete an Arkansas Racing Commission Business Entity
Disclosure.
(c) In order to
establish the individual qualifications, the persons specified in subparagraphs
(a)(iii) through (a)(x) of this section shall complete an Arkansas Racing
Commission Personal History Disclosure form of Persons Related with Service
Industry Licensee.
3.11
Qualifying as a Person Related with a Service Industry License
(a) Any natural person who is required to be
licensed, because of his/her relationship with a Service Industry License
applicant, shall provide to the Commission the information, documentation and
assurances necessary to establish through clear and convincing evidence:
i. His/her relationship with the
entity;
ii. That he/she is 21 years
of age (this only applies to those employees who service gaming machines or
work on the Gaming Floor who have access to the machines or games);
iii. That he/she is of good character and
reputation, in addition to being honest and having integrity; and
iv. That he/she has not been convicted
including "nolo contendere" and "withheld adjudication" by any state or federal
court in the Country for:
(1) Committing,
intending to commit or conspiring to commit a crime of moral turpitude, illegal
appropriation of funds or robbery, or any violation of a law related to games
of chance or skill, or a crime which is contrary to the declared policy of the
Arkansas Racing Commission with respect to the gaming industry; or
(2) Committing, intending to commit or
conspiring to commit a crime which is a felony in the State of Arkansas or a
misdemeanor in another jurisdiction which would be a felony if committed in the
State of Arkansas.
(b) Not satisfying with any one of the
requirements established in paragraph (a) above shall be sufficient reason for
the Commission to deny a Service Industry License.
(c) The Commission shall deny any person
required to qualify in conjunction with a Service Industry License that does
not satisfy the standards set forth within these Rules.
3.12
Investigations; Supplementary
Approval of Change
(a) The Commission
or its representatives may, at its discretion, conduct any investigation with
respect to an applicant or any person related with an applicant who it deems
pertinent, either at the time of the initial application or at any subsequent
time.
(b) It shall be the
continuous duty of any applicant or holder of a Service Industry License to
fully cooperate with the Commission or its representatives during any
investigation and provide any supplementary information that the Commission or
its representatives requests.
(c)
It shall be the duty of any applicant or holder of a Service Industry License
to notify the Commission within 10 business days of any proposed changes in the
ownership of the applicant or licensee. If the applicant or holder of a Service
Industry License is publicly traded company, it does not have to report changes
in ownership unless the change represents five percent (5%) or more of the
total shares issued and outstanding or ten percent (10%) or more of the total
shares issued and outstanding if the change is the result of an institutional
investor. In such cases, the licensee shall provide the Commission with copies
of the most recent notice filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
All proposed new owners shall submit to the Commission or its representatives
an initial Service Industry License application, which must be approved by the
Commission. Any failure to comply with this Rule shall be grounds for
revocation of an existing license or denial of an application for a
license.
3.13
Suspension, Denial of Renewal or Revocation of a Service Industry
License
(a) Any of the following
reasons shall be considered sufficient cause for the suspension, denial of
renewal or revocation of a Service Industry License:
i. Violation of any provision of these
Rules;
ii. Conduct which would
disqualify the applicant or any other person required to be licensed by the
Commission;
iii. Failure to comply
with any applicable law, state or federal or regulation, or county or municipal
ordinance;
iv. The material
misstatement made in the application for the Service Industry
License.
(b)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) above, any other cause that
the Commission deems reasonable shall be considered sufficient cause for the
suspension, denial of renewal or revocation of a Service Industry
License.
3.14
Commercial Transaction in the Absence of a Service Industry License
(a) The Commission, at its discretion, may
permit any Service Industry License applicant to carry out a commercial
Transaction with a Casino Licensee before said Service Industry entity has
obtained the Service Industry License required as long as:
i. The applicant has filed with the
Commission a completed application for a Service Industry License;
ii. At least thirty (30) days has passed
since the filing of said completed application with the Commission;
and
iii. The Casino Licensee
submits to the Commission a petition for special authorization to carry out a
commercial Transaction in the absence of a Service Industry License which
contains:
(1) Sufficient reasons to convince
the Commission to grant the special authorization to the applicant;
and
(2) A description of the
commercial Transaction that it desires to carry out.
(b) The Commission shall evaluate
said petition for special authorization to carry out a commercial Transaction
in the absence of a Service Industry License and shall notify the Casino
Licensee of its decision in writing within a reasonable period.
3.15
Exemption to Service
Industry License
(a) The Commission may
exempt an entity from the requirement of obtaining a Service Industry License
if the Commission determines that said entity is not operating its business in
a regular and continuous manner as defined in (d) below.
(b) Any entity which is interested in
obtaining an exemption from the requirement of obtaining a Service Industry
License in accordance with this section shall apply in writing to the
Commission for said exemption.
(c)
The exemption application shall contain the following information:
i. Name, address and detailed description of
the service offered by the entity;
ii. Name of the owners, directors, officers
and managerial employees of the entity;
iii. The Casino Licensee to whom they will
provide services and a description of the service to be provided, including the
quantity and cost of the services;
iv. Number and frequency of the
Transactions;
v. Dollar amount of
the Transactions; and
vi.
Sufficient reasons to convince the Commission as to why granting the entity a
license is not necessary to protect the public interest or advance the
Commission's policies relating to gaming.
(d) The Commission may determine that an
entity is not operating its business in a regular and continuous manner if the
applicant demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Commission, that the goods
or services provided by the entity are in minimal or insignificant amounts, and
that granting the same a Service Industry License is not necessary to protect
the public interest or advance the policies established by the Commission
relating to gaming.
(e) In order to
determine if an entity operates or will operate in a regular or continuous
manner, the Commission may take the following factors into consideration, among
others:
i. Number of Transactions;
ii. Frequency of the Transactions;
iii. Dollar amount of Transactions;
iv. Nature of the equipment or services
rendered or business carried out;
v. Maximum period of time necessary to
provide the equipment, carry out the services or complete in its entirety the
business subject of the Transaction; and
vi. The public interest and the policy
established by the Commission relating to casino gaming.
(f) Any entity which has been exempt by the
Commission from the requirement of obtaining a Service Industry License in
accordance with this section shall notify the Commission before carrying out
any commercial contract or business transaction, with a Casino
Licensee.
3.16
Records Requirements for Service Industry Licensee
(a) Any Service Industry entity authorized by
the Commission shall maintain in a place secure against robbery, loss or
destruction, the records corresponding to the business operations, which shall
be available to, and be produced for the Commission in case the Commission
requests them. Said records shall include:
i.
Any correspondence with the Commission and other governmental agencies at a
local, state and federal level;
ii.
Any correspondence related to the business with a Casino Licensee, whether
proposed or existing;
iii. Copies
of any publicity and promotional materials;
iv. The personnel files for every employee of
the authorized Service Industry entity, including those for the sales
representatives;
v. The financial
records for all the Transactions related to the business with a Casino
Licensee, whether proposed or existing;
(b) The records listed in Subparagraph (a)
above shall at least be kept for a period of five (5) years.
3.17
Business Entity
Disclosure for Service Applicant Forms
(a) Arkansas Racing Commission Business
Entity Disclosure form shall be completed in the format provided by the
Commission.
3.18
Personal History Disclosure Form
(a)
The Commission may require an Arkansas Racing Commission Personal History
Disclosure form from all those natural persons required under Section 13.9, to
fill out the same.
3.19
Obligation for Payment of Fees; No Refund of Fees Paid
(a) Any obligation for payment of fees
arising from these Rules shall be paid in full to the Commission, even when the
entity withdraws its application for a Service Industry License or the license
is denied.
(b) No amounts paid for
Service Industry License fees shall be refundable.
(c) Any failure to pay fees when due shall
result in a late fee penalty established by the Commission, denial or
revocation of a license.
3.20
Responsibility of the Casino
Licensee
(a) Any Casino Licensee that
will be receiving a service shall be responsible for confirming that the entity
with which it will carry out the business holds a Service Industry License or
has obtained a special authorization in accordance with these Rules, or an
exemption in accordance with these Rules.
(b) Any violation of subparagraph (a) above
shall be sufficient cause for sanctions by the Commission.
3.21
Transitory Provisions
(a) Any entity which manufactures, sells or
leases, distributes or repairs or provides maintenance services or any other
service to a Casino Licensee with respect to Casino Gaming shall comply with
the provisions of these Rules beginning on the effective date the
same.
3.22
Vendor's List
(a) The Commission or its
representatives shall also maintain a Prohibited Vendor List, which shall
include all vendors who are prohibited from conducting business with a Casino
Licensee. The Commission shall provide this list to the Casino
Licensees.
(b) Engaging in business
with a vendor on the Prohibited Vendor List by the Casino Licensee may result
in monetary fines not to exceed $5,000.
3.23
Temporary Service Industry
Licensing
(a) If an applicant for a
manufacturer, distributor or entity providing services to a Casino Licensee
holds a similar license in another jurisdiction in the United States, the
applicant may submit a written request with its application for the Commission
to grant a temporary Service Industry license. The Commission may use the
temporary licensing process if:
i. The
Commission determines, after investigation, that the licensing standards in a
jurisdiction in which the applicant is licensed are similarly comprehensive,
thorough and provide equal, if not greater, safeguards as provided in Amendment
100 or these Rules and that granting the request is in the public
interest;
ii. A completed
application has been filed by the applicant;
iii. The applicant has provided current,
updated information to the Commission associated with the similar license in
the other jurisdiction related to its financial viability and
suitability.
iv. The applicant has
no administrative or enforcement actions pending in another jurisdiction or the
applicant has adequately disclosed and explained the action to the satisfaction
of the Commission;
v. There are no
pending or ongoing investigations of possible material violations by the
applicant in another jurisdiction or the applicant has adequately disclosed and
explained the investigation to the satisfaction of the Commission;
vi. This section shall not be construed to
waive fees associated with obtaining a license through the application process
in this State.
3.24
Independent Casino Gaming Testing
Laboratory License
(a) Testing Lab
License
i. All Casino Gaming and associated
equipment must be tested by a laboratory licensed by the Commission to ensure
that the games and equipment comply with Arkansas law and the Rules of the
Commission. No Casino Licensee shall operate or allow wagering on any Casino
Gaming equipment that has not been tested by a licensed laboratory, and the
Commission must approve the test results from the licensed laboratory prior to
the Casino Licensee allowing wagering on the Casino Gaming equipment.
ii. EGS Testing Laboratory Licenses issued
pursuant to Regulations for Franchise Holders Operating Electronic Games of
Skill shall also be valid Casino Gaming Testing Licenses for Casino Gaming and
shall be subject to the requirements of these Rules. Such Casino Gaming Testing
Laboratory Licenses shall expire and be subject to renewal three years from the
date of issuance of such license for Electronic Games of Skill.
(b) Independent Status of
Laboratory
To qualify for a Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory license, the
applicant must:
i. Be independent from
any manufacturer, distributor, or operator of any game, gaming device,
associated equipment, cashless wagering system, inter-casino linked system,
mobile gaming system or interactive gaming system, or any component thereof or
modification thereto, regardless of whether or not such person or entity is
licensed, registered, or otherwise does business in Arkansas;
(c) To be considered independent
from a manufacturer. distributor, or operator under these Rules, the
independent testing laboratory, including its employees, management, directors,
owners, compliance committee members and gaming regulatory advisors, with the
exception of the independent testing laboratory's external accountants and
attorneys:
i. Must not have a financial or
other interest, direct or otherwise, in a manufacturer, distributor, or
operator of any game, gaming device, associated equipment, cashless wagering
system, inter-casino linked system, mobile gaming system or interactive gaming
system, or any component thereof or modification thereto, regardless of whether
or not the person or entity is licensed, registered, or otherwise does business
in Arkansas;
(d) General
Parameters of Granting a Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory License
i. An applicant for a Casino Gaming Testing
Laboratory License shall submit to the Commission the information,
documentation and guarantees necessary to establish, through clear and
convincing evidence, the following:
(1) The
stability, integrity and economic responsibility of the applicant;
(2) The good character (if an individual),
honesty and integrity of the applicant;
(3) That the owners, administrative and
supervisory personnel, principal employees and sales representatives of the
applicant comply with the parameters provided in these Rules Qualifying as a
Person Related to an Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory;
(4) The integrity of all the officers,
directors and trustees of applicant.
ii. Be accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC
1 7025 by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the International
Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Agreement, unless the
independent testing laboratory is only seeking registration for the inspection
and certification of games and game variations;
iii. Demonstrate it is technically competent
in testing the category of game, device, or system in which it is seeking
registration, and that the applicant has a minimum of five years of experience
in testing gaming devices;
iv.
Demonstrate it is technically competent to test compliance with the applicable
Arkansas statutes, regulations, standards and policies.
v. Detailed description of the testing
facilities;
vi. Detailed
description of available testing staff and staff qualifications, including
education, training, experience and skill levels;
vii. Detailed description of available
testing equipment;
viii. Copies of
documented policies, systems, programs, procedures and instructions to assure
the quality of test results;
ix.
Copies of all test scripts to be used for testing against the applicable
Arkansas statutes, regulations, standards, and policies.
(e) Initial Application for a Casino Gaming
Testing Laboratory License
i. The initial
application for a Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory License shall consist of an
original and a copy of the following documents:
(1) Arkansas Racing Commission Business
Entity Disclosure Form for Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory Licensee, to be
completed by the applicant and by each company, individual or entity holding an
interest in applicant;
(2) Arkansas
Racing Commission Personal History Disclosure and Supplemental form of Persons
Related with Casino Gaming Testing Laboratories, to be completed by each
natural person who must be qualified for a license by the Commission in
accordance with these Rules; and
(3) The fees to be paid to the Commission, as
provided in these Rules.
ii. The Commission shall not evaluate an
initial Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory License application unless same is
accompanied by all the information required in these Rules, including all the
documents requested in paragraph (a) above; provided that any incomplete
application filed with the Commission shall be deemed to be as if same had not
been filed.
iii. Burden of proof -
It shall be the responsibility of the Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory
applicant and its principals to provide information and or documentation and to
demonstrate their qualifications by clear and convincing evidence relative to
the character, honesty and integrity of its directors, officers, stockholders
and principal employees, to the Commission.
iv. No person may test Casino Gaming
equipment for a manufacturer to be used by a Casino Licensee for the conduct of
wagering thereon as authorized in this chapter unless the person has
demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Commission that the person has the
capability and qualifications necessary to competently test the equipment to
ensure compliance with Arkansas law.
(f) Duration of Casino Gaming Testing
Laboratory License
i. Every Casino Gaming
Testing Laboratory License shall be issued by the Commission for a period of 3
years.
ii. Notwithstanding the
provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Commission may, as it may deem
necessary:
(1) issue an Casino Gaming Testing
Laboratory License for a shorter period;
(2) at any time, void the Casino Gaming
Testing Laboratory License for reasonable cause.
(g) Casino Gaming Testing
Laboratory License Renewal Application i. Every Casino Gaming Testing
Laboratory License renewal application shall be filed no later than ninety (90)
days prior to the expiration date of said license. ii. The Casino Gaming
Testing Laboratory License renewal application shall include:
(1) A duly completed original and a photocopy
of:
(A) An Arkansas Racing Commission Business
Entity Disclosure form Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory Application, which
shall contain all the information that has changed from the date of the
application for the initial Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory License or of the
last renewal, to be completed by the applicant and by each holding company of
applicant;
(B) An Arkansas Racing
Commission Personal History Disclosure and Supplemental form of Persons Related
with Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory Licensees to be completed by each natural
person who must be licensed in accordance with these Rules, and who has not
been licensed by the Commission; and Arkansas Racing Commission Personal
History Disclosure form and Supplemental Personal History Disclosure form of
Persons Related with Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory Licensee-Renewal to be
completed by any natural person required to be licensed in accordance with
these Rules and who has already been licensed by the Commission.
(h) Casino Gaming
Testing Laboratory License Fees
i. The fees to
be paid for the initial or renewal application for a Casino Gaming Testing
Laboratory License shall be determined by the Commission; provided that the
application fee shall not be more than $1,000 a year. This does not include the
actual cost of the investigation(s), which is to be billed to and paid by the
applicant to the Commission.
ii.
The fees to be paid for the initial application shall cover administrative
costs related to the processing of the application.
iii. The renewal application fee shall not be
more than $1,000, payable to the Commission and submitted with the Casino
Gaming Testing Laboratory License Renewal Form.
iv. The license will not be approved until
the fees, including the investigative costs, have been paid by the
applicant.
(i) Casino
Gaming Testing Laboratory Disqualification Criteria
i. The Commission may deny a Casino Gaming
Testing Laboratory License to any applicant which, in the opinion of the
Commission:
(1) Has not proved through clear
and convincing evidence that the applicant and any of the persons required to
be licensed in accordance with these Rules are in fact duly
qualified;
(2) Has violated any of
the provisions of these Rules;
(3)
The applicant has failed to provide information or documentation requested in
writing by the Commission in a timely manner, which shall not exceed (30)
business days from the date of request by the Commission without reasonable
justification and an extension granted by the Commission;
(4) The Commission shall deny a Casino Gaming
Testing Laboratory License to any applicant who does not satisfy the standards
for entity licensing in these Rules.
(j) Qualification Requirements - Casino
Gaming Testing Laboratory License
i. The
Commission shall not issue an Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory License to any
entity unless the applicant has established the individual qualifications of
each one of the following entities or persons if applicable:
(1) The entity;
(2) The holding company(s) of the
entity;
(3) Every owner of the
entity who has, directly or indirectly, any interest in or is the owner of more
than five percent (5%) of the entity;
(4) Every owner of a holding company of the
entity which the Commission deems necessary to promote the purposes of these
Rules;
(5) Any director of the
entity, except such director who, in the opinion of the Commission, is not
significantly involved in or related with the administration of the
entity;
(6) Every officer of the
entity who is significantly involved in or who has authority over the manner in
which the business dealing with the activities of Casino Licensee and any
officer who the Commission considers necessary to protect the good character,
honesty and integrity of the entity;
(7) Any officer of the holding company of the
entity who the Commission considers necessary to protect the good character,
honesty and integrity of the entity;
(8) Any employee who supervises the regional
or local office which employs the sales representatives who shall solicit
business from or negotiate directly with a Casino Gaming
manufacturer;
(9) Any employee who
shall function as a sales representative or who shall be regularly dedicated to
soliciting business from any Casino Gaming manufacturer in the State of
Arkansas;
(10) Any other person
connected to an entity who the Commission considers should be
licensed.
(11) This part does not
apply to an institutional investor (as defined by the Federal Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that acquires or will acquire 10% or less of
the equity securities of an applicant or licensee that is a publicly traded
corporation if those holdings were purchased for investment purposes only and
the institutional investor files with the Commission a certified statement that
it has no intention of influencing or affecting directly or indirectly, the
affairs of the licensee; the investor will be permitted to vote on matters put
to the vote of the outstanding security holders.
ii. In order to establish the individual
qualifications, the persons specified in subparagraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of
this section shall complete an Arkansas Racing Commission Business Entity
Disclosure.
iii. In order to
establish the individual qualifications, the persons specified in subparagraphs
(a)(iii) through (a)(x) of this section shall complete an Arkansas Racing
Commission Personal History Disclosure form of Persons Related with Casino
Gaming Testing Laboratory Licensee.
(k) Qualifying as a Person Related with an
Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory License
i.
Any natural person who is required to be licensed, because of his/her
relationship with an Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory License applicant, shall
provide to the Commission the information, documentation and assurances
necessary to establish through clear and convincing evidence:
(1) His/her relationship with the
entity;
(2) That he/she is 21 years
of age (this only applies to those employees who service gaming machines or
work on the Gaming Floor who have access to the machines);
(3) That he/she is of good character and
reputation, in addition to being honest and having integrity; and
(4) That he/she has not been convicted
including "nolo contendere" and "withheld adjudication" by any state or federal
court in the Country for:
(A) Committing,
intending to commit or conspiring to commit a crime of moral turpitude, illegal
appropriation of funds or robbery, or any violation of a law related to games
of chance or skill, or a crime which is contrary to the declared policy of the
Arkansas Racing Commission with respect to the gaming industry; or
(B) Committing, intending to commit or
conspiring to commit a crime which is a felony in the State of Arkansas or a
misdemeanor in another jurisdiction which would be a felony if committed in the
State of Arkansas.
ii. Not satisfying any one of the
requirements established in paragraph (a) above shall be sufficient reason for
the Commission to deny a Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory License.
iii. The Commission shall deny any person
required to qualify in conjunction with a Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory
License that does not satisfy the standards set forth within these
Rules.
(l)
Investigations; Supplementary Approval of Change
i. The Commission or its representatives may,
at its discretion, conduct any investigation with respect to an applicant or
any person related with an applicant who it deems pertinent, either at the time
of the initial application or at any subsequent time.
ii. It shall be the continuous duty of any
applicant or holder of a Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory License to fully
cooperate with the Commission or its representatives during any investigation
and provide any supplementary information that the Commission or its
representatives requests.
iii. It
shall be the duty of any applicant or holder of a Casino Gaming Testing
Laboratory License to notify the Commission within 10 business days of any
proposed changes in the ownership of the applicant or licensee. If the
applicant or holder of an Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory License is publicly
traded company, it does not have to report changes in ownership unless the
change represents five percent (5%) or more of the total shares issued and
outstanding or ten percent (10%) or more of the total shares issued and
outstanding if the change is the result of an institutional investor. In such
cases, the licensee shall provide the Commission with copies of the most recent
notice filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All proposed new
owners shall submit to the Commission or its representatives an initial Casino
Gaming Testing Laboratory License application, which must be approved by the
Commission. Any failure to comply with this Rule shall be grounds for
revocation of an existing license or denial of an application for a
license.
(m) Suspension,
Denial of Renewal or Revocation of a Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory License
i. Any of the following reasons shall be
considered sufficient cause for the suspension, denial of renewal or revocation
of a Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory License:
(1) Violation of any provision of these
Rules;
(2) Conduct which would
disqualify the applicant or any other person required to be licensed by the
Commission;
(3) Failure to comply
with any applicable law, state or federal or regulation, or county or municipal
ordinance;
(4) A material
misstatement made in the application for the Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory
License.
ii.
Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) above, any other cause that
the Commission deems reasonable shall be considered sufficient cause for the
suspension, denial of renewal or revocation of a Casino Gaming Testing
Laboratory License.
(n)
Business Entity Disclosure for Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory Applicant Forms
i. Arkansas Racing Commission Business Entity
Disclosure form shall be completed in the format provided by the
Commission.
(o) Personal
History Disclosure form
i. The Commission may
require an Arkansas Racing Commission Personal History Disclosure form from all
those natural persons required under Section 13.9, to fill out the
same.
(p) Obligation for
Payment of Fees; No Refund of Fees Paid
i. Any
obligation for payment of fees arising from these Rules shall be paid in full
to the Commission, even when the entity withdraws its application for a Casino
Gaming Testing Laboratory License or the license is denied.
ii. No amounts paid for Casino Gaming Testing
Laboratory License fees shall be refundable.
iii. Any failure to pay fees when due shall
result in a late fee penalty established by the Commission, denial or
revocation of a license.
(q) Subcontractors
A licensed Casino Gaming Testing Laboratory shall not perform
any testing services for a Casino Licensee by using subcontractors and
independent contractors. All testing must be performed by employees of the
licensed testing labs, unless specifically approved by the Commission.
(r) Testing Laboratory Fees
The manufacturer shall be solely responsible for the payment of
any fees imposed by the independent testing laboratory for its services. The
fees to be charged shall be determined solely between the manufacturer and the
independent testing laboratory.
(s) Additional Requirements for Independent
Testing Laboratories
i. All documents, data,
reports, and correspondence prepared, furnished, or completed by the
independent testing laboratory for or on behalf of the Commission shall be
retained until its disposal is approved in writing by the Commission.
ii. The independent testing laboratory shall
provide the Commission with step-by-step verification procedures for each tool,
device, or mechanism used to assign the unique identification codes or
signatures.
iii. The independent
testing laboratory shall provide to the Commission, at no charge, in quantities
determined by the Commission, any verification tool, device, or mechanism that
is required for Commission agents to verify the code or signature of any
approved critical program storage media. The independent testing laboratory may
charge the supplier for expenses associated with such verification
tools.
iv. The independent testing
laboratory shall develop and maintain a database, acceptable to the Commission,
of all gaming equipment certified by the independent testing laboratory for the
state of Arkansas.
v. The database
and report(s) must be current as of the end of the previous business day, and
in a Commission-approved format.
vi. The independent testing laboratory shall
provide, free of charge to the Commission, technical and regulatory compliance
support. The independent testing laboratory shall provide responses and
follow-up as directed by the Commission. In instances where the independent
testing laboratory providing the support is also conducting the testing for the
device, the time allocated for support will be considered part of the testing
process and the independent testing laboratory may bill the manufacturer for
the cost of the technical support. In instances where the independent testing
laboratory providing the support is not conducting the testing for the device,
the Commission may require the manufacturer of the device to reimburse the
independent testing laboratory at the rate the independent testing laboratory
charges manufacturers for such support.
vii. The independent testing laboratory shall
provide, free of charge to the Commission, additional consulting services for
Commission personnel on an as-needed basis. Such additional services at a
minimum shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Providing training to Commission
employees on gaming equipment testing, new technology, and auditing
procedures.
3.25
Employee Licenses
1.
Key Employee and General Employee
Licenses
(a) Except in cases of
emergency and/or unavoidable temporary incidental entry, no person may work or
provide services to the Casino Gaming Operations of a Casino Licensee in the
State of Arkansas unless the person has a current Key Employee License or a
General Employee License issued by the Commission, as provided in these Rules.
The Key or General Employee License requirements apply to persons who have
direct access to the Casino Gaming equipment, games, surveillance or computer
systems.
(b) Employees who perform
duties in the racing industry of a Casino Licensee must have a Racing License.
In the event the employee is assigned to work in both the Racing and Casino
Gaming areas, the employee must obtain both a General Employee License and a
Racing License.
(c) Key Employee
and General Employee Licenses are issued for three-year periods.
(d) Qualifications for a Key Employee or
General Employee license must meet the same qualifications as stated in Section
13.10 Qualifying as a Person Related with a Service Industry License.
(e) Key Employee Licenses or a General
Employee Licenses issued pursuant to Regulations for Franchise Holders
Operating Electronic Games of Skill shall also be valid Key Employee Licenses
or General Employee Licenses for Casino Gaming and shall be subject to the
requirements of these Rules. Such Key Employee Licenses or General Employee
Licenses shall expire and be subject to renewal three years from the date of
issuance of such license for Electronic Games of Skill.
3.26
Initial Application
for an Employee License
(a) Every
initial application for an Employee License shall include:
i. A duly completed original and a photocopy
of the Arkansas Racing Commission Personal History Disclosure form in
accordance with these Rules;
ii.
The documents to identify applicant, as provided in these Rules;
iii. A photo identification card shall be
submitted by the applicant to the Commission with the filing of the license
application, which will be stapled to the Arkansas Racing Commission Personal
History Disclosure form in addition to submission of fingerprinting of the
applicant by Commission staff or their designees, which will be submitted for
state and federal regulatory inquiry purposes for criminal and financial
background checks.
iv. The fees to
be paid as provided in these Rules including late fees for late
filings.
(b) Each
initial application shall be filed at or mailed to the Commission at the
address of the Commission as provided on the application itself.
3.27
Persons or Entities
Who Must Obtain a Key Employee License
Except as otherwise approved by the Commission, any person or
entity who carries out or will carry out, or has or will have any of the
functions mentioned in Section 14.4 shall obtain a Key Employee License; or who
carries out functions specified in Section 14.5 shall obtain a General Employee
License before commencing work with a Casino Licensee. The lists contained in
these Rules are not all-inclusive but illustrative.
3.28
Key Employee Job Functions
Any person or entity who is going to be employed by the Casino
Licensee in a position which includes any of the following responsibilities or
powers, independently of the title, shall obtain a Key Employee License:
(a) Where they have authority to develop or
administer policy or long-range plans or to make discretionary decisions
related to the operation of the Casino Licensee, they shall be considered a Key
Employee Licensee and shall include, but not be limited to, any person or
entity who:
i. Functions as an officer of the
Casino Licensee;
ii. Functions as a
facility manager for a Casino Licensee;
iii. Functions as Casino Gaming gaming
department manager;
iv. Functions
as director of surveillance;
v.
Functions as director of security;
vi. Functions as controller;
vii. Functions as an audit department
executive;
viii. Functions as the
manager of the MIS ("Management Information Systems") Department or of any
information system of a similar nature;
ix. Manages a marketing department;
x. Functions as assistant manager;
xi. Manages the Casino Gaming gaming
administrative operations;
xii.
Functions as a general manager;
xiii. Functions as Chief Financial Officer of
the Casino Licensee; and
xiv. Any
other person who has the ability to direct, control or manage the operations or
who has discretionary authority over the Casino Licensee's decision-making.
Notwithstanding the above, individuals working exclusively for pari-mutuel
operations in horse or greyhound racing at a Casino Licensee's facility would
not be covered by these Rules.
3.29
General Employee Job
Functions
Any natural person who is going to be employed by the Casino
Licensee in a position which includes any of the following responsibilities
related to the operations of the Casino Licensee, or whose responsibilities
predominantly involve the maintenance or the operation of Casino Gaming
activities or equipment and assets associated with the same, or who is required
to work regularly in restricted Casino Gaming areas shall obtain a General
Employee License. Said persons shall include, but not be limited to, any person
who:
(a) Conducts surveillance
investigations and operations in a Casino Gaming gaming area;
(b) Repairs and maintains Casino Gaming
gaming equipment, including, but not limited to, Casino Gaming and bill
acceptors;
(c) Assists in the
operation of Casino Gaming and bill acceptors, including, but not limited to,
persons who participate in the payment of jackpots, or who supervise said
persons;
(d) Processes currency,
and patrons' checks or Cash Equivalents in the Casino Gaming gaming
area;
(e) Repairs or maintains the
Surveillance System equipment as an employee of the surveillance department of
the Casino Licensee;
(f) Provides
physical security in a Casino Gaming gaming area;
(g) Controls or maintains the Casino Gaming
inventory, including replacement parts, equipment and tools used to maintain of
the same;
(h) Has responsibilities
associated with the installation, maintenance or operation of computer hardware
for the Casino Licensee's computer system; and
(i) Does not perform the job functions of a
Key Employee as outlined within these Rules.
3.30
Scope and Applicability of
Employee Licensing of Natural Persons
(a) In determining whether a natural person
who provides services to a Casino Licensees is an employee of the Casino
Licensee for purposes of these Rules, it shall be presumed that such person is
an employee if the services provided by that person are characterized by any of
the following factors, these being indicative that an employment relationship
exists:
i. The natural person will, for a
period of time unrelated to any specific project or for an indefinite period of
time, directly supervise one or more employees of the Casino
Licensee;
ii. The Casino Licensee
will withhold local and federal taxes or make regular deductions for social
security, or other deductions required by law from the payments made to the
natural person;
iii. The natural
person will be given the opportunity to participate in any benefit plan offered
by the Casino Licensee to its employees, including, but not limited to, health
insurance plans, life insurance plans or pension plans; or
iv. The natural person has an employee
license application pending with the Commission or will submit such an
application during the time the services are being rendered to the Casino
Licensee, and the cost of the license has been or will be paid for or
reimbursed by the Casino Licensee.
(b) The Commission may, after considering the
factors in paragraph (a) of this section and any other applicable information,
require that the natural person obtain an employee license before providing or
continuing to provide any service to Casino Licensee even if an agreement to
the contrary exists between the Casino Licensee and the natural
person.
3.31
General Criteria for Granting of a Key Employee License
(a) Each applicant for an Employee License
shall provide the Commission with the necessary information, documentation and
guarantees which establish through clear and convincing evidence that the
applicant:
i. Is older than 21 years of
age;
ii. Is a citizen of the United
States of America or is authorized in accordance with the applicable federal
laws or regulations to work in the United States of America.
iii. Possesses good character and reputation,
in addition to being honest and having integrity; and
iv. Has no physical or mental condition that
prohibits the applicant from performing the essential functions of his job for
which there is no reasonable accommodation.
(b) Failure to comply with one of the
criteria established in paragraph (a) above may be sufficient cause for the
Commission to deny an application for an Employee License.
3.32
Personal Information Required for
a Key Employee License
(a) Every
applicant for a Key Employee License who will work in a managerial or
supervision position for a Casino Licensee of the type described in these Rules
shall submit:
i. Any affiliation of applicant
with a Casino Licensee or with companies controlling the Casino Licensee and
the position he/her occupies with the same or his interest in said
entity;
ii. Any affiliation of
applicant with a Service Industry entity or with companies controlling the
Service Industry entity and the position that he/her occupies with or his
interest in said entity.
3.33
Processing of the Initial
Application for a Key Employee License
(a) The Commission shall determine if the
initial application complies with all the requirements provided in these Rules
and if any deficiency is found, it shall notify the applicant of the
deficiency(ies) within 20 days following the filing of the initial application
with the Commission. The Commission shall not evaluate an incomplete initial
application.
(b) Once the
Commission has determined that the initial application filed is complete, the
Commission shall:
i. Accept the application
and initiate the procedure for considering the same;
ii. Notify in writing the applicant or
his/her representative, if any, that the application has been accepted for
consideration. Said notice shall also include:
(1) The date of said acceptance;
(2) The file number of the application;
and
(3) A caution to the applicant
that the fact that the application has been accepted for consideration does not
mean that the applicant has complied with the requirements of the Rules to
issue the license;
iii.
Analyze and evaluate the information offered in the application and any other
information necessary to determine if the requested license should be
granted;
iv. Make a decision with
respect to the requested license; and
v. Notify the applicant of its decision. If
the decision consists of a denial of the license, the Commission shall inform
the applicant the reason or reasons for the denial and of his/her right to
request a reconsideration of the decision of the Commission following the
adjudicative procedures provided in these Rules. For purposes of these Rules, a
denial of a license application shall be considered a final order of the
Commission, after the adjudication process.
(c) The Commission, at any time, may request
from an applicant for an Employee License any other information it may deem
necessary in order to make a decision with respect to the
application.
3.34
Duration of the Employee License
(a)
Every Employee License shall be issued by the Commission for a period of 3
years.
(b) Notwithstanding the
provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Commission may, as it deems necessary:
i. issue any license for a shorter period of
time;
ii. at any time, void an
Employee License for reasonable cause.
3.35
Date of Filing for Renewal of a
Key or General Employee License
Any holder of an Employee License shall renew his license by
filing with the Commission an application for renewal of his Employee License.
The completed renewal application shall be filed with the Commission no later
than 60 days prior to expiration of the license.
3.36
Application for Renewal of a Key
or General Employee License
(a) The
application for renewal of an Employee License shall include:
i. A duly completed original and a photocopy
of the Arkansas Racing Commission Personal History Disclosure form which shall
contain all the information which has changed since the date of the initial
Employee License application or of the last renewal.
ii. The documents which identify the
applicant, as provided in these Rules;
iii. A photograph of the applicant furnished
by the applicant or casino gaming license holder shall be stapled to the
Arkansas Racing Commission Personal History Disclosure form; and the submission
of fingerprints of the applicant, which shall be taken by the Commission and
submitted to state and federal authorities for relevant checks.
iv. The fees to be paid as provided in these
Rules.
(b) Any renewal
application shall be filed with or mailed to the Commission to the address of
the Commission, as provided on the application.
(c) Any person who fails to submit a
completed renewal application in accordance with this section or in accordance
with the provisions of these Rules shall be considered as not having filed a
renewal application with the Commission and the license shall be cancelled on
the expiration date.
(d) Any person
whose current employee license is cancelled in accordance with this section
may, before the date of expiration of the current license, or at any time after
the expiration, apply for an Employee License; provided that the application,
for all purposes of these Rules, shall be considered an initial Employee
License application and shall comply with these Rules.
3.37
Processing of the Application for
Renewal of Key or General Employee License
(a) The Commission shall determine if the
renewal application filed complies with all the requirements provided in these
Rules and if any deficiency is found, it shall notify the applicant of the
deficiency(ies) within 20 days following the filing of the renewal application
with the Commission; provided that the Commission may, at its discretion and
depending on the magnitude of the deficiency(ies), grant an opportunity for the
applicant to cure any deficiency within the period and under the conditions
determined by the Commission at said time. Any application where a deficiency
has been cured in accordance with the above shall be deemed to have been filed
within the period required by these Rules.
(b) Upon receipt of an application for
renewal of an Employee License duly completed and filed within the period
required by these Rules, the Commission or its representatives shall carry out
the investigation it deems necessary.
(c) The Commission shall make a decision with
respect to each completed license renewal application which has been
submitted.
(d) The Commission shall
notify the applicant of the decision made. If the decision consists of a denial
of the renewal of the license, the Commission shall inform the applicant the
reason or reasons for the denial and of his right to request a reconsideration
of the decision of the Commission following the adjudicative procedures
provided in these Rules. For purposes of these Rules, a denial of a license
application shall be considered a final order of the Commission, after the
adjudication process.
3.38
Responsibility for Establishing
Qualifications and to Disclose and Cooperate
(a) Each applicant shall be responsible for
providing the information, documentation and assurances required for
establishing through clear and convincing evidence that his/her qualifications
meet the requirements of these Rules.
(b) It shall be the continuing responsibility
of every applicant or holder of an Employee License to provide all the
information, documentation and assurances that may be required by the
Commission pertaining to the qualifications, and to cooperate with the
Commission. Any refusal or failure of an applicant to comply with a formal
request for information, evidence or testimony from the Commission shall be
sufficient cause for a denial or revocation of the license.
3.39
Identification of the
Applicant
Every applicant for an Employee License shall establish his/her
identity with reasonable certainty by providing the necessary Identification
Credentials.
3.40
Fees Payable
The fees payable for the initial or renewal application for
Employee Licenses shall be determined by the Commission. Applications for an
initial license and every third year after initial license will be required to
pay to the Commission a fee to cover the costs related to obtaining background
investigations and reports.
3.41
Employees Working Without an
Employee License
No employee with an expired license shall work in a position or
shall exercise functions for which such license is required, with the
understanding that if such employee is found working without a current and
valid license, the employee, as well as the Casino Licensee or person or entity
employing the employee shall be subject to sanctions as established by the
Commission.
3.42
Payment of Fees, Regulatory Sanctions; No Refunds of Payments
(a) No application shall be accepted for
filing or processed by the Commission except upon full payment of all required
fees, civil penalties or regulatory sanctions. Any portion of a fee which is
incurred or determined after the filing of the application or any civil penalty
imposed by the Commission shall be payable upon demand to the
Commission.
(b) Any payment of
monetary obligation arising from these Rules shall be paid in full even when
the person withdraws his Employee License application.
(c) No amounts required to be paid to the
Commission for licensure; civil penalties or regulatory sanctions shall be
refunded.
(d) Any fees, civil
penalties or regulatory sanctions not paid by the due date shall be subject to
penalty in an amount to be determined by the Commission.
3.43
Miscellaneous Administrative
Charges
(a) Any lost Key Employee
License shall be replaced by the Commission at a cost to be determined by the
Commission.
(b) Any change to the
Employee License requested by the employee which was not caused by an omission
or negligence of the Commission shall carry a charge to be determined by the
Commission.
3.44
Change of Position or Place of Work
(a)
Any natural person who carries out any of the functions described in these
Rules, General Employee Job Functions of these Rules or one which is similar in
nature to said functions and for any reasons the person's functions change to
any of the functions which are described in these Rules or one that is similar
in nature to these shall file a new application with the Commission in
accordance with the provisions of these Rules, Application for Renewal of Key
Employee License of these Rules within the 20 days following the change of the
person's position.
(b) A license
setting forth more than one position may be issued to any licensed employee by
the Commission upon application by the licensed employee or the Casino
Licensee. Said request would be reviewed by the Commission to ensure that their
dual license status would not be deemed an Incompatible Function. The review
will be conducted in a timely manner and the Commission's decision shall be
provided to the applicant in writing.
3.45
Carrying of Licenses and
Credentials
(a) All employee licenses
must be worn and displayed in a visible and conspicuous manner at all times
when on the premises of the casino license holder.
(b) No Casino Licensee shall permit a person
to work in its licensed premises without said person carrying his/her Employee
License as provided in paragraph (a) above.
3.46
Authority of Commission -
Licensing
(a) Nothing provided in this
document shall be interpreted as limiting authority and powers of the
Commission to at any time:
i. Investigate the
qualifications of any holder of an Employee License; and
ii. The Commission may suspend, revoke or
refuse to issue a license to any person who:
(1) Failed to disclose or misstated
information or otherwise attempted to mislead the Commission with respect to
any material fact contained in the application for license as a gaming
employee;
(2) Violated Commission
Rules, or has been suspended or had a license revoked by another gaming
jurisdiction;
(3) Has been
convicted of a felony in the last ten years. Persons with felony convictions
that are more than ten years ago may be licensed at the discretion of the
Commission.
(4) Has been identified
in the published reports of any federal or state legislative or executive body
as being a member or associate of organized crime, or as being of notorious and
unsavory reputation;
(5) Is on
probation, parole or remains in the constructive custody of any federal, state
or municipal law enforcement authority;
(6) Had license as a gaming employee revoked
or committed any act which is a ground for the revocation of license as a
gaming employee or would have been a ground for revoking license as a gaming
employee if the applicant had then been registered as a gaming
employee;
(7) Has been employed in
the last two years by the accounting firm that has conducted the annual
independent audit on behalf of a Casino Licensee or the Casino Gaming Section;
or
(8) Has been employed by the
Casino Gaming Section within the last two years.
3.47
Transitory
Provisions
(a) Any person who on the
effective date of these Rules who in accordance with the provisions of these
Rules would need an Employee License, shall file an initial application within
the thirty (30) days following the effective date of these Rules.
(b) All persons to whom these Rules would
apply shall comply with all the provisions of these Rules from the effective
date of these Rules.
3.48
Sanctions
(a) The Commission may initiate regulatory
enforcement actions against any person licensed under these Rules.
(b) Any person who willfully fails to report,
pay or truthfully account for and pay any license application fee,
investigative fee or any other fees imposed by these Rules, or willfully
attempts in any manner to evade or defeat any such fee, or payment thereof
shall be subject to suspension or revocation of their license and shall be
liable for the imposition of a penalty, as determined by the Arkansas Racing
Commission.
(c) Any person who,
without obtaining the requisite license as provided for by these Rules works or
is employed in a position whose duties would require licensing under the
provision of these Rules shall be liable for the imposition of sanctions and
subject to a fine of not more than $1,000, suspension or revocation of license
or both.
(d) In addition to any
monetary sanction, the Commission shall, after appropriate hearing and factual
determinations, have the authority to impose the following sanctions upon any
person licensed pursuant to these Rules:
i.
Revoke the license of any person convicted of any criminal offense for which
disqualification as set forth in these Rules would result.
ii. Suspend the license of any person pending
a hearing and determination in any case in which license revocation could
result.
iii. Suspend or revoke the
license for violation of any provisions of these Rules relating to Casino
Licensees.
iv. Assess sanctions as
may be necessary to punish misconduct and to deter future violations, which
such penalties may not exceed $5,000 in the case of any individual licensee and
in the case of the Casino Licensee, the penalty may not exceed $10,000 for each
violation.
v. Issue warning
letters, letters of reprimand or censure, which letters shall be made a
permanent part of the file of each licensee so sanctioned.
(e) In considering appropriate sanctions in a
particular case the Commission shall consider:
i. The risk to the public and to the
integrity of Casino Licensees created by the conduct of the person facing
sanctions;
ii. The seriousness of
the conduct and whether the conduct was purposeful and with knowledge that it
was in contravention of these Rules;
iii. Any justification or excuse for such
conduct;
iv. The prior history of
the licensee with respect to compliance with these Rules;
v. The corrective action taken by the
licensee to prevent future misconduct of a like nature from occurring;
and
vi. In the case of a civil
penalty, the amount of the penalty in relation to the severity of the
misconduct. The Commission may impose any schedule or terms of payment of such
penalty, as it may deem appropriate.
vii. It shall be no defense to any regulatory
enforcement or disciplinary action before the Commission that the applicant or
licensee inadvertently, unintentionally, or unknowingly violated a provision of
these Rules. Such factors shall only go to the degree of the civil penalty to
be imposed by the Commission.
(f) A violation of any provision of these
Rules, which is an offense of a continuing nature, shall be deemed to be a
separate offense on each day during which it occurs. Nothing herein shall be
deemed to preclude the Commission from enforcing multiple violations within the
same day of those provisions of the Rules which establish offenses consisting
of separate and distinct acts.