Current through September 9, 2024
(a) All live online casino gaming shall be
conducted in a secure live game environment, located in the state, not
accessible by the public, and accessed through an electronic wagering platform
that complies with section 12-865-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State
Agencies. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this subsection, simulcasting
of live online casino gaming may be conducted in another state within the
United States through March 31, 2022 and broadcast by the online gaming
operator licensee so long as the entity simulcasting the live online casino
game holds an active gaming license from the state where the simulcasting
originates and an online gaming service provider license pursuant to section
12-865-6 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and the live online
casino gaming servers are located in accordance with section 12-865-13 of the
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
(b) No in[]person wagering of patrons
physically located where the live online casino game is taking place shall be
permitted during a live online casino game. Live online casino gaming shall be
offered exclusively to patrons accessing the game through the electronic
wagering platform.
(c) An online
gaming operator shall submit all live online casino games, including gaming
equipment, proposed for use by any online gaming operator to an independent
testing laboratory licensed by the department which lab shall review and
certify such game in accordance with the standards set forth in section
12-865-15 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The online gaming
operator is responsible for all costs associated with testing and obtaining
such approvals.
(d) All live online
casino games for proposed use shall meet or exceed the technical standards
specified in sections 12-865-13 and 12-865-15 of the Regulations of Connecticut
State Agencies and any other technical standards established pursuant to
section 12-865-3(n) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Master
wagering licensees and online gaming operators are prohibited from offering any
live online casino game without independent testing laboratory certification
and written approval by the department.
(e) The master wagering licensee and its
online gaming operator shall place the electronic wagering platform, servers,
or other equipment related to live online casino games that is capable of
receiving internet wagers in this state in accordance with sections
12-865-13(b), (c), and (bb) of the Regulations of Connecticut State
Agencies.
(f) The online gaming
operator providing live online casino games shall adopt, implement, and
maintain all technical standards specified in this section and sections
12-865-13 and 12-865-15 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies,
including the requirements for live online casino games, and any other
technical standards established pursuant to section 12-865-3(n) of the
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
(g) The live game environment shall be
clearly defined and demarcated and have appropriate physical security controls.
Secure areas, live game consumables, and live game equipment shall be protected
by entry controls and security procedures to ensure that only authorized
employees are allowed access. Live game equipment and consumables shall be
subject to access controls, both physical and logical, that prevent
unauthorized access to the live game equipment and consumables. Live game
environment security shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) Access to the areas where the live online
casino games occur, the whole of the area near the live game equipment, and the
areas where consumables are stored or prepared for use shall be protected by
physical barriers and security systems;
(2) Delivery, loading areas, and other access
points to the facility where the live online casino games occur or consumables
may be stored or prepared for use shall be controlled and isolated from
operations areas to avoid access by unauthorized individuals;
(3) The live game equipment and consumables
shall be subject to access controls, both physical and logical, that prevent
unauthorized access to the live game equipment and consumables; and
(4) Access points shall be actively monitored
by security staff.
(h)
The online gaming operator shall install, maintain, and operate a surveillance
system that has the capability to monitor and record continuous unobstructed
views of all live game play and areas where consumables are stored or prepared
for use.
(i) A continuous recording
shall be made of all the live online casino games played which includes, but is
not limited to, all of the following:
(1)
Identifiable and distinguishable information necessary to adequately
reconstruct each game, consistent with any required technical standards
established by the department under 12-865-3(n) of the Regulations of
Connecticut State Agencies. The live online casino game recall shall display
information including, but not limited to, all of the following, as applicable:
(A) The date and time the game was
played.
(B) The denomination played
for the game, if a multi[]denomination game type.
(C) The display associated with the final
outcome of the game, either graphically or by a clear text
description.
(D) The funds
available for wagering at the start of play and at the end of play.
(E) Total amount wagered, including any
complimentaries.
(F) Total amount
won.
(G) Rake, commission, or fees
collected.
(H) The results of any
patron choices involved in the game outcome.
(I) The results of any intermediate game
phases, such as double [] up gamble or bonus feature games.
(J) If a progressive jackpot or incrementing
jackpot was won, an indication that the jackpot was awarded.
(K) Any patron advice that is offered to the
patron for games with skill.
(2) Information necessary to determine the
date and time of each live online casino game to an accuracy of one second
relative to the clock used by the electronic wagering platform.
(3) Information necessary to determine the
sequence of live interactive online games relative to each other.
(4) Procedures shall be in place to ensure
that the recording meets all the following minimum conditions:
(A) Covers the defined live game environment
and areas where consumables are stored or prepared for use with sufficient
detail to confirm whether all game rules and relevant procedures were followed
and to identify any discrepancies.
(B) Is captured in such a way that precludes
interference or any deletion.
(C)
Is actively monitored by surveillance personnel.
(D) Can be reviewed by the online gaming
operator and the department in the event of a patron complaint or
dispute.
(E) Is kept for at least
ninety days or as otherwise determined by the department. Recordings shall be
maintained of any event that is subject to any investigation until the
completion of the investigation.
(j) The online gaming operator offering a
live online casino game shall utilize simulcast control servers for recording
all gaming activity and results. The online gaming operator may use the
operator's own surveillance camera and split live feed to the simulcast control
servers, or there may be a separate network of video involved. The simulcast
control servers shall do the following, including, but not limited to:
(1) Provide the patron with real[]time audio
and visual access to the live game being played, which shall include, but is
not limited to, the following:
(A) Any
information required in the technical standards;
(B) The actions of the gaming attendant and,
where applicable, other patrons;
(C) Date and time at the live game
studio;
(D) Location of the live
game studio;
(E) Game
identification, and the table number.
(2) Provide each patron with an equivalent
quality video and audio feed. This equivalence shall be measured and verified
whenever communications are initiated, including reconnection due to signal
interruptions or re[]initiation when the signal was severed. A minimum signal
connection requirement shall be established, enforced and disclosed to the
patron.
(3) Prevent anyone from
accessing the live game outcome prior to finalizing a wager.
(4) Record internet game results before
posting to the electronic wagering platform.
(5) Be equipped with a mechanism to void game
results, if necessary. The conditions under which a game may be voided shall be
clearly detailed in internal controls.
(k) The online gaming operator shall assign a
unique asset number for each live game equipment item. The online gaming
operator shall maintain an inventory of each live game equipment item. The
online gaming operator shall provide the inventory to the department upon
request. The inventory of live game equipment shall include the following
information:
(1) The asset number assigned by
the online gaming operator;
(2) The
type of game for which the live game equipment item is designed and
used;
(3) The location of each live
game equipment item; and
(4) The
manufacturer, supplier, or vendor of the live game equipment item.
(l) Unless otherwise authorized by
the department, approved live game equipment and consumables may only be
installed and used to provide live online casino games to an online gaming
operator. Access to live game equipment and consumables shall be strictly
controlled to prevent unauthorized access.
(m) The online gaming operator shall provide
a secure location for the placement, operation, and usage of live game
equipment, including simulcast control servers, gaming servers, and
communications equipment. Security policies and procedures shall be in place
and reviewed periodically to ensure that risks are identified and mitigated.
Live game equipment shall meet all of the following minimum requirements:
(1) Live game equipment shall be installed
according to a defined plan and records of all installed live game equipment
shall be maintained.
(2) Live game
equipment shall be sited or protected to reduce risk from all of the following,
without limitation:
(A) Environmental threats
and hazards.
(B) Opportunities for
unauthorized access.
(C) Power
failures.
(D) Other disruptions
caused by failures in supporting utilities.
(3) Access to the live game equipment by the
gaming attendant, such as a dealer or croupier, shall be controlled by a secure
logon procedure or other secure process to ensure that only authorized gaming
attendants are allowed access. All modifications to configuration settings of
the live game equipment shall follow a secure process and be performed in
accordance with approved change management and related release note
processes.
(4) A patron session,
where supported by live game equipment, shall be initiated by the gaming
attendant logging in to the attendant's user account using the attendant's
secure username and password or an alternative means for the gaming attendant
to provide identification information. The user session shall meet the
following minimum requirements:
(A) All
available options presented to the gaming attendant shall be tied to the gaming
attendant's user account.
(B) If
the live game equipment does not receive input from the gaming attendant within
five minutes, or a period specified by the department, the patron session shall
time out or lock up, requiring the gaming attendant to re[]establish the gaming
attendant's login in order to continue.
(5) Live game equipment shall be correctly
maintained, inspected and serviced at regular intervals by designated staff to
ensure that it is free from defects or mechanisms that could interfere with its
proper operation or integrity.
(6)
Prior to disposal or re[]use, live game equipment containing storage media
shall be checked to ensure that any licensed software and other sensitive
information has been removed or securely overwritten, not just
deleted.
(7) Since the live game
wagering will be conducted by the online gaming operator and the conduct of the
live online casino games will flow through the electronic wagering platform,
all applicable technical standards in this section and section 12-865-13 of the
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies or technical standards established
pursuant to section 12-865-3(n) of the Regulations of Connecticut State
Agencies are applicable to live game equipment. The online gaming operator
shall adopt, implement, and maintain technical standards and controls that meet
or exceed those adopted in sections 12-865-13 and 12-865-15 of the Regulations
of Connecticut State Agencies and any other technical standards established
pursuant to section 12-865-3(n) of the Regulations of Connecticut State
Agencies. An online gaming operator shall amend the operator's internal
controls, as needed, to address the various aspects of live online casino
games.
(n) Online gaming
operators shall ensure that all relevant technical standards for live online
casino gaming are adopted, implemented, and maintained within their internal
controls and procedures.
(o)
Integration testing of live game equipment to all electronic wagering platforms
shall be performed by an independent test lab licensed by the department. The
online gaming operator shall provide the department with all integration
testing results.
(p) Online gaming
operators shall submit products that require approval to a licensed independent
test laboratory for testing to Connecticut's technical requirements. The
independent test lab shall provide the online gaming operator with the results
of testing and a certification letter upon completion of its evaluation. Live
game equipment shall be tested in accordance with the testing standards as set
forth in section 12-865-19 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and
any other technical standards established pursuant to section 12-865-3(n) of
the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Live game equipment to be tested
includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) Live dealer games.
(2) Live game systems.
(3) All live game equipment used in
conjunction with card, roulette, dice, and wheel games, such as automated card
readers, roulette wheels, and automated dice shakers and throwers, shall be
tested as part of the applicable game.
(4) Card shufflers.
(q) The online gaming operator shall submit
the certification letter received from the licensed independent testing
laboratory as a part of the application for product approval. Such application
shall be submitted to the department in a form and manner prescribed by the
commissioner.
(r) Consumables used
by online gaming operators providing live online casino games shall meet
minimum standards, specifications, and requirements prescribed the department.
General requirements for live game consumables include, but are not limited, to
all the following:
(1) Procedures shall be
implemented for tracking the inventory of consumables from receipt, through
storage, installation, use, retirement, and destruction. All consumables shall
have an associated audit trail showing which designated staff had access to the
consumables at any given time for any given operation.
(2) Inspections shall be performed on
consumables before they are placed in operation. Periodic random inspections
shall be performed on the consumables while in use, from disbursement to
retirement.
(3) Used consumables
shall be destroyed in a manner which prevents their accidental re[]use in live
online casino games, and which puts them permanently beyond use. Consumables
that are the subject of any investigation shall be retained until completion of
the investigation.
(4) Procedures
shall be in place to ensure consumables are stored in secure locations and are
properly accounted for and controlled.
(s) All playing cards utilized in the live
online casino games shall comply with all of the following specifications:
(1) Unless otherwise determined by the
department, all decks of cards shall be one complete standard deck of fifty-two
cards in four suits. The four suits shall be hearts, diamonds, clubs, and
spades. Each suit shall consist of all the following numerical cards:
(A) Two to ten.
(B) A jack.
(C) A queen.
(D) A king.
(E) An ace.
(2) The backs of each card in a deck shall be
identical and no card shall contain any marking, symbol, or design that will
enable an individual to know the identity of any element printed on the face of
the card or that will differentiate the back of that card from any other card
in the deck.
(3) All edges shall be
perfectly square with each side at a precise ninety degree angle to each
adjacent side of the card.
(4) The
radius of all four corners shall be exactly the same.
(5) Unless otherwise approved by the
department, the decks of cards utilized by the online gaming operator shall be
unique to the conduct of live online casino games in Connecticut and distinct
from other decks of cards utilized by the online gaming operator in other
jurisdictions including a reservation.
(6) All new card decks shall arrive at the
live game environment wrapped in cellophane, shrink wrap packaging, or with a
tamper[]resistant security seal.
(7) The card supplier's identification name
shall be placed on each box.
(t) Unless otherwise approved by the
department, all dice utilized by an online gaming operator shall comply with
all of the following specifications:
(1) Each
die shall be formed in the shape of a perfect cube and of a size no smaller
than 0.750 inches on each side nor larger than 0.775 inches on each
side.
(2) Unless otherwise approved
by the department, the dice utilized by the online gaming operator or online
gaming service provider shall be unique to the conduct of live online casino
games in Connecticut and distinct from other dice utilized by the online gaming
operator in other jurisdictions.
(3) Each die shall be transparent and made
exclusively of cellulose, except for the following:
(A) Spots.
(B) Name, trade name, or logo of the online
gaming operator.
(C) Serial number
or letters, or both.
(4)
The surface of each side of the die shall be perfectly flat and the spots
contained in each side of the die shall be perfectly flush with the area
surrounding the spots.
(5) The
edges and corners of each die shall be perfectly square and form ninety degree
angles with each adjacent side.
(6)
The texture and finish of each side shall be identical to the texture and
finish of all other sides.
(7) The
weight of each die shall be equally distributed throughout the cube, and no
side of the cube may be heavier or lighter than any other side of the
cube.
(8) Each die shall have six
sides bearing white circular spots from one to six, respectively, with the
diameter of each spot equal to the diameter of every other spot on the
die.
(9) Each die shall have spots
arranged so that all the following provisions are satisfied:
(A) The side containing one spot is directly
opposite the side containing six spots.
(B) The side containing two spots is directly
opposite the side containing five spots.
(C) The side containing three spots is
directly opposite the side containing four spots.
(10) Each spot shall be placed on the die by
drilling, or the equivalent, into the surface of the cube and filling the
drilled-out portion with a compound that is equal in weight to the weight of
the cellulose drilled out and that forms a permanent bond with the cellulose
cube.
(u) Each table
used for live online casino games shall contain a symbol imprinted on it that
clearly indicates that the online gaming operator is offering the game for play
in Connecticut.
(v) In connection
with approving game rules and live online casino game internal controls, the
department may prescribe specifications for any other consumable, the
requirements for which are not set forth in this section, that will be utilized
to conduct live online casino games. Such specifications may include the size,
weight, appearance and operation of such consumable in order to ensure the
integrity of gaming.
(w) Soft
launch procedures shall be conducted by the department for each new interactive
online game that an online gaming operator offers. The soft launch shall
provide an opportunity for the online gaming operator to demonstrate to the
department that live game staff are trained in the performance of their duties,
all systems perform as expected under the stress of live gaming, and
operational and revenue reporting internal controls and procedures are
effective.
(x) Prior to commencing a
soft launch, the online gaming operator shall:
(1) Schedule a site inspection with the
department to ensure adequate security and surveillance measures are in
place.
(2) Provide a URL and access
credentials for a production environment test account to include all live
online casino games offered in the live game environment.
(3) Schedule pre[]launch testing with the
department of all games to demonstrate performance of the games and that staff
are adequately trained in the performance of their duties.
(4) Provide the department with a list of the
live online casino games to be offered during soft launch and the schedule for
each game.
(5) Provide the
department with a list of personnel responsible for overseeing the soft launch.
The list shall identify the name or names of the individuals and the contact
information and area of responsibility for each individual.
(6) Provide read[]only remote access to the
electronic wagering platform or platforms and any additional live game systems
for designated department personnel.
(7) Provide the department with sample
reports of wins and losses by gaming date and month.
(8) Provide the department with a list of
games, software, hardware, equipment, and consumables to be utilized to conduct
live online casino games.
(9)
Provide the department with all manuals and additional documents for live game
equipment and other devices used to conduct live online casino games.
(10) Schedule an inspection of any remote
game server hardware not located in the live game environment.
(11) Obtain written approval from the
department to commence soft launch.
(y) During a soft launch, the online gaming
operator shall:
(1) Offer each live game type
for play for a minimum of three hours each day.
(2) Demonstrate opening, closing, card
shuffling, and consumable change procedures for each live game offered for play
during soft launch.
(3) Demonstrate
resolution of anomalous events and dealer mistakes in accordance with approved
internal controls and procedures.
(4) Demonstrate acceptable minimum latency
between the audio/video signal of each live online casino game and the user
interface to ensure the performance and integrity of games.
(5) Demonstrate that all live game activity
is properly recorded by simulcast control servers.
(6) Demonstrate performance of the tipping
functionality with the electronic wagering platforms, if applicable.
(7) Demonstrate performance of barcoded card
counting or reading machines and dice readers by conducting tests under
department observation.
(8)
Demonstrate performance of roulette wheels and balls by conducting tests under
department observation.
(9)
Demonstrate performance of dice shakers and throwers by conducting tests under
department observation.
(10)
Demonstrate that cards, dice, and other consumables meet specifications
established by the department by conducting tests under department
observation.
(11) Demonstrate that
the electronic wagering platform and live game system properly prevent past
posting.
(12) Demonstrate
knowledge, skills and abilities of staff assigned to monitor live game play
from a central control room.
(z) The online gaming operator operating live
online casino games shall provide the department with continual and
unrestricted access to the live gaming production environment, physical
location, and live game equipment and consumables for any reason the department
determines necessary to regulate, license, enforce, and audit the conduct of
live online casino games. This shall include, but is not limited to, access to
all live audio/video feeds required or otherwise implemented under this
section, and all entry and exit points.
(aa) Each online gaming operator that intends
to conduct live online casino games shall amend the operator's internal
controls to include live online casino games. The internal controls shall
ensure all the following, without limitation:
(1) All live online casino game security
issues, significant system failures, and incidents are responded to and
reported to the department within twenty-four hours.
(2) Any person is prevented from tampering
with or interfering with the operation of any live online casino games or live
game equipment.
(3) All live
interactive online games have been approved by the department prior to being
offered to any patron by an online gaming operator.
(4) Staff of the online gaming operator,
including game attendants:
(A) Attend and
receive adequate training to provide live online casino games in a fair and
honest manner according to documented procedures and game rules. Evidence of
initial training and periodic refresher training shall be maintained.
(B) Receive training on and reminders of any
physical behavior which is prohibited or mandated. The training received shall
be reinforced by supervisory staff.
(5) Shift rotations, shift patterns and staff
allocation are documented, including how game attendants are allocated to
tables or games (i.e., without prior knowledge of which tables or games they
will be serving and with their time[]on[]game set at a level to deter harmful
relationships being developed) and changes in game attendants during
exceptional circumstances.
(6)
Patrons who reject a table or a game and re[]apply for another within the same
game type on a consistent basis until they arrive at their preferred table or
game are reasonably detected and prevented from wagering.
(7) Records are maintained which allow staff
records to be audited and investigated if staff members are directly involved
in a chain of events or if their presence in a particular place or at a
particular time is crucial to understanding a chain of events.
(8) The hiring and termination of staff
follow defined processes and are properly documented.
(9) Supervisory employees are always present
when live online casino games are taking place.
(10) Staffing logs are maintained for each
table and game.
(11) Anomalous
events which may occur during live online casino games are documented and
understood by staff, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A) Specialized device or physical randomness
device malfunctions, including incorrect outcome detection.
(B) Dropped cards.
(C) Misdeals.
(D) Re[]spins.
(E) Aborted games.
(F) Table and game closures.
(12) Consistent card shuffling
procedures are in place, including a verification of the card count, frequency
of shuffling, and cases for reshuffling. The shuffling of cards shall be
logged.
(13) A single member of
staff would not be able to undertake all duties concerning game management and
there is adequate segregation of responsibilities prior to play, during play
and after play.
(14) Defined
procedures are in place to address patron disconnection or any video, voice, or
data stream disruptions during a live game and those procedures are readily
accessible and clearly communicated to all patrons.
(15) Wagers placed on live online casino
games follow defined procedures, including, but not limited to, all of the
following:
(A) When wagers are placed by
verbal instruction, the content of the wager is communicated back and
acknowledged by the patron before the wager is confirmed.
(B) When a game attendant is receiving wagers
indicated by the patron, a clear indication or notification if the wager has
been accepted or rejected (in full or in part) is provided to the
patron.
(C) The winning patron is
notified of the patron's win, including the amount won, after the completion of
the game and the patron's account balance is updated either immediately or once
the patron exits the game.
(16) Variations in the operation of card
shufflers and shoes, roulette wheels, dice shakers and throwers or other live
game equipment are incorporated into the game procedures to maintain
randomness. This equipment shall have a level of randomness consistent with
strict regulation provided in land[]based casinos to ensure the equipment's
fairness and integrity.
(17) Card
shoes and similar specialized devices and physical randomness devices are
tamperproof once they have been loaded to preclude interference prior to and
during play.
(18) Any specialized
devices and physical randomness devices are periodically inspected and tested
for reliability and integrity. Logs and records shall be maintained of all
inspections.
(19) Patrons are
informed when the manual operation mode of a specialized device is activated.
Any use of the manual operation mode shall be tracked for further
review.
(20) Specialized devices
and physical randomness devices which show an unacceptable level of errors are
identified and replaced.
(21) Game
logs and records which collate game events into statistics are generated,
reviewed, and analyzed for trends, irregularities, and errors relating to all
of the following:
(A) Game
performance.
(B) Staff or locations
in the live game environment, including supervisors.
(C) Shifts.
(D) Procedure violations.
(E) Other incidents.
(22) Live gaming is monitored to ensure that
all live online casino games are being conducted in accordance with internal
controls and procedures and in a fair and honest manner.
(23) Live gaming and all live online casino
game transactions are properly accounted for and recorded.
(24) Collusion between a patron and a dealer
is detected and prevented.
(25)
Change control processes, which include related release note reporting format
and processes, are adopted, implemented, and maintained in a manner approved by
the department.
(26) Live game
equipment and consumables are inspected before being placed in operation with
periodic random inspections performed thereafter.
(27) Past posting of wagers is
prevented.
(28) Tips, if allowed by
the online gaming service provider or the online gaming operator, are properly
processed and accounted for. Tipping procedures shall adequately mitigate the
risk of collusion between a patron and a dealer, which shall include, but is
not limited to, the pooling of all tips received.
(29) The rules of each live interactive
online game shall be submitted to the department for review and
approval.
(30) The online gaming
operator may only conduct live online casino games that are authorized under
the act and 12-865-15 and 12-865-18 of the Regulations of Connecticut State
Agencies and approved by the department.
(31) The department will review the listing
provided by the online gaming operator of all live game equipment and
consumable items that will be utilized in the conduct of live online casino
games, which includes the supplier or vendor for each item, to determine which
entities require an online gaming service provider license. The following are
generally considered internet gaming suppliers related to the conduct of live
online casino games:
(A) Online gaming
operators.
(B) Live game equipment
and game suppliers.
(C) Card, dice,
and other consumable suppliers.
(D)
Suppliers of card shufflers and shoes, automated card readers, and automated
dice shakers and throwers.
(E)
Roulette wheel suppliers (both automated and non[]automated).
(bb) The online gaming
operator shall provide an organizational chart of personnel with responsibility
over the conduct of live online casino games for the department to determine
which positions will require an occupational license. Occupational licenses are
generally required for dealers, security and surveillance personnel, and live
online casino game supervisors and management personnel.
