Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1) Consistent with the principles outlined
in M.G.L. c. 23K, § 1 and M.GL. c. 23N, § 4 and in furtherance of the
Commission's broad superintendence powers established in M.G.L. c. 23K, §
1, M.G.L. c. 23K, § 4 and M.G.L. c. 23N, § 4, in an emergency
situation the Commission or the Bureau may, in furtherance of the provisions of
M.G.L. c. 23K, §§ 23(b) and 35 and M.G.L. c. 23N, §§ 4(g),
16(i) and 21(b), in its discretion, take any action it deems necessary to
preserve the health and safety of its employees, the gaming licensees, sports
wagering operators and their employees, or patrons. An emergency situation may
include, but not be limited to:
(a) A state of
emergency declared by the Governor of the Commonwealth pursuant to St. 1950, c.
639, § 5;
(b) A national
emergency declared by the President of the United States pursuant to
50 U.S.C.
1601
et seq.;
(c) A local, national, or global public
health emergency as declared by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health,
the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health
Organization, or a similarly situated local or national agency or organization
having expertise in public health;
(d) A natural disaster; or
(e) Any situation that presents an immediate
threat of serious physical harm to the health or well-being of the public that
requires action without delay.
(2)
During Such Emergency
Situation.
(a) The Bureau or the
Commission may issue an order to cease and desist activity pursuant to M.G.L.
c. 23K, § 35(a) or § 35(e) and M.G.L. c. 23N, §§ 4(g),
16(i) and 21(b) or an order of suspension of the gaming or sports wagering
operator license pursuant to M.G.L. c. 23K, § 35(e) and M.G.L. c. 23N,
§§ 4(g), 16(i) and 21(b), and may make recommendations to the
Commission to issue orders to condition, suspend, or revoke a gaming or sports
wagering operator license pursuant to M.G.L. c. 23K, § 35(d) and M.G.L. c.
23N, §§ 4(g), 16(i) and 21(b); or
(b) The Commission may issue orders and/or
establish procedures to be followed by the gaming licensees and sports wagering
operators as a condition of licensure pursuant to M.G.L c. 23K, §§
21(a)(19) and (c), M.G.L. c. 23N, §§ 4(a) and (b) and as a
requirement of its operations certificate pursuant to M.G.L. c. 23K, § 25
and M.G.L. c. 23N, § 5 that may include, but not be limited to, orders
regarding operations relative to gaming, non-gaming, sports wagering and
non-sports wagering activity at the gaming establishment, sports wagering
facility or sports wagering platform. The Commission may also issue orders that
include, but are not limited to, cessation of gaming, non-gaming, sports
wagering or non-sports wagering activities or closure of the gaming
establishments, sports wagering facility or sports wagering platforms in whole
or in part.
(3)
Hearings.
(a) If the
Bureau takes action pursuant to
205
CMR 109.01(1) and (2), and
M.G.L. c. 23K, § 35 and M.G.L. c. 23N, §§ 4(g), 16(i) and 21(B),
it may take such action immediately and, in the event of a closure of the
gaming establishment, sports wagering facility, or sports wagering platform
shall coordinate with the licensee to execute a safe and orderly closure. If
the Bureau issues an order to cease and desist activity pursuant to M.G.L. c.
23K, § 35(a) or § 35(e), M.G.L. c. 23N, §§ 4(g), 16(i) and
21(b) or an order of suspension of the gaming or sports wagering operator
license pursuant to M.G.L. c. 23K, § 35(e) or M.G.L. c. 23N, §§
4(g), 16(i) and 21(b), the licensee shall have the right to an adjudicatory
hearing before the Commission on such order in accordance with M.G.L. c. 30A.
Such hearing shall be convened as soon as practicable, but in no case later
than seven days from the date of the Bureau's action.
(b) If the Commission intends to take action
pursuant to
205
CMR 109.01(1) and (2),
M.G.L. c. 23K, § 23(b)(v) and M.G.L. c. 23N, §§ 16(i)(vi) and
21(b)(vi) that will limit or cease gaming, non-gaming, sports wagering and
non-sports wagering operations or result in closure of the gaming
establishment, sports wagering facility, or sports wagering platform in whole
or in part, it shall provide reasonable notice of hearing in accordance with
M.G.L. c. 30A. In the event of an emergency situation, notice shall be deemed
reasonable if it is provided as promptly as the emergency allows.