Connecticut Administrative Code
Title 12 - Taxation
865 - Online Casino Gaming, Retail and Online Sports Wagering, Fantasy Contests, Keno and Online Sale of Lottery Tickets
Section 12-865-15 - Online Casino Game Approval

Universal Citation: CT Reg of State Agencies 12-865-15

Current through September 9, 2024

(a) Except as otherwise determined by the department in writing, an online gaming operator shall not operate an online casino game, which shall have the same meaning as online casino gaming, unless the game has been certified by a licensed independent testing laboratory as provided for in section 12-865-19 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The online gaming operator is responsible for all costs associated with testing and obtaining such certification.

(b) Online gaming operators may seek approval of an online casino game by submitting an application to the department in the manner and form prescribed by the department.

(c) An online gaming operator shall submit all online casino games proposed for use to an independent lab licensed by the department for evaluation and certification and all changes to online casino games in accordance with 12-865-19 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The online gaming operator shall provide to the department the certification issued by the licensed independent lab. If the licensed independent lab fails to certify the online casino game, the online gaming operator may seek to have the online casino game certified by another independent lab licensed by the department. If the second independent lab certifies the online casino game the department will review the findings from both labs and make a determination as to whether or not to approve the online casino game.

(d) The online gaming operator seeking approval for an online casino game shall provide all information the department requests, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) A complete, comprehensive, and technically accurate description and explanation of the online casino game and its intended use in both technical and lay language.

(2) Detailed operating procedures.

(3) A description of online casino game play, system features, and fault conditions.

(4) A description of all software including software version.

(5) Complete pay table information including pay table identification and date code.

(6) Detailed information on the random number generator.

(7) Return to player calculation sheet.

(8) Rake or scaled commission fee percentage.

(9) Rules of the online casino game.

(e) All online casino game software used to conduct internet gaming shall be designed with a method to permit the validation of software using a gaming authentication tool or other method approved by the department.

(f) A submission for department approval of software to be used on an electronic wagering platform for progressive jackpot games, where the amount of the jackpot increases each time an online casino game is played but the jackpot is not won, shall also include all of the following at a minimum:

(1) Software controlling the electronic jackpot.

(2) A mechanism to authenticate the software.

(3) Rules that will be displayed to the patron that apply to a progressive jackpot.

(4) The online casino games that are common to a single progressive.

(5) The odds of hitting the progressive amount.

(6) The reset value of the progressive.

(7) The rate of progression for the progressive amount.

(8) How the rate of progression is split between the various progressive components.

(9) Other information considered necessary and requested in writing by the department to ensure compliance with the act and this section.

(g) All the following provisions apply to calculation sheets:

(1) For each online casino game program submitted, the online gaming operator requesting approval shall supply calculation sheets that determine the return to player percentage, including base game, bonus games or features, free games, double-up options, progressives, and any other game features included in the return to player calculation.

(2) Where different player options such as number of credits, lines bet, or player strategy cause the pay table to vary, a separate calculation for each option is required.

(h) The online gaming operator shall submit all online casino game source code and any special tool, computer equipment, compiling program, or other technical assistance necessary to compile the submitted software. The result of the compiled source code shall be identical to that in the storage medium submitted for evaluation.

(i) The online gaming operator shall provide the department with a method to compensate for or resolve any differences between the compiled program and the submitted program. The online gaming operator may employ other equivalent methods that ensure the results of the compiled source code are identical to the storage medium submitted for evaluation upon written request and approval of the department.

(j) Except where the department has provided written notification that approval is not required, an online gaming operator shall only operate an online casino game that has been approved by the department. An online gaming operator shall not alter the manner in which the online casino game operates without the prior written approval of the department.

(k) After evaluating the online casino game, the department shall advise the online gaming operator, in writing, of the determination.

(l) Each house-banked internet game that requires an electronic wager shall have a return to player equal to or greater than 80% unless otherwise authorized by the department. The return to player shall be calculated using both the highest and lowest level of skill, where player skill impacts the return to player.

(m) A house-banked internet game shall comply with all technical standards set forth in section 12-865-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and other technical standards established pursuant to section 12-865-3(n) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, except that the odds of achieving the highest advertised award that is based solely upon chance shall occur at least once in every 50 million games.

(n) The return to player of a house-banked internet game shall not decrease by more than 1/100 of a percentage point with an increased electronic wager unless the aggregate total of the decreases in return to player for plays offered by the house-banked online casino game is no more than one half of one percent.

(o) The projected contribution from a progressive award may not count toward the return to player of a house-banked online casino game in order to achieve the minimum return to player as approved by the department.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Connecticut may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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