Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024
6.010
Definitions.
As used in this regulation:
1. Affiliate" business companies,
organizations, or individuals are Affiliates of each other if, directly or
indirectly, either one has the power to control the other, or a third party
controls or has the power to control both.
2. Unless otherwise specified, "Commission"
means the Arkansas Racing Commission or the Commission's designee.
3. "Business year" means the annual period
used by a licensee for internal accounting purposes.
4. "CGS" means the Casino Gaming Section,
also referred to as the Gaming Audit Division, of the Department of Finance and
Administration.
5. "DF&A" means
the Department of Finance and Administration.
6. "Electronic transfer" means the
transmission of money, or data via an electronic terminal, a telephone, a
magnetic tape or a computer and a modem to the Commission.
7. "Fiscal year" means a period beginning on
July 1st and ending June 30th of the following year.
8. "Gaming device" means any mechanical,
electromechanical or electronic device or machine for money, property, checks,
credit or any representative of value, including, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, faro, monte, roulette, keno, bingo, fan-tan,
twenty-one, blackjack, seven-and-a-half, big injun, klondike, craps, poker,
chuck-a-luck, Chinese chuck-a-luck (dai shu), wheel of fortune, chemin de fer,
baccarat, pai gow, beat the banker, panguingui, slot machine, any banking or
percentage game or any other game or device approved by the
Commission.
9. "Gross wagering
revenue" means the total value of currency, coupons, gaming tickets, and
electronic credits invested by a patron in casino gaming. However, "gross
wagering revenues" shall not include promotional coupons or promotional
electronic credits provided by a Licensee to a patron at no cost to the patron,
which are used by the patron to make a wager.
10. "Net casino gaming receipts" is defined
as gross receipts from casino gaming less amounts paid out or reserved as
winnings to casino patrons. However, gross receipts from casino gaming shall
not include promotional coupons or promotional electronic credits provided by a
Licensee to a patron at no cost to the patron, which are used by the patron to
make a wager.
11. "Net casino
gaming receipts tax" is defined as a tax on net casino gaming
receipts.
12. "Operator" means any
person or entity holding a license to operate an inter-casino linked system in
Arkansas, or a person or entity holding a license to operate a Casino gaming
operation that operates an inter-casino linked system for affiliates.
13. "Statements on auditing standards" means
the auditing standards and procedures published by the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants.
14.
"Statements on standards for accounting and review services" means the
standards and procedures published by the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants.
15.
"Statistical drop" means the dollar amount of cash wagered by a patron that is
placed in the drop box plus the dollar amount of chips issued at a table to a
patron for currency, credit instruments or rim credit.
16. "Statistical win" means the dollar amount
won by the licensee through table play.
6.020
Commission audit
procedures.
(a) The CGS Section of the
Office of Field Audit shall act at the direction of the Commission pursuant to
the authority granted to the Commission under the Amendment. It is also
recognized that duties regarding the collection and administration of other
state tax laws are likewise delegated to the Director of DF&A. In the
course of fulfilling its duties under this rule, the CGS shall exercise the
following powers, duties and responsibilities:
(i) Audit income received by a Licensee from
casino gaming.
(ii) Review the
operation, financial data and program information relating to casino gaming
through a central computer that will allow the CGS to:
(1) Audit the gaming operation of a
Licensee.
(2) Monitor wagering
patterns, payouts, privilege fee payments and other matters related to the
payment of net gaming receipts tax or any other state tax administered by the
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.
(iii) Require a Licensee to maintain specific
records and submit any information, records, or reports required for the
administration of net gaming receipts tax or other state taxes. The CGS may
also make recommendations to the Commission that a Licensee be required to
maintain specified records and submit information, records or reports required
under the Amendment, and these regulations as determined by the Commission to
be necessary for the proper implementation and enforcement of those provisions
of the Amendment unrelated to the collection of net gaming receipts tax or
other state taxes.
(iv) The CGS
shall investigate, audit, or review other operations of the Licensee unrelated
to the collection of net gaming receipts tax or other state taxes, as directed
by the Commission to fulfill the Commission's responsibilities under the
Amendment. The Commission shall direct and supervise the CGS in exercising the
statutory duties of the Commission as authorized under the Amendment and these
rules, except with regard to activities of the CGS related to the collection
and administration of net gaming receipts tax or other state taxes.
(v) In addition to the duties related to
collection of net gaming receipts tax, all day to day operational duties
related to enforcement of the casino gaming rules adopted by the Commission
shall be conducted by the CGS under authority of a resolution duly adopted by
the Arkansas Racing Commission as recorded in the minutes of the ARC delegating
such authority. Any and all subsequent limitations of such regulation shall be
made in the form of a Commission Resolution.
(b) Additional Responsibilities
(i) The CGS shall have unrestricted access to
the gaming floor and facility at all times and shall require that each Licensse
strictly comply with the Amendment and the Commission's rules relating to the
operation of casino gaming. The CGS shall:
(1)
Inspect and examine facilities where casino gaming is offered for
play.
(2) Inspect casino gaming and
any other equipment or supplies used in conjunction with or in any way related
to casino gaming.
(3) Collect any
assessments, fees, penalties or other charges arising from the operation of
casino gaming for which a Licensee is liable to the State of
Arkansas.
(4) Receive and
investigate complaints concerning the operation of casino gaming by Licensees.
Complaints that cannot be resolved shall be forwarded by the CGS to the
Commission for review and adjudication by the Commission.
6.030
Procedure
for reporting and paying gaming taxes and fees.
(a) Licensees conducting casino gambling
under the Amendment shall pay the net gaming receipts tax:
(i) 13% on the first $150,000,000 of net
casino gaming receipts or any part thereof;
(ii) 20% on net casino gaming receipts
exceeding $150,000,001 or any part thereof;
(b) The net gaming receipts tax shall be
reported under oath and paid on a monthly basis on or before the twentieth day
of each month to the Director of the Department of Finance and Administration.
Reporting forms will be prescribed and furnished by the Director and shall show
the total net gaming receipts from casino gaming during the preceding calendar
month.
(c) The net gaming receipts
tax levied by this section is in lieu of any state or local gross receipts,
sales, or other similar taxes, and to this end the Arkansas Gross Receipts Tax
Act of 1941, §
26-52-101 et
seq., shall not be applicable to gross receipts derived by Licensees from
casino gaming.
(d) The net gaming
casino receipts tax payable to the Director of the Department of Finance and
Administration under subdivision (a)(i) of this section shall be administered
by the Director pursuant to the Arkansas Tax Procedure Act, §
26-18-101 et
seq. However, regulatory authority over licensing and other matters under these
regulations not relating to the administration, payment, and collection of the
net gaming receipts tax shall remain with the Arkansas Racing
Commission.
(e) In accordance with
Arkansas law, all net gaming receipts tax received by the Director of the
DF&A required by these rules and the Amendment shall be deposited with the
State Treasurer.
(f) All permit or
license fees, penalties, and fines received by the Commission under these
regulations shall be deposited in the State Treasury as general
revenues.
6.040
Accounting records.
(a) Each Licensee
shall maintain complete, accurate, and legible records of all transactions
pertaining to the revenues and costs for each establishment.
(b) General accounting records shall be
maintained on a double entry system of accounting with transactions recorded on
the accrual basis. Detailed, supporting, subsidiary records sufficient to meet
the requirements of (c) below shall also be maintained in accordance with the
requirements of this section.
(i) The Licensee
will submit to the Commission for its approval a chart of accounts and
accounting classification in order to insure consistency, comparability, and
effective disclosure of financial information.
(ii) The chart of accounts shall provide the
classifications necessary to prepare the standard financial statements required
by Section 6.80.
(iii) The
prescribed chart of accounts shall be the minimum level of detail to be
maintained for each accounting classification by the Licensee.
(iv) The Licensee shall use the prescribed
chart of accounts but may, with the permission of the Commission, expand the
level of detail for some or all accounting classifications and/or alter the
account numbering system. In such instances, the Licensee shall provide to the
Commission, upon request, a cross-reference from the prescribed chart of
accounts.
(c) The
detailed, supporting, and subsidiary records shall include, but not necessarily
be limited to:
(i) Records supporting the
accumulation of the costs and number of persons, by category of service, for
regulated complimentary services.
(ii) Records of all investments, advances,
loans and receivable balances, due to the establishment.
(iii) Records related to investments in
property and equipment.
(iv)
Records which identify the Gross Wagering Revenue, payout, win amounts and
percentages will be reported daily, and theoretical win amounts and
percentages, and differences between theoretical and actual win amounts and
percentages, for each casino gaming periodically, monthly or as requested by
the Commission.
(v) Records of all
loans and other amounts payable by the establishment.
(vi) Records provided for in the system of
internal accounting controls submitted to the Commission.
(d) Each Licensee, unless specifically
exempted by the Commission, shall, at its own expense, cause its annual
financial statements to be audited in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards by an independent certified public accountant licensed to
practice in the State of Arkansas.
(e) The annual financial statements shall be
prepared for the current year and shall present financial position and results
of operations in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
(f) The financial
statements required by this section shall include a footnote reconciling and
explaining any differences between the financial statements included in the
Licensee's annual report, filed in conformity with these Rules, and the audited
financial statements. Such footnote shall, at a minimum, disclose the effect of
such adjustments on:
(i) Revenues from casino
gaming;
(ii) Revenues net of
complimentary services;
(iii) Total
costs and expenses;
(iv) Income
before extraordinary items; and
(v)
Net income.
(g) Two
copies of the annual audited financial statements, together with the report
thereon of the Licensee's independent certified public accountant, shall be
filed with the Commission, not later than June 1 following the end of the
calendar year.
(h) Each Licensee
shall require its independent certified public accountant to render the
following additional reports:
(i) Report on
material weaknesses in internal accounting control. Whenever in the opinion of
the independent certified public accountant there exists no material weaknesses
in internal accounting control, the report shall so state.
(ii) Whenever, in the opinion of the
independent certified public accountant, the Licensee has materially deviated
from the system of internal accounting control approved by the Commission or
the accounts, records, and control procedures examined are not maintained by
the Licensee in accordance with the this document, the report shall enumerate
such deviations and such areas of the system no longer considered effective,
and shall make recommendations regarding improvements in the system of internal
accounting control.
(iii) The
Licensee shall prepare a written response to the independent certified public
accountant's reports required by (h)(i) and (ii) above. The response shall
indicate, in detail, the corrective actions taken. Such response shall be
submitted to the Commission within 90 days from receipt of the independent
certified public accountant's reports.
(i) Two copies of the reports required by (h)
above, and two copies of any other reports on internal accounting control,
administrative controls, or other matters relative to the Licensee's accounting
or operating procedures rendered by the Licensee's independent certified public
accountant, shall be filed with the Commission by the Licensee by June 1
following the end of the calendar year or upon receipt, whichever is
earlier.
(j) If the Licensee or any
of its Affiliates is publicly held, the Commission may require the Affiliate to
submit five copies to the Commission of any report, including but not limited
to forms S-1, 8-K, 10- Q and 10-K, proxy or information statements and all
registration statements, required to be filed by such Licensee or Affiliates
with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other domestic or foreign
securities regulatory agency, at the time of filing with such agency.
(k) If an independent certified public
accountant who was previously engaged as the principal accountant to audit the
Licensee's financial statements resigns or is dismissed as the Licensee's
principal accountant, or another independent certified public accountant is
engaged as principal accountant, the Licensee shall file a report with the
Commission within ten days following the end of the month in which such event
occurs, setting forth the following:
(i) The
date of such resignation, dismissal, or engagement.
(ii) Whether in connection with the audits of
the two most recent years preceding such resignation, dismissal, or engagement
there were any disagreements with the former accountant on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing
scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of
the former accountant would have caused him to make reference in connection
with his report to the subject matter of the disagreement, including a
description of each such disagreement. The disagreements to be reported include
those resolved and those not resolved.
(iii) Whether the principal accountant's
report on the financial statements for any of the past two years contained an
adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion or was qualified. The nature of such
adverse opinion, disclaimer of opinion, or qualification shall be
described.
(iv) The Licensee shall
request the former accountant to furnish to the Licensee a letter addressed to
the Commission, stating whether he/she agrees with the statements made by the
Licensee in response to (i) of this section. Such letter shall be filed with
the Commission as an exhibit to the report required by (i) of this
section.
6.045
On-line slot metering
systems.
Casino gaming must at a minimum utilize an On-Line Monitoring
System that maintains all financial and security data. The rules outlined
within this section apply to all Critical Systems (systems that have an effect
on the integrity of casino gaming)
(a)
Phases of System Testing. All Critical Systems must endure the following phases
of tests:
(i) Phase I - Within the laboratory
setting; and
(ii) Phase II -
On-site following the initial install of the system to ensure proper
configuration of the equipment and installation of the security
applications.
(b)
Interface Elements. An Interface Element, where applicable, is any component
within a system that is external to the operations of the casino gaming that
assists in the collection and processing of data that is sent to a system. All
critical Interface Elements shall:
(i) Be
installed in a secure area (which may be inside the gaming devices).
(ii) The Interface Element
setup/Configuration menu(s) must not be available unless using an authorized
access method.
(iii) When not
directly communicating with gaming device meters, the Interface Element must
maintain separate electronic meters, of sufficient length, to preclude the loss
of information from meter rollovers, or a means to identify multiple rollovers,
as provided for in the connected gaming device. These electronic meters should
be capable of being reviewed on demand at the Interface Element level via an
authorized access method.
(iv) The
Interface Element must retain the required information after a power loss for a
minimum of 30 days. If this data is stored in volatile RAM, a Battery Backup
must be installed within the Interface Element.
(v) If unable to communicate the required
information to the On-Line Monitoring System, the Interface Element must
provide a means to preserve all mandatory meter and Significant Event
information until at such time as it can be communicated to the On-Line
Monitoring System. Gaming device operation may continue until critical data is
overwritten and lost. There must be a method to check for corruption of the
above data storage locations.
(vi)
The Interface Element must allow for the association of a unique identification
number to be used in conjunction with a gaming device file on the On-Line
Monitoring System. This identification number will be used by the On-Line
Monitoring System to track all mandatory information of the associated gaming
device. Additionally, the On-Line Monitoring System should not allow for a
duplicate gaming device file entry of this identification number.
(viii) An On-Line Monitoring System may
possess a Front End Processor (FEP) that gathers and relays all data from the
connected Data Collectors to the associated database(s). The Data Collectors,
in turn, collect all data from, connected gaming devices. Communication between
components must be a defined Communication Protocol(s) and function as
indicated by the Communication Protocol(s). An On-Line Monitoring System must
provide for the following:
(1) All critical
data Communication shall be Protocol based and/or incorporate an error
detection and correction scheme to ensure an accuracy of ninety-nine percent
(99%) or better of messages received; and
(2) All critical data Communication that may
affect revenue and is unsecured either in transmission or implementation shall
employ encryption. The encryption Algorithm shall employ variable keys or
similar methodology to preserve secure Communication.
(c) System Server(s), networked
system(s) or distributed system(s) that directs the overall operation and an
associated Database(s) that stores all entered and collected system
information, is considered the 'Server'. In addition, the Server shall:
(i) Maintain an internal clock that reflects
the current time in 24-hr format and data that shall be used to provide for the
following:
(1) Time stamping of Significant
Events;
(2) Reference clock for
reporting; and
(3) Time stamping of
Configuration changes.
(4) If
multiple clocks are supported, the On-Line Monitoring System shall have a
facility whereby it is able to update those clocks in On-Line Monitoring System
components where conflicting information could occur.
(d) Remote Access Requirements. If
supported, System(s) may utilize password controlled remote access, provided
the following requirements are met:
(i) A
'Remote Access User Activity' log is maintained depicting logon name,
time/date, duration, activity while logged in;
(ii) No unauthorized remote user
administration functionality (adding users, changing permissions,
etc.);
(iii) No unauthorized access
to Database other than information retrieval using existing
functions;
(iv) No unauthorized
access to operating system; and
(v)
If remote access is to be continuous basis then a Network filter (firewall)
should be installed to protect access.
(e) Security Access Control. The On-Line
Monitoring System must support either a hierarchical role structure whereby
user and password define program or individual menu item access or logon
program/device security based strictly on user and password or PIN. In
addition, the On-Line Monitoring System shall not permit the alteration of any
significant log information communicated from the gaming device. Additionally,
there should be a provision for system administrator notification and user
lockout or audit trail entry, after a set number of unsuccessful login
attempts.
(f) Data Alteration. The
On-Line Monitoring System shall not permit the alteration of any accounting or
significant event log information that was properly communicated from the
gaming device without supervised access controls. In the event financial data
is changed, an audit log must be capable of being produced to document:
(i) Data element altered;
(ii) Data element value prior to
alteration;
(iii) Data element
value after alteration;
(iv) Time
and Date of alteration; and
(v)
Personnel that performed alteration (user login).
(g) System Back-Up. The System(s) shall have
sufficient redundancy and modularity so that if any single component or part of
a component fails, gaming can continue. There shall be redundant copies of each
log file or system Database or both, with open support for Backups and
restoration.
(h) Recovery
Requirements. In the event of a catastrophic failure when the System(s) cannot
be restarted in any other way, it shall be possible to reload the system from
the last viable Backup point and fully recover the contents of that Backup,
recommended to consist of at least the following information:
(i) Significant Events;
(ii) Accounting information;
(iii) Auditing information; and
(iv) Specific site information such as device
file, employee file, progressive set-up, etc.
(i) Downloading of Interface Element Control
Programs. If supported, a System may utilize writable program storage
technology to update Interface Element software if all of the following
requirements are met:
(i) Writable program
storage functionality must be, at a minimum, password-protected, and should be
at a supervisor level. The System can continue to locate and verify versions
currently running but it cannot load code that is not currently running on the
system without user intervention;
(ii) A non-alterable audit log must record
the time/date of a writable program storage download and some provision must be
made to associate this log with which version(s) of code was downloaded, and
the user who initiated the download. A separate Download Audit Log Report would
be ideal; and
(iii) All
modifications to the download executable or other file(s) must be submitted to
the Test Laboratory for approval. The laboratory will assign signatures to any
relevant executable code and file(s) that should be verified by a regulator in
the field. Additionally, all downloadable files must be available to a
regulator to verify the signature.
(iv) The system must have the ability to
verify the program on demand for regulatory audit purposes. The above refers to
loading of new system executable code only. Other program parameters may be
updated as long as the process is securely controlled and subject to audit. The
parameters will have to be reviewed on an individual basis.
(j) Self Monitoring of Gaming
System Servers. The Systems must implement self monitoring of all critical
Interface Elements (e.g. Central hosts, network devices, firewalls, links to
third parties, etc.) and shall have the ability to effectively notify the
system administrator of the condition, provided the condition is not
catastrophic.
(k) On-Line
Monitoring System Requirements. The On-Line Monitoring System shall communicate
to all gaming devices for the purpose of gathering all financial data and
security events. The On-Line Monitoring System may perform this sole function
or may also incorporate other system functions that are addressed within this
document. For systems that serve multiple purposes, each of the relevant
sections herein shall apply.
(i) Required
On-Line Monitoring System Functionality. At a minimum, an On-Line Monitoring
System shall provide for the following Security and Audit ability requirements:
(1) An interrogation program that enables
on-line comprehensive searching of the Significant Event Log for the present
and for the previous 14 days through archived data or restoration from backup
where maintaining such data on a live database is deemed inappropriate. The
interrogation program shall have the ability to perform a search based at least
on the following:
(A) Date and Time
range;
(B) Unique Interface
Element/gaming device identification number; and
(C) Significant event
number/identifier.
(2)
An On-Line Monitoring System must have a master "Gaming Device File" which is a
Database of every gaming device in operation, including at minimum the
following information for each entry. If the On-Line Monitoring System
retrieves any of these parameters directly from the gaming device, sufficient
controls must be in place to ensure accuracy of the information.
(A) Unique Interface Element/location
identification number;
(B) Gaming
device identification number as assigned by the Licensee;
(C) Denomination of the gaming device (please
note that the Denomination may reflect an alternative value, in the case of a
multi-Denomination game);
(D)
Theoretical hold of the gaming device; and
(E) Control Program(s) Identification Number
within the gaming device.
(3) Significant Events are generated by a
gaming device and sent via the Interface Element to the On-Line Monitoring
System utilizing an approved Communication Protocol. Each event must be stored
in a database(s), which includes the following:
(A) Date and time which the event
occurred;
(B) Identity of the
gaming device that generated the event;
(C) A unique number/code that defines the
event; or
(D) A brief text that
describes the event in the local language.
(ii) Stored Accounting Meters. Metering
information is generated on a gaming device and collected by the Interface
Element and sent to the On-Line Monitoring System via a Communication Protocol.
This information may be either read directly from the gaming device or relayed
using a delta function. The On-Line Monitoring System must collect and store
the following meter information from each gaming device:
(1) Total In (credits-in);
(2) Total Out (credits-out);
(3) Total Dropped (total value of all, bills,
tickets and other approved notes in the cash box or 'drop');
(4) Hand Paid (handpays);
(5) Cancelled Credits (if supported on the
gaming device);
(6) Bills In (total
monetary value of all bills accepted);
(7) Individual Bill Meters (total number of
each bill accepted per denomination);
(8) Games-Played;
(9) Cabinet Door (instance meter which may be
based on On-Line Monitoring System count of this event);
(10) Drop Door(s) (instance meter which may
be based on On-Line Monitoring System count of this event);
(11) Tickets In (total monetary value of all
tickets accepted); and
(12) Tickets
Out (total monetary value of all tickets produced).
(13) Please refer to Section 6.200 for more
detailed descriptions of the above meters.
(iii) Required Reports. Reports will be
generated on a schedule determined by the Commission which typically consists
of daily, monthly, yearly period, and life to date reports generated from
stored Database information. These reports at minimum will consist of the
following:
(1) Net Win/Revenue Report for each
gaming device;
(2) Drop Comparison
Reports for each medium dropped (examples = tickets, bills) with dollar and
percent variances for each medium and aggregate for each type;
(3) Metered vs. Actual Jackpot Comparison
Report with the dollar and percent variances for each and aggregate;
(4) Theoretical Hold vs. Actual Hold
comparison with variances;
(5)
Significant Event Log for each gaming device; and
(6) Other Reports, as required by individual
Jurisdictions. It is acceptable to combine reporting data where appropriate
(e.g., revenue, theoretical/actual comparison).
(iv) Jackpot Functionality. An On-Line
Monitoring System must have an application or facility that captures and
processes every Handpay message from each gaming device and meet the following
rules:
(1) Handpay messages must be created
for single wins (jackpots), progressive jackpots and accumulated credit cash
outs (canceled credits), which result in Handpays.
(2) For every single win event that is equal
to or greater than the applicable IRS tax reporting threshold, as established
from time to time by the US Internal Revenue Service, the OnLine Monitoring
System user must be advised of the need for a W2G or 1042-S Form, as required
by the US Internal Revenue Service, which is to be processed, either via the
On-Line Monitoring System or manually. This option must not be capable of being
overridden. The keyed reset ability to return winnings from a taxable event to
a gaming device should require user intervention to void the original jackpot
slip that is generated.
(3) The
following information is required for all jackpot slips generated with some/all
fields to be completed by the On-Line Monitoring System:
(A) Numeric Slip identifier (which increments
per event);
(B) Date and Time
(Shift if required);
(C) Gaming
device number;
(D)
Denomination;
(E) Amounts of
Jackpot, Accumulated Credit, and Additional Pay;
(F) W2G indication, if applicable;
(G) Additional Payout, if
applicable;
(H) Total before taxes
and taxes withheld, if applicable;
(I) Amount to Patron; and
(J) Total credits played and game outcome of
award.
6.050
Records of ownership.
(a) In addition to other records and
information required by this regulation, each Licensee shall maintain the
following records regarding the equity structure and owners:
(i) If a corporation:
(1) A certified copy of articles of
incorporation and any amendments thereto;
(2) A copy of by-laws and amendments
thereto;
(3) A current list of
officers and directors;
(4) Minutes
of all meetings of stockholders and directors;
(5) A current list of all stockholders and
stockholders of affiliates, including their names and the names of beneficial
owners of shares held in street or other name where any beneficial owner has a
beneficial interest in two percent or more of the outstanding shares of any
class, addresses and the number of shares held by each and the date
acquired;
(6) A complete record of
all transfers of stock;
(b) All records regarding ownership shall be
located on the premises of the establishment, unless a specific exemption is
allowed to the Licensee by the Racing Commission.
(c) Each Licensee or applicant shall, upon
request by the Racing Commission, provide a list of all record holders of any
or all classes of publicly traded securities issued by any holding company or
by any other affiliated entity which is required to qualify as a financial
source.
6.060
Record retention; noncompliance.
(a)
All original books, records and documents pertaining to the Licensee's
operations shall be:
(i) Prepared and
maintained in a complete, accurate and legible form;
(ii) Retained on site or at another secure
location approved for the time period specified in (c) below;
(iii) Held immediately available for
inspection by agents of the Commission during all hours of operation;
(iv) Organized and indexed in such a manner
so as to provide immediate accessibility to agents of the Commission;
and
(v) Destroyed only after:
(1) Expiration of the minimum retention
period specified in (c) below, except that the Commission may, upon the written
petition of any Licensee and for good cause shown, permit such destruction at
an earlier date;
(2) Written notice
has been received by the Commission;
(3) In conformance with Arkansas Code
Annotated
19-4-1108,
the records, as outlined within (b) below, of the Licensees must be kept a
minimum of three years after the review and filing of audits by the Legislative
Joint Auditing committee of the records of the Racing Division and the Gaming
section, however, they may not be destroyed without concurrence from the
Commission's Gaming Section.
(b) For the purposes of this section, "books,
records and documents" shall be defined as any book, record or document
pertaining to, prepared in or generated by the operation of the Licensee
including, but not limited to, all forms, reports, accounting records, ledgers,
subsidiary records, computer generated data, internal audit records,
correspondence and personnel records. This definition shall apply without
regard to the medium through which the record is generated or maintained, for
example, paper, magnetic media or encoded disk.
(c) All original books, records and documents
shall be retained by a Licensee in accordance with the following schedules. For
purposes of this subsection, "original books, records or documents" shall not
include copies of originals, except for copies which contain original comments
or notations or parts of multi-part forms.
(i)
The following original books, records and documents shall be retained
indefinitely unless destruction is requested by the Licensee and approved by
the Commission:
(1) Corporate records required
by these Rules;
(2) Records of
corporate investigations and due diligence procedures;
(3) Current employee personnel files;
and
(4) A record of any original
book, record or document destroyed, identifying the particular book, record or
document, the period of retention and the date of destruction.
(ii) All other original books,
records and documents shall be retained by a Licensee for a minimum of five (5)
years unless destruction is requested by the Licensee and approved by the
Commission.
6.070
Standard financial
statements.
(a) Each Licensee, unless
specifically exempted by the Commission, shall file annual reports of financial
and statistical data as required by the Commission. The data may be used by the
Commission to evaluate the financial position and operating performance of
individual Licensees and compile information regarding the performance and
trends of the industry in the State of Arkansas.
(b) The Commission shall periodically
prescribe a set of standard reporting forms and instructions to be used by each
Licensee in filing the reports.
(c)
Each report to the CGS shall be received or postmarked not later than the
required filing date unless specific approval for an extension is granted to
the Licensee. Requests for a filing extension must be submitted to the CGS in
writing prior to the required filing date.
(i)
Annual reports shall be due not later than June 1 of the following year.
Licensee shall report to the Commission essential details of any loans,
borrowings, significant installment contracts with a value of over $25,000 per
year, guarantees, leases, or capital contributions at least annually.
6.080
Audited
financial statements.
(a) Each
Licensee, unless specifically exempted by the Commission, shall, at its own
expense, cause its annual financial statements to be audited in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards by an independent certified public
accountant licensed to practice in the State of Arkansas.
(b) The annual financial statements shall be
prepared for the current year and shall present financial position and results
of operations in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
(c) The financial
statements required by this section shall include a footnote reconciling and
explaining any differences between the financial statements included in the
Licensee's annual report, filed in conformity with Section 6.040 of this
regulation, and the audited financial statements. Such footnote shall, at a
minimum, disclose the effect of such adjustments on:
(i) Revenues from the casino
gaming;
(ii) Revenues net of
complimentary services;
(iii) Total
costs and expenses;
(iv) Income
before extraordinary items; and
(v)
Net income.
(d) Two
copies of the annual audited financial statements, together with the report
thereon of the Licensee's independent certified public accountant, shall be
filed with the Commission, not later than June 1 following the end of the
calendar year.
(e) Each Licensee
shall require its independent certified public accountant to render the
following additional reports:
(i) Report on
material weaknesses in internal accounting control. Whenever in the opinion of
the independent certified public accountant there exists no material weaknesses
in internal accounting control, the report shall so state.
(ii) Whenever, in the opinion of the
independent certified public accountant, the Licensee has materially deviated
from the system of internal accounting control approved by the Commission or
the accounts, records, and control procedures examined are not maintained by
the Licensee in accordance with the this document, the report shall enumerate
such deviations and such areas of the system no longer considered effective,
and shall make recommendations regarding improvements in the system of internal
accounting control.
(iii) The
Licensee shall prepare a written response to the independent certified public
accountant's reports required by (e)(i) and (ii) above. The response shall
indicate, in detail, the corrective actions taken. Such response shall be
submitted to the Commission within 90 days from receipt of the independent
certified public accountant's reports.
(f) Two copies of the reports required by (e)
above, and two copies of any other reports on internal accounting control,
administrative controls, or other matters relative to the Licensee's accounting
or operating procedures rendered by the Licensee's independent certified public
accountant, shall be filed with the Commission by the Licensee by June 1
following the end of the calendar year or upon receipt, whichever is
earlier.
(g) If the Licensee or any
of its affiliates is publicly held, the Commission may require the Affiliate to
submit five copies to the Commission of any report, including but not limited
to forms S-1, 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K, proxy or information statements and all
registration statements, required to be filed by such Licensee or affiliates
with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other domestic or foreign
securities regulatory agency, at the time of filing with such agency.
(h) If an independent certified public
accountant who was previously engaged as the principal accountant to audit the
Licensee's financial statements resigns or is dismissed as the Licensee's
principal accountant, or another independent certified public accountant is
engaged as principal accountant, the Licensee shall file a report with the
Commission within ten days following the end of the month in which such event
occurs, setting forth the following:
(i) The
date of such resignation, dismissal, or engagement.
(ii) Whether in connection with the audits of
the two most recent years preceding such resignation, dismissal, or engagement
there were any disagreements with the former accountant on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing
scope or procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of
the former accountant would have caused him to make reference in connection
with his report to the subject matter of the disagreement, including a
description of each such disagreement. The disagreements to be reported include
those resolved and those not resolved.
(iii) Whether the principal accountant's
report on the financial statements for any of the past two years contained an
adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion or was qualified. The nature of such
adverse opinion, disclaimer of opinion, or qualification shall be
described.
(iv) The Licensee shall
request the former accountant to furnish to the Licensee a letter addressed to
the Commission, stating whether he/she agrees with the statements made by the
Licensee in response to (i) of this section. Such letter shall be filed with
the Commission as an exhibit to the report required by (i) of this
section.
6.090
Internal control for
licensees.
(a) Each Licensee shall
submit to the Commission and to the CGS a narrative description of its system
of internal procedures and administrative and accounting controls ("internal
controls"), or modifications to previously approved internal controls, at least
30 days before the Licensee's casino gaming operations are to commence, unless
otherwise directed by the Commission. Each submission shall be accompanied by a
certification by the Licensee's Chief Financial Officer or equivalent that the
submitted internal controls are adequate, effective and establish a consistent
overall system of internal controls and conform to generally accepted
accounting principles. The initial submission shall be accompanied by a report
of an independent certified public accountant licensed to practice in Arkansas
or other state acceptable by the Commission, stating that the submitted system
conforms in all respects to the standards of internal control set forth in the
Commission's rules or in what respects the system does not conform. Except as
otherwise provided in this section, a Licensee may, upon submission to the
Commission of a narrative description of a change in its system of internal
controls and the two original signed certifications described above, implement
the change on the 16th calendar day following the
completed submission. Any submission received by the Commission after 3:00 P.M.
shall be considered to have been submitted on the next business day. Each
submission by a licensee or applicant shall include, as applicable and without
limitation, the following:
(i) Administrative
controls which include, without limitation, the procedures and records that are
concerned with the decision-making processes leading to management's
authorization of transactions;
(ii)
Accounting controls which have as their primary objectives the safeguarding of
assets and the reliability of financial records and are consequently designed
to provide reasonable assurance that:
(1)
Transactions are executed in accordance with management's general and specific
authorization;
(2) Transactions are
recorded to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles and Section 6.040, and to maintain
accountability for assets;
(3)
Access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management authorization;
and
(iii) The recorded
accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable
intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences;
(iv) A list of persons
assigned to the repairing and maintenance of gaming machines and bill
acceptors, participating in the filling of payout reserve containers and
payment of jackpots or any other job duty involving the operation of the casino
gaming. This information does not have to be submitted to the Commission
however, must be available for auditing by the CGS. Nothing in this section
shall be construed to limit a Licensee from utilizing personnel in addition to
those described herein nor shall anything in this section be construed to limit
the discretion of the Commission to order the utilization of additional
personnel by the Licensee necessary for the proper conduct and effective
supervision of gaming in an establishment;
(v) Records regarding Licensee
ownership;
(vi) Procedures for
patron signature files used for identifying a person or validity of a
signature, if applicable;
(vii)
Maintain internal controls for the authorization and issuance of complimentary
services and items, including cash and non-cash gifts. Such internal controls
shall include, without limitation, the procedures by which the Licensee
delegates to its employees the authority to approve the issuance of
complimentary services and items for casino gaming patrons and the procedures
by which conditions or limits, if any, which may apply to such authority are
established and modified, including limits based on relationships between the
authorizer and recipient, and shall further include effective provisions for
audit purposes.
(viii) Procedures
on overall reconciliation of all documents including jackpot payout slips,
ticket redemption terminal fills, receipts generated by cashiers, change
persons and attendants along with the conforming soft count room
receipt;
(ix) Develop a plan that
defines handling of the receipt of chips from the manufacturer, inventory of
chips at the Licensee and the destruction of the chips by the Licensee, where
applicable.
(x) Develop a written
procedure for determining the "gross receipts from casino gaming" and "gross
wagering revenue" for each type of casino gaming offered.
(b) The Commission shall review a submission
made pursuant to (a) above and information made available to the Commission
pursuant to (a) and determine whether the internal controls conform to the
requirements of the Commission and provides adequate and effective controls for
the operations of the Licensee. No applicant for a license shall commence
wagering on casino gaming until the Licensee's system of internal controls is
approved by the Commission.
(c) If,
during its review of a Licensee's internal controls the Commission determines
that a procedure in the internal controls contains a substantial and material
insufficiency likely to have a direct and materially adverse impact on the
integrity of gaming or the control of gross revenue, the Commission, by written
notice to the Licensee, shall:
(i) Specify the
precise nature of the insufficiency and when possible, an acceptable
alternative procedure;
(ii)
Schedule a hearing before the Commission no later than 15 calendar days after
the date of such written notice to determine whether the internal controls are
insufficient; and
(iii) Direct that
any internal controls in issue not be implemented until approved by the
Commission.
(d) Examples
of procedures that the Commission may, under appropriate circumstances,
determine to contain a substantial and material insufficiency likely to have a
direct and materially adverse impact on the integrity of gaming or the control
of gross revenue shall include, without limitation, the following:
(i) Procedures that fail to provide an
adequate audit trail that would permit the review of the Licensee's casino
gaming operations or the reconstruction of gross revenue of
transactions;
(ii) Procedures that
fail to provide for the segregation of Incompatible Functions so that no
employee is in a position both to commit an error or to perpetrate a fraud and
to conceal the error or fraud in the normal course of his or her
duties;
(iii) Procedures that do
not include forms or other materials referenced in the submission or required
by the regulations that are essential elements of the internal controls and
prevent a meaningful review of the submission;
(iv) Procedures that would implement
accounting procedures not yet authorized by the regulations of the Commission;
and
(v) Procedures that are
dependent upon the use of equipment or related devices or software not yet
approved by the Commission, unless such procedures are required as part of an
authorized test of the equipment or related device or software.
(e) If a Licensee is notified
pursuant to (c) above that a particular internal control procedure contains a
substantial and material insufficiency and that a hearing on the procedure has
been scheduled before the Commission on a specific date, the 20-day review
period for any revision to those internal control procedures after receipt of
the Commission's notice shall not commence unless the revision is accompanied
by the two certifications required (a) above.
(f) A current version of the internal
controls of a Licensee shall be maintained in, or made available through secure
computer access to, the accounting department and surveillance department of
the Licensee. The Licensee shall also maintain a copy of any superseded changes
to its internal control procedures and the two certifications required for each
change for a minimum of five years in a location approved by the Commission.
Each page of the internal controls shall indicate, as applicable, the date on
which it was submitted to the Commission and the date on which it was either
approved by the Commission or implemented pursuant to (a) above or immediate
changes to internal controls which shall include the date on which it was filed
internally and implemented by the Licensee.
(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of
this section to the contrary, the two certifications otherwise required by (a)
above shall not be required for changes to the jobs compendium of a Licensee
other than the licensed categories, job codes, job functions, reporting lines
(including but not limited to new positions and deleted positions) or job
titles as provided within the organizational structure.
(g) Nothing contained herein would preclude
any Licensee from implementing procedures which constitute an acceptable
alternative to the specific standards set forth herein. Any such alternative
procedure would have to be submitted to the Commission in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this section and would have to be reviewed and approved
by the Commission.
(h) Licensee's
System of Internal Controls Not Required To Be Submitted To the Commission
(i) Each Licensee offering gaming operations
shall make available to the Commission and to the CGS for inspection and
approval, which are not required to be submitted to the commission, as
applicable and without limitation, the following:
(1) An organizational structure which is
designed to preserve the integrity of the Licensee. This information does not
have to be submitted to the Commission however, must be available for auditing
by the CGS;
(2) The design,
construction, location and security of the count room, currency vault, Cashier
Booths and Cashier Cages. This information does not have to be submitted to the
Commission however, must be available for auditing by the CGS;
(3) The names of persons possessing access to
the currency bank, security keys and those that are authorized to access the
alarm system. This information does not have to be submitted to the Commission
however, must be available for auditing by the CGS;
(4) Removal, transportation and count of cash
storage boxes including the signature procedures. This information does not
have to be submitted to the Commission however, must be available for auditing
by the CGS;
(5) The Licensee's
Surveillance System plan, including the Surveillance System location(s). This
information does not have to be submitted to the Commission however, must be
available for auditing by the CGS;
(6) Policies and procedures that allows and
tracks those individuals who request to be "excluded" from the facility that
are voluntarily agreeing to be excluded from all casino gaming activities and
to be prohibited from collecting any winnings or recovering any losses at all
eligible facilities. This information does not have to be submitted to the
Commission however, must be available for auditing by the CGS;
(ii) This information will be
assessed by the Commission in conjunction with the submitted system of internal
controls, as outlined in these Rules to ensure the Licensee is operating with
adequate and effective controls.
6.100
Internal control for operators
of inter-casino linked systems and mobile gaming systems.
1. Each operator shall prepare and submit a
written internal control system describing the operation of the inter-casino
linked system or mobile gaming system, in accordance with this regulation. Each
operator shall, if required by the Commission, amend the written system to
comply with any requirements consistent with this regulation that the
Commission deems appropriate.
2.
Each operator and each licensee participating in each operator's inter-casino
linked system or mobile gaming system shall comply with the internal control
system and all amendments to such internal control system as have been approved
by the Commission.
3. Unless the
Commission approves otherwise in writing, each operator shall direct an
independent accountant engaged by the operator to perform observations,
document examinations and inquiries of employees to determine compliance with
the operator's internal control system using procedures approved by the
Commission. The independent accountant engaged by the operator will submit to
the operator two copies of a written report of its compliance with the internal
control system approved by the Commission. Not later than 150 days after the
end of the operator's business year, the operator shall submit two copies of
the independent accountant's report summarizing all instances of noncompliance
or any other correspondence directly relating to the operator's system of
internal control to the Commission, accompanied by the operator's statement
addressing each item of noncompliance noted by the independent accountant and
describing the corrective measures taken.
6.110
Gross revenue
computations.
1. If the Licensee
provides periodic payments to satisfy a payout resulting from a wager, the
initial installment payment when paid and the actual cost of a payment plan
approved pursuant to these Rules and funded by the licensee may be deducted
from winnings. For any funding method which merely guarantees the licensee's
performance and under which the licensee makes payments directly out of cash
flow (e.g., irrevocable letters of credits, surety bonds, or other similar
methods), the licensee may only deduct such payments when paid to the
patron.
2. For payouts by
inter-casino linked system operators a licensee may deduct from winnings its
pro rata share of an inter-casino linked system payout, except for a payout
made in conjunction with a card game, under the provisions of its contract with
the operator of the system and in accordance with the requirements stated
herein.
3. A licensee shall not
exclude money paid out on wagers that are knowingly accepted by the licensee in
violation of the regulations of the Commission from gross revenue.
4. If in any month the amount of gross
revenue is less than zero, the licensee may deduct the excess in the succeeding
months, until the loss is fully offset against gross revenue.
5.
(a)
Beginning January 1, 2019 and continuing on each January 1 annually thereafter
all casino gaming tickets/vouchers that (i) are more than one year old as of
such January 1 and (ii) have not been presented for payment or otherwise
redeemed prior to such January 1 shall become void at 12:01 a.m. on such
January 1 of each year. All tickets/vouchers declared void under this rule
shall become part of the net win and thus "net wagering revenues from casino
gaming" and "net gaming receipts" for the purposes of net gaming receipts tax
on such January 1.
(b) Licensee
each quarter shall report and remit to DF&A all winnings withheld from
patrons who are determined to be less than 21 years of age or excluded persons.
Any excluded person who has engaged in gaming activity at a Licensee's premises
prior to detection and whose gaming has resulted in a win by the excluded
patron, shall forfeit all winnings immediately upon detection of the excluded
person by the Licensee or Commission. A Licensee shall not reimburse the
excluded person for any losses incurred while the excluded person engaged in
gaming activity. All winnings remitted to DF&A under this subsection shall
be paid to General Revenue.
(c)
Licensee each quarter shall report and remit to DF&A all jackpots that have
not been claimed within one (1) year. All winnings remitted to DF&A under
this subsection shall be paid to General Revenue.
(d) While under no legal obligation to do so,
a licensee may allow a patron to redeem a payout receipt or wagering voucher
that has been deemed expired pursuant to this section. In such cases:
(1) If any portion of the redemption value of
the expired payout receipt or wagering voucher had been included in reported
gross revenue, the licensee shall deduct that amount from reported gross
revenue for the month the receipt or voucher was redeemed.
(2) If redeemed in the same quarter it
expired, no portion of the redemption value of the payout receipt or wagering
voucher is to be remitted to the Commission, nor is any portion of the
redemption value to be included in the quarterly report to the
Commission.
(3) If any portion of
the redemption value of the expired payout receipt or wagering voucher was
previously remitted to the Commission, the licensee shall deduct that amount
from the next quarterly payment due the Commission up to the total amount due
for that quarter. Any remaining amount shall be deducted in the same manner
from amounts due in subsequent quarters until the amount has been fully
deducted.
(e) A record
of all expired payout receipts and wagering vouchers shall be created and
maintained in accordance with the record keeping requirements set forth in
these Rules.
(f) For purposes of
this section, the term "slot machine" means a gaming device for which gross
revenue is calculated pursuant to the method described herein.
6.120
Uncollected baccarat commissions.
1. If
a licensee does not collect baccarat commissions due from a patron at the
conclusion of play and elects to waive payment, such action must be authorized
and documented in accordance with these Rules.
2. Concurrently with the decision to not
collect the baccarat commission, the licensee must record, in such manner and
using such preprinted, prenumbered forms as the Commission has approved:
(a) Date, shift and time the licensee
determined to not collect the baccarat commission;
(b) The amount of the baccarat commission not
collected;
(c) The baccarat table
number;
(d) Patron name, if
known;
(e) The dealer's signature;
and
(f) A baccarat supervisor's
signature.
3. Such forms
shall be sent to the accounting department at least every 24 hours and
reconciled numerically to account for all forms. A form may be used to record
more than one transaction; however each transaction must indicate all of the
above required signatures. Descriptions of the forms and procedures utilized
must be included in the licensee's submitted system of internal
control.
4. An uncollected baccarat
commission that is not waived in accordance with this regulation shall be
documented by a credit instrument that clearly indicates it represents an
uncollected baccarat commission, and that conforms to all documentation and
procedural requirements of the licensee's submitted system of internal
control.
5. Failure to comply with
these regulations is an unsuitable method of operation, but shall not subject
the licensee to any payment of taxes or fees on any baccarat commission not
collected.
6.130
Mandatory disclosure provisions for credit applications and credit
instruments.
1. Each credit application
must contain a statement approved by the Commission, separately signed by the
patron, and in a font size of not less than 9 points, acknowledging the
patron's understanding, that under Arkansas law a credit instrument is the same
as a personal check, and knowingly writing a credit instrument with
insufficient funds in the account upon which it is drawn, or with intent to
defraud, is a criminal act in the State of Arkansas which may result in
criminal prosecution. The following language, if used on a credit application,
is deemed approved:
"Warning: For the purposes of Arkansas law, a credit instrument
is identical to a personal check and may be deposited in or presented for
payment to a bank or other financial institution on which the credit instrument
is drawn. Willfully drawing or passing a credit instrument with the intent to
defraud, including knowing that there are insufficient funds in an account upon
which it may be drawn, is a crime in the State of Arkansas which may result in
criminal prosecution in addition to civil proceedings to collect the
outstanding debt."
2. Each
credit instrument must contain a notification, approved by the Commission,
permanently and legibly printed on the face of the original credit instrument,
in a font size of not less than 6 points, that notifies the patron of the
requirements of Arkansas law regarding personal checks. The following language,
if used on a credit instrument, is deemed approved:
"A credit instrument is identical to a personal check.
Willfully drawing or passing a credit instrument knowing there are insufficient
funds in an account upon which it may be drawn, or with the intent to defraud,
is a crime in the State of Arkansas which may result in criminal
prosecution."
3. All
documents created pursuant to this section must be retained in accordance with
the requirements of these Rules.
4.
Credit applications and credit instruments issued by licensees to patrons after
the effective date of this section must contain the required wording. Such
documentation issued by licensees to patrons before the effective date need not
include the required disclosures.
6.140
Treatment of credit for purposes
of computing gross revenue.
1. Gross
revenue does not include credit extended or collected by the Licensee for
purposes other than gaming. Gross revenue includes the amount of gaming credit
extended to a patron that is not documented in a credit instrument.
2. Each licensee shall:
(a) Document, prior to extending credit, that
it:
(1) Has received information from a bona
fide credit reporting agency that the patron has an established credit history
that is not entirely derogatory; or
(2) Has received information from a legal
business that has extended credit to the patron that the patron has an
established credit history that is not entirely derogatory; or
(3) Has received information from a financial
institution at which the patron maintains an account that the patron has an
established credit history that is not entirely derogatory; or
(4) Has examined records of its previous
credit transactions with the patron showing that the patron has paid
substantially all of the patron's credit instruments and otherwise documents
that it has a reasonable basis for placing the amount or sum placed at the
patron's disposal; or
(5) Was
informed by another licensee that extended gaming credit to the patron that the
patron has previously paid substantially all of the debt to the other licensee
and the licensee otherwise documents that it has a reasonable basis for placing
the amount or sum placed at the patron's disposal; or
(6) If no credit information was available
from any of the sources listed in subparagraphs (1) through (5) for a patron
who is not a resident of the United States, the licensee has received, in
writing, information from an agent or employee of the licensee who has personal
knowledge of the patron's credit reputation or financial resources that there
is a reasonable basis for extending credit in the amount or sum placed at the
patron's disposal;
(7) In the case
of personal checks, has examined and has recorded the patron's valid driver's
license or, if a driver's license cannot be obtained, some other document
normally acceptable as a means of identification when cashing checks, and has
recorded a bank check guarantee card number or credit card number or has
documented one of the credit checks set forth in subparagraphs (1) through
(6);
(8) In the case of third party
checks for which cash, or chips have been issued to the patron or which were
accepted in payment of another credit instrument, has examined and has recorded
the patron's valid driver's license, or if a driver's license cannot be
obtained, some other document normally acceptable as a means of identification
when cashing checks and has, for the check's maker or drawer, performed and
documented one of the credit checks set forth in subparagraphs (1) through
(6);
(9) In the case of guaranteed
drafts, has complied with the issuance and acceptance procedures prescribed by
the issuer.
(b) Ensure
that the patron to whom the credit is extended either signs the credit
instrument when credit is extended or, unless the requirements of these Rules
have been met, acknowledges the debt and the instrument's validity in a signed,
written statement within 30 days of the audit division's request;
(c) Obtain and record the patron's address
before extending the credit, or, unless the requirements of these Rules have
been met, furnish the patron's current address within 30 days of the audit
division's request.
3. A
licensee, after extending credit, shall:
(a)
Document that it has:
(1) Attempted to collect
payment from the patron once every ninety (90) days from the date:
(i) The credit is extended; or
(ii) Upon which the licensee and patron agree
that the debt will become due and payable. An agreement by the licensee and the
patron to extend the date the debt becomes due and payable beyond ninety (90)
days from the date the credit was extended must be documented. If the agreement
is not documented, collection attempts must be made as provided in this
subsection, until the agreement is documented. Notwithstanding the forgoing,
the licensee must commence collection efforts within ninety (90) days after the
date which is eighteen (18) months after the date on which the credit is
extended regardless of any agreement to extend the due date.
(2) Attempted to collect payment
from the patron by requesting payment in letters sent to the patron's
last-known address, or via facsimile transmission or electronic mail, or in
personal or telephone conversations with the patron, or by presenting the
credit instrument to the patron's bank for collection, or by a collection
method or methods which the Commission determines to constitute good faith
efforts to collect the full amount of the debt.
(b) Furnish the credit instrument to the
Commission within 30 days after the audit division's request, unless the
licensee has independent, written, and reliable verification that the credit
instrument is in the possession of a court, governmental agency, or financial
institution; has been returned to the patron upon partial payment of the
instrument; has been returned to the patron upon the licensee's good faith
belief that it had entered into a valid settlement and the licensee provides a
copy of the original credit instrument and a document created contemporaneously
with the settlement that contains the information required by these Rules; has
been stolen and the licensee has made a written report of the theft to an
appropriate law enforcement agency, other than the Commission, having
jurisdiction to investigate the theft; or the Commission waives the
requirements of the subsection because the credit instrument cannot be produced
because of any other circumstances beyond the licensee's control.
(1) Theft reports made pursuant to this
paragraph must be made within 30 days of the licensee's discovery of the theft
and must include general information about the alleged crime, the amount of
financial loss sustained, the date of the alleged theft, and the names of
employees or agents of the licensee who may be contacted for further
information. Each licensee shall furnish to the audit division a copy of theft
reports made pursuant to this paragraph within 30 days of its
request.
(2) If the licensee has
returned a credit instrument upon partial payment, consolidation, or redemption
of the debt, it shall issue a new "substituted" credit instrument in place of
the original and shall furnish the substituted credit instrument to the audit
division within 30 days of its request, unless the licensee has independent,
written, and reliable verification that the substituted credit instrument
cannot be produced because it is in the possession of a court, governmental
agency, or financial institution; has been stolen and the licensee has made a
written report of the theft to an appropriate law enforcement agency, other
than the Commission, having jurisdiction to investigate the theft; or the
Commission waives the requirements of this subparagraph because the substituted
credit instrument cannot be produced because of any other circumstances beyond
the licensee's control.
(c) Submit a written report of a forgery, if
any, of the patron's signature on the instrument to an appropriate law
enforcement agency, other than the Commission, having jurisdiction to
investigate the forgery. The report must include general information about the
alleged crime, the amount of financial loss sustained, the date of the alleged
forgery, and identification of employees or agents of the licensee who may be
contacted for further information. Each licensee shall furnish a copy of
forgery reports made pursuant to this paragraph to the audit division within 30
days of its request.
(d) Permit the
audit division within 30 days of its request to confirm in writing with the
patron the existence of the debt, the amount of the original credit instrument,
and the unpaid balance, if any.
(e)
Retain all documents showing, and otherwise make detailed records of,
compliance with this subsection, and furnish them to the audit division within
30 days after its request.]
4. Each licensee shall include in gross
revenue all or any portion of an unpaid balance on any credit instrument if the
Commission determines that, with respect to that credit instrument, the
licensee has failed to comply with the requirements of these Rules.
5. A licensee need not include in gross
revenue the unpaid balance of a credit instrument even if the Commission
determines that a licensee has failed to comply with these Rules if the
requirements of these Rules and one or more of the following paragraphs are
satisfied, and the licensee documents or otherwise keeps detailed records of
compliance with this subsection and furnishes them to the audit division within
30 days after its request. In the case in which the debts of several patrons
are consolidated for purposes of settlement, the licensee shall document that
the consolidation of the accounts of several patrons is not for the purpose of
avoiding an adverse determination under these Rules.
(a) The licensee settles the debt for less
than its full amount to induce the patron to make a partial payment. This
paragraph is satisfied only if the licensee first requests payment of the debt
in full from the patron, the patron fails to respond to the request or refuses
to pay the debt in full, and the patron then makes a partial payment in
consideration for settlement of the debt for less than the full
amount.
(b) The licensee settles
the debt for less than its full amount to compromise a genuine dispute between
the patron and the licensee regarding the existence or amount of the
debt.
(c) The licensee settles the
debt for less than its full amount because the licensee in good faith believes,
and records the basis for its belief, that the patron's business will be
retained in the future, or the patron's business is in fact retained.
(d) The licensee settles the debt for less
than its full amount to obtain a patron's business and to induce timely payment
of the credit instrument. This paragraph is only satisfied if the percentage of
the discount off the face value of the credit instrument is reasonable as
compared to the prevailing practice in the industry at the time the credit
instrument was issued.
6. Each licensee shall ensure:
(a) That a debt settled pursuant to these
Rules is settled either with the patron to whom the credit was initially
extended or the patron's personal representative. For purposes of this section,
a personal representative is an individual who has been authorized by the
patron to make a settlement on the patron's behalf. The licensee shall document
its reasonable basis for its belief that the patron has authorized the
individual to settle the patron's debt.
(b) That the settlement is authorized by
persons designated to do so in the licensee's system of internal control, and
the settlement agreement is reflected in a single document prepared within 30
days of the agreement and the document includes:
(1) The patron's name;
(2) The original amount of the credit
instrument;
(3) The amount of the
settlement stated in words;
(4) The
date of the agreement;
(5) The
reason for the settlement;
(6) The
signatures of the licensee's employees who authorized the settlement;
(7) The patron's signature or in cases in
which the patron's signature is not on the settlement document, confirmation
from the patron acknowledging the debt, the settlement and its terms and
circumstances in a signed, written statement received by the audit division
within 30 days of its request. If confirmation from the patron is not available
because of circumstances beyond the licensee's control, the licensee shall
provide such other information regarding the settlement as the Commission
determines is necessary to confirm the debt and settlement.
7. If the Commission
determines that it is necessary to independently verify the existence or the
amount of a settlement made pursuant to these Rules, the licensee shall allow
the audit division to confirm the settlement and its terms and circumstances
with the patron to whom the credit was initially extended.
8. A licensee shall include in gross revenue
all money, and the net fair market value of property or services received by
the licensee, its agent or employee, or a person controlling, controlled by, or
under common control with the licensee in payment of credit
instruments.
9. A licensee may
exclude money received in payment of credit instruments from gross revenue if
the licensee notifies the Commission in writing within 30 days of the
licensee's discovery of the alleged criminal misappropriation of the money by
an agent or employee of the licensee or by a person controlling, controlled by,
or under common control with the licensee where the agent, employee, or person
was involved in the collection process, and if the licensee:
(a) Files a written report with an
appropriate law enforcement agency, other than the Commission, alleging
criminal misappropriation of the money and furnishes a copy of such report to
the Commission within 30 days of the audit division's request;
(b) Files and prosecutes a civil action
against the agent, employee, or person for recovery of the misappropriated
money and furnishes copies of legal pleadings to the Commission within 30 days
of the audit division's request; or
(c) Otherwise demonstrates to the
Commission's satisfaction, within the time limits set by the Commission, that
the money was in fact criminally misappropriated and not merely retained by the
agent, employee, or person as payment for services or costs.
10. If the licensee recovers any
money, previously excluded from gross revenue pursuant to these Rules, the
licensee shall include the money in gross revenue for the month in which the
money is recovered.
6.150
Mandatory count
procedure.
(a) The cash storage box
shall be removed at a time designated by the Licensee and accepted by the
Commission and CGS. However, a Licensee may, with prior CGS approval, establish
a less frequent schedule for the removal of cash storage boxes from those
gaming devices connected to an approved gaming device ticket system. No cash
storage box shall be emptied or removed from its compartment at other than the
times specified on such schedule except with the express notification to the
Commission. Prior to emptying or removing any cash storage box, a Licensee
shall notify security and the surveillance department of the transportation
route that will be utilized.
6.160
Handling of cash. Each
gaming employee, owner, or licensee who receives currency of the United States
(other than tips or gratuities) from a patron in the gaming area of a gaming
establishment shall promptly place the currency in the locked box in the table
or, in the case of a cashier, in the appropriate place in the cashier's cage,
or on those games which do not have a locked box or on card game tables, in an
appropriate place on the table, in the cash register, or other repository
approved by the Commission.
6.170
Net gaming receipts tax
The net gaming receipts tax shall be governed by the Arkansas
Tax Procedure Act, §
26-18-101,
et seq.
6.170
On-site CGS offices
(a) There shall be, for the exclusive use of
the CGS agents, office space at each Licensee's licensed premises for
monitoring and recording purposes. The designation of the CGS office shall be
approved by the Commission.
6.180
Significant events
The following are the events that gaming devices must
immediately report to the Central Monitoring System, in real-time. All
Accounting and Occurrence meters and Error Conditions as defined within these
regulations that are not listed below must also be communicated to the Central
Monitoring System although, not in real-time unless requested by the system
itself:
(a) Power Resets or power
failure;
(b) Handpay Conditions
(amount needs to be sent to the system):
(i)
Gaming Device Jackpot (An award in excess of the single win limit of the gaming
device);
(ii) Cancelled Credit
Handpay; and
(iii) Progressive
Jackpot (As per Gaming Device Jackpot, above.)
(c) Door Openings (any external door that
accesses a critical area, on the gaming device). Door switches (discrete inputs
to the Interface Element) are acceptable if their operation does not result in
redundant or confusing messaging.
(d) Bill Acceptor Errors ('i' and 'ii' should
each be sent as a unique message, if supported by the Communication Protocol):
(i) Stacker Full (if supported);
and
(ii) Bill (Item) jam.
(e) Gaming Device Low RAM Battery
Error;
(f) Reel Spin Errors (if
applicable with individual reel number identified);
(g) Printer Errors (if printer supported):
(i) Printer Empty/Paper Low; and
(ii) Printer Disconnect/Failure.
(h) The following priority events
must be conveyed to the On-Line Monitoring System where a mechanism must exist
for timely notification:
(i) Loss of
Communication with Interface Element;
(ii) Loss of Communication with a gaming
device;
(iii) Memory corruption of
the Interface Element, if storing critical information; and
(iv) RAM corruption of the gaming
device.
6.200
Electronic Accounting and Occurrence Meters
Electronic accounting meters shall be at least seven (7) digits
in length. If the meter is being used in dollars and cents, at least nine (9)
digits must be used for the dollar amount. The meter must roll over to zero
upon the next occurrence any time the meter is seven (7) digits or higher and
after 9,999,999 has been reached (or any other value that is logical).
Occurrence meters shall be at least three (3) digits in length and roll over to
zero upon the next occurrence any time the meter is higher than the maximum
number of digits for that meter. The required electronic meters are as follows
(accounting meters are designated with an asterisk '*'):
(a) The Amounts Wagered* (OR cash in) meter
shall cumulatively count the total amounts Wagered during game play, except
credits that are won during the game that are subsequently risked in a
double-up mode.
(b) The Amounts
Won* (OR credit out) meter shall cumulatively count all amounts won by the
player at the end of the game that were not paid by an Attendant, including
amounts paid by a ticket printer. This meter must not increment for bills
inserted and cashed out (used as a change machine).
(c) The drop* meter shall maintain a
cumulative credit value of all bills and tickets/coupons inserted into the Bill
Acceptor for play.
(d) The
handpays* meter shall reflect the cumulative amounts paid by an Attendant for
progressive and non-progressive wins.
(e) The games-played meter shall display the
cumulative number of games played since the last RAM clear.
(f) A cabinet door meter shall display the
number of times the front cabinet door was opened since the last RAM
clear.
(g) The drop door meter
shall display the number of times the drop door and the Bill Acceptor door was
opened since the last RAM clear.
(h) The cancelled credit* meter shall reflect
the cumulative amounts paid by an Attendant that are in excess of the credit
limit and residual credits that are collected.
(i) NOTE: printer games do not require a
cancelled credit meter unless a 'printer limit' option exists on the
game.
(j) The progressive
occurrence meter shall count the number of times each progressive meter is
activated.