Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 3, March 20, 2024
A. This Section authorizes the use of
progressive EGDs among gaming operations licensed pursuant to the provisions of
R.S. 27:51 et
seq.,
R.S.
27:201 et seq., and
R.S. 27:351 et
seq., within one casino, provided that the EGDs meet the requirements stated in
this Chapter and any additional requirements imposed by the Act, rules, the
board, or the division.
B. Wide
area progressive games that link EGDs located in more than one casino shall be
approved by the board or division on a case-by-case basis.
C.
1. A
progressive jackpot may be won where certain pre-established conditions, which
do not have to be a winning combination, are satisfied.
2. A bonus game where certain circumstances
are required to be satisfied prior to awarding a fixed bonus prize, or a prize
that does not appear to increase with play, is not a progressive EGD and is not
subject to this Chapter.
D. Transferring of Progressive Jackpot Which
Is in Play
1. All transfers of progressive
jackpots require prior written authorization from the division.
2. A progressive jackpot which is currently
in play may be transferred to another progressive EGD in the casino in the
event of:
a. an EGD malfunction;
b. an EGD replacement; or
c. division approval of a transfer for any
other reason deemed appropriate to ensure compliance with this
Chapter.
3. The licensee
or casino operator shall distribute the incremental amount to another
progressive jackpot at the casino provided that:
a. the licensee or casino operator documents
the distribution;
b. any machine
offering the jackpot to which the licensee or casino operator distributes the
incremental amount does not require that more money be played on a single play
to win the jackpot than the machine from which the incremental amount is
distributed;
c. any machine
offering the jackpot to which the incremental amount is distributed complies
with the minimum theoretical payout requirement of §4203. A.2;
and
d. the distribution is
completed within 30 days after the progressive jackpot is removed from play or
within such longer period as the division may for good cause approve. The
division may approve a reduction, elimination, distribution, or procedure not
otherwise described in this Subsection, which approval is confirmed in writing;
and
e. the licensee or casino
operator preserves and maintains the records required by this
Section.
4. Unless
otherwise approved by the division, all progressive jackpot transfers shall be
prominently posted at or near the applicable EGD at least seven days in advance
of the requested transfer date.
5.
If the events set forth above do not occur, the progressive award shall be
permitted to remain until it is won by a player or transfer is approved by the
division.
E. Recording,
Keeping and Reconciliation of Jackpot Amount
1. The licensee and casino operator shall
maintain a record of the amount shown on a progressive jackpot meter on the
premises. The progressive jackpot meter information shall be read and
documented for each tier of the progressive jackpot, at a minimum, every 24
hours. Electronic meter information shall be recorded when a primary jackpot
occurs on an EGD.
2. Supporting
documents shall be maintained to explain any reduction in the payoff amount
from a previous entry.
3. The
licensee or casino operator shall confirm and document, on a quarterly basis,
that proper communication was maintained on each EGD linked to the progressive
controller during that time.
4. The
licensee or casino operator shall record the progressive liability on a daily
basis.
5. The licensee or casino
operator shall review, on a quarterly basis, the incremented rate and
reasonableness of the progressive liability by completing a communications
test, generating slot or progressive system documentation, or other method
approved by the division.
6. Each
licensee and casino operator shall formally adopt the manufacturer's division
approved internal controls for wide area progressive EGDs as part of the
licensee's or casino operator's internal controls.
F. The Progressive Meter
1. The EGD shall be linked to a progressive
meter or meters showing the current payoff to all individuals playing an EGD
who may potentially win the progressive amount. A meter that shows the amount
of the progressive jackpot shall be conspicuously displayed at or near the
machines to which the jackpot applies.
G. Consistent Odds on Linked EGDs
1. When two or more progressive gaming
devices are linked together, each device on the link shall have a probability
of winning the progressive award which is within 1 percent of every other
device on the same link. The probability shall be in proportion to the amount
wagered. The method of equalizing the expected probability of winning any
progressive award shall be conspicuously displayed on each device connected to
the system.
H. Operation
of Progressive Controller-Normal Mode
1.
During the normal operating mode of the progressive controller, the controller
or another attached approved component or system shall:
a. continuously monitor each EGD attached to
the controller to detect inserted coins or credits wagered; and
b. determine the correct amounts to apply to
the progressive jackpot.
2. The progressive display shall be
constantly updated as play on the link is continued. A slight delay in the
update is acceptable if the jackpot amount is shown immediately when a jackpot
is triggered.
I.
Operation of Progressive Controller-Jackpot Mode
1. When a progressive jackpot is recorded on
an EGD which is attached to the progressive controller or another attached
approved component or system, "progressive controller," the progressive
controller shall:
a. display the winning
amount; and
b. display the EGD
identification that caused the progressive meter to activate if more than one
EGD is attached to the controller.
2. The progressive controller is required to
send to the EGD the amount that was won. The EGD is required to update its
electronic meters to reflect the winning jackpot amount consistent with this
Chapter.
3. When more than one
progressive EGD is linked to the progressive controller, the progressive
controller shall automatically reset to the reset amount and continue normal
play. During this time, the progressive meter or another attached approved
component or system shall display:
a. the
identity of the EGD that caused the progressive meter to activate;
b. the winning progressive amount;
and
c. the new normal mode amount
that is current on the link.
4. A progressive EGD where a jackpot of
$500,000 or more is won shall automatically enter into a non-play mode which
prohibits additional play on the device after a primary jackpot has been won on
the device. Upon the conclusion of necessary inspections and tests as required
by the division, the device may be offered for play.
J. Alternating Displays
1. When the rules require multiple items of
information to be displayed on a progressive meter, it is sufficient to have
the information displayed in an alternating fashion.
K. Security of Progressive Controller
1. Each progressive controller linking two or
more progressive EGDs shall be housed in a double keyed compartment in a
location approved by the division. All keys shall be maintained in accordance
with Chapter 27 of these rules.
2.
Only employees approved by the division may have access to the progressive
controller.
L.
Progressive Controller
1. A progressive
controller entry authorization log shall be maintained within each controller.
The log shall be in a form prescribed by the division and completed by each
individual who gains entrance to the controller.
2. The progressive controller shall keep the
following information in nonvolatile memory which shall be displayed upon
demand:
a. the number of progressive jackpots
won on each progressive level if the progressive display has more than one
winning amount;
b. the cumulative
amounts paid on each progressive level if the progressive display has more than
one winning amount;
c. the maximum
amount of the progressive payout for each level displayed;
d. the minimum amount or reset amount of the
progressive payout for each level displayed; and
e. the rate of progression for each level
displayed.
M.
Limits on Jackpot of Progressive EGDs
1. A
licensee or casino operator may impose a limit on the jackpot of a progressive
EGD, if the limit imposed is greater than the possible maximum jackpot payout
on the EGD at the time the limit is imposed. The licensee and casino operator
shall inform the public with a prominently posted notice of progressive EGDs
and their limits.
N.
Reduction or Elimination of Progressive Jackpots
1. A licensee and casino operator shall not
reduce the amount displayed on a progressive jackpot meter or otherwise reduce
or eliminate a progressive jackpot unless:
a.
a player wins the jackpot;
b. the
licensee or casino operator adjusts the progressive jackpot meter to correct a
malfunction or to prevent the display of an amount greater than a limit imposed
pursuant to §4204. M and the licensee or casino operator documents the
adjustment and the reasons for it;
c. the licensee's or casino operator's gaming
operations at the establishment cease for any reason other than a temporary
closure where the same licensee or casino operator resumes gaming operations at
the same establishment within a month; or
d. the licensee or casino operator
distributes the incremental amount to another progressive jackpot at the
establishment and:
i. obtains prior written
authorization from the division;
ii. the licensee or casino operator documents
the distribution;
iii. any machine
offering the jackpot to which the licensee or casino operator distributes the
incremental amount does not require that more money be played on a single play
to win the jackpot than the machine from which the incremental amount is
distributed;
iv. any machine
offering the jackpot to which the incremental amount is distributed complies
with the minimum theoretical payout requirement of §4203. A.2;
and
v. the distribution is
completed within 30 days after the progressive jackpot is removed from play or
within such longer period as the division may for good cause approve. The
division may approve a reduction, elimination, distribution, or procedure not
otherwise described in this Subsection.
O. Individual Progressive EGD
Controls
1. Individual EGDs shall have a
minimum of seven electronic meters, including a coin-in meter, drop meter,
jackpot meter, win meter, hand paid jackpot meter, progressive hand paid
jackpot meter and a progressive meter.
P. Link Progressive EGD Controls
1. When a progressive jackpot is hit on a
machine in the group, all other machines shall be locked out. If an individual
progressive meter unit is visible from the front of the machine then the
progressive control unit shall lock out only the machine in the progressive
link that hit the jackpot and all other progressive meters in the group shall
show the current progressive jackpot amount.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
27:15 and 24.