Code of Massachusetts Regulations
205 CMR - MASSACHUSETTS GAMING COMMISSION
Title 205 CMR 137.00 - Gaming schools
Section 137.02 - Curriculum

Universal Citation: 205 MA Code of Regs 205.137

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) A gaming school curriculum, which shall be subject to review by the commission, shall include the following:

(a) a brief description of each course that meets the minimum requirements provided in 205 CMR 137.02(2);

(b) the total number of instructional hours in each course consistent with the minimum requirements set forth in 205 CMR 137.02(4) and (5);

(c) the tuition charged for each program and course;

(d) the minimum entrance requirements;

(e) a description of the off-campus training experiences and the number of off-campus training hours required in each program and course;

(f) a list of occupations for which each program will prepare students;

(g) the estimated number of students anticipated to be enrolled in each course;

(h) The number of work stations in the school, including the number and type of gaming tables and equipment to be used;

(i) The nature of the skill and knowledge students are expected to have upon completion of the course or program and the testing program to be used to test the students' competency levels;

(j) The student-teacher, student-table, and table-teacher ratios for each course or program;

(k) A copy of all written material to be utilized in the course or program; and

(l) A description of the method and frequency by which the course will be evaluated in relation to its goals and objectives.

(2) Depending upon the nature of the course, a curriculum must include instruction on the following:

(a) Table Games. A curriculum for a course of instruction for a table game shall at a minimum include instruction in the following:
1.Rules and techniques of the game;

2.Basic industry standards for opening and closing tables for gaming, including the proper security procedures regarding table chip inventories;

3.Basic industry standards for distributing and removing gaming chips and plaques from gaming tables;

4.The proper use, control and shuffling of playing cards for authorized games that involve the use of cards;

5.The proper use and control of dice for authorized games that involve the use of dice;

6.The proper use and control of tiles for authorized games that involve the use of tiles:

7.Basic industry standards for accepting cash at gaming tables;

8.Basic industry standards for the acceptance of tips and gratuities from patrons;

9.Basic industry standards for shift changes at gaming tables;

10.Basic industry standards for the proper placement of wagers by patrons and the proper collection of losing wagers and payment of winning wagers;

11.Training in responsible gaming in accordance with 205 CMR 137.02(3); and

12.Training in cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

(b) Slot Machine Repair and Maintenance. A curriculum for a course of instruction in slot machine repair and maintenance shall at a minimum include the following:
1. Understanding the slot machine including modes of operation, basic electricity, digital circuitry, progressive units, electronics, power supplies, meters, peripheral devices including printing systems;

2. Testing, inspecting, and repairing slot machines;

3. Evaluation and diagnosis of slot machine validation systems;

4. CRT and LCD monitor assessment and repair;

5. Assessing and solving microprocessor, system routing and networking issues;

6. Understanding 205 CMR 143.00: Gaming Devices and Electronic Gaming Equipment,205 CMR 144.00: Approval of Slot Machines and Electronic Gaming Equipment and Testing Laboratories, and 205 CMR 145.00: Possession of Slot Machines;

7. Proper safety precautions;

8. Recording transaction information and maintaining records of maintenance and repair; and

9. Adjusting meters and replacing defective mechanical and electrical parts, using hand tools, soldering irons, and diagrams.

(c) Surveillance. A curriculum for a course of instruction in surveillance shall at a minimum include the following:
1. General role of the surveillance officer in the gaming industry;

2. Basic industry standards and procedures for surveillance officers;

3. Basic industry standards for emergency procedures relative to surveillance;

4. Overview of 205 CMR and other relevant law and regulations pertaining to surveillance;

5. Overview of general gaming establishment operations and employee actions;

6. Customer service procedures and protocols;

7. Business and security ethics and legal concepts;

8. Effective communication with the employees of the gaming establishment;

9. Evaluating information to determine compliance with standards and laws;

10. Identifying objects, actions, and events;

11. Managing emergency situations; and

12. Documenting/recording information.

(3) Training relative to responsible gaming shall be for minimum of 90 minutes in addition to the minimum training hours required in accordance with 205 CMR 137.02(4) and (5). A student need only complete the responsible gaming training once, even if the student elects to receive training on more than one game. The responsible gaming training shall address the following topics:

(a) Gambling in Massachusetts;

(b) Definition of problem gambling and gambling disorder, including how this has changed over time;

(c) Levels of gambling involvement;

(d) Identifying and responding to persons exhibiting problem gambling behaviors; and

(e) Responsible gambling strategies.

(4) Training Hours. A course of instruction shall provide the following minimum number of hours of training prior to completion of a course:

(a) 200 hours to deal craps.

(b) 150 hours to deal roulette.

(c) 130 hours to deal blackjack.

(d) 80 hours to deal baccarat.

(e) 200 hours to deal poker.

(f) 100 hours in slot machine maintenance or repair.

(g) For any course or program not listed in 205 CMR 137.02(4), the required minimum hours of training and instruction shall be determined by the commission or its designee on a case-by-case basis. The required minimum hours should be based on the number of hours necessary to ensure the student will possess the level of skill, experience, and knowledge necessary to perform the job.

(5) For a student being trained to deal a second or subsequent game, curriculum shall provide for the following number of hours of training prior to completion of a course:

(a) 120 hours to deal craps.

(b) 90 hours to deal roulette.

(c) 80 hours to deal blackjack.

(d) 50 hours to deal baccarat.

(e) 120 hours to deal poker.

(f) For any course or program not listed 205 CMR 137.02(5), the required minimum hours of training and instruction shall be determined by the commission or its designee on a case-by-case basis. The required minimum hours should be based on the number of hours the necessary to ensure the student will possess the level of skill, experience, and knowledge necessary to perform the job.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts 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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