Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1) When decks of cards are received for use
in the gaming establishment from the manufacturer or distributor thereof, at
least two individuals, one of whom shall be from the casino games department
and the other from the security department or accounting department, shall
record on an inventory log required in
205 CMR
146.46(2), the number of
decks received. The individuals shall place the decks of cards in a locked
cabinet in the cashiers' cage or within a primary or secondary storage area
located in the cashiers' cage or in another secure place approved by the
Bureau. Secondary storage areas shall be used for the storage of surplus decks
of cards. Decks of cards maintained in secondary storage areas shall not be
distributed to gaming pits or tables for use in gaming until the decks have
been moved to a primary storage area. A gaming licensee may have a separate
storage area approved by the Bureau for decks of cards to be used at the game
of poker.
(2) The gaming licensee
shall maintain an inventory log (manual or electronic) for each approved
storage area, to separately account for decks of cards packaged individually
and in sets of multiple decks in accordance with the gaming licensee's card
inventory system, which shall include the recordation of the following:
(a) The decks of cards received from the
vendor;
(b) The decks of cards
removed from storage;
(c) The decks
of cards returned to storage;
(d)
The date of receipt of, removal from, return to, or physical
inventory;
(e) The signatures of
the games, security and/or accounting department personnel participating in the
procedure;
(f) A reconciliation on
a daily basis of the decks of cards distributed, destroyed and cancelled,
returned to the storage area, in use on an open gaming table for more than 24
hours and, if any, in card reserve; and
(g) A physical inventory of the decks of
cards at least once every three months. This inventory shall be performed by an
individual with no incompatible functions and shall be verified to the balance
of decks of cards on hand as required in accordance with 205 CMR
146.49(1).
(h) Any discrepancies
shall immediately be reported to the Bureau.
(3) All primary, secondary, poker storage
areas, and pit stands used to store cards for more than one gaming day, other
than the cashiers' cage, shall have two separate locks. The security department
shall maintain one key and the games department or cashiers' cage shall
maintain the other key; provided, however, that no person employed by the games
department below the table games shift manager in the organizational hierarchy
shall have access to the games department key for the primary and secondary
storage areas and no person below the poker shift supervisor in the
organizational hierarchy shall have access to the games department key to the
poker storage area. Decks of cards stored in a cabinet within the cashiers'
cage shall be secured by a lock, the key to which shall be maintained by a
table games shift manager or supervisor thereof.
(4) When removing cards from the primary
storage area, a representative of the games department, in the presence of a
security officer, shall remove the appropriate number of decks of cards. The
representative of the games department may be the table games shift manager or
a supervisor thereof, or an employee of the games department who reports
directly to the shift manager, and shall be licensed as a gaming key employee
and shall have no direct supervisory responsibilities over the operation and
conduct of the table games in a pit during that gaming day. This individual
shall distribute sufficient decks to the table games supervisor and, if
applicable, to the poker shift supervisor. Decks of cards in the pit stand
shall be placed in a locked compartment, the keys to which shall be in the
possession of the table games supervisor or the poker shift supervisor or
supervisor thereof. If decks of cards are stored in the pit stand for more than
one gaming day, the pit stand shall be equipped with a second lock, the key to
which shall be maintained and controlled by the security department.
(a) If the decks are to be inspected at open
gaming tables pursuant to 205 CMR 146.49(6), the table games supervisor shall
distribute the decks to the dealer at each table or the poker shift supervisor
shall transport the decks to the poker pit stand for subsequent distribution to
the dealer at each poker table either directly or through the floorperson
assigned to supervise the dealer.
1. Prior to
distributing decks to each poker table, the poker shift supervisor or
floorperson shall examine each deck to determine if any replacement cards are
necessary pursuant to 205 CMR 146.49(6). If needed, the poker shift supervisor
or floorperson shall place the appropriate replacement cards into the deck from
the cards held in reserve at the pit stand. Upon insertion of the replacement
cards into the deck, the poker shift supervisor or floorperson shall re-examine
the front of each card and the back of each card to ensure a consistent shading
pattern and to ensure that the condition of the deck with the inclusion of the
replacement cards has sufficient quality in order to maintain the integrity of
gaming at poker.
2. If the
integrity of gaming at poker would in any way be compromised by the use of the
deck with the replacement cards, the entire deck of cards shall be placed in a
sealed envelope or container, identified with the date and time and shall be
signed by the poker shift supervisor. The poker shift supervisor shall maintain
the envelope or container in a secure place within the pit stand until
collection by a security officer.
(5) When removing cards from the poker
storage area, the poker shift supervisor or supervisor thereof and a casino
security officer shall, prior to the commencement of each gaming day and at
such other times as may be necessary, remove the appropriate number of decks
from the poker storage area and distribute the decks in accordance with the
provisions of 205 CMR 146.49(4)(a). The number of decks distributed shall
include extra decks that shall be placed in the pit stand for card reserve.
Decks of cards in the pit stand shall be placed in a locked compartment, the
keys to which shall be in the possession of the poker shift supervisor or
supervisor thereof. If decks of cards are stored in the pit stand for more than
one gaming day, the pit stand shall be equipped with a second lock, the key to
which shall be maintained and controlled by the security department.
(6) With the exception of cards which are
pre-inspected and pre-shuffled, each deck of cards shall be inspected by a
dealer and the inspection verified by a table games supervisor prior to the use
of the cards on a gaming table.
(a) Card
inspection at an open gaming table shall require each deck of cards to be
sorted into sequence and into suit and a visual inspection of the back of each
card. If, after inspecting the cards, the dealer finds that a card is
unsuitable for use or an extra card is found, the following procedures shall be
observed:
1. If a card is unsuitable for use:
a. A poker shift supervisor or games
supervisor shall bring a substitute card from the card reserve in the pit
stand;
b. The unsuitable card shall
be placed in a sealed envelope or container, identified by table number, date,
and time and shall be signed by the dealer and floorperson assigned to that
table; and
c. The poker shift
supervisor or games supervisor shall maintain the envelope or container in a
secure place within the pit until collection by a casino security officer;
or
2. If an extra card
is found:
a. The poker shift supervisor or
games supervisor shall place the extra card in a sealed envelope or container,
identified by table number, date and time and signed by the dealer and
floorperson assigned to that table; and
b. The poker shift supervisor or games
supervisor shall maintain the envelope or container in a secure place within
the pit until collection by a casino security officer.
(b) The envelopes or containers
and the method used to seal them shall be designed or constructed so that any
tampering shall be evident.
(7) Any cards which have been opened and
placed on a gaming table shall be changed at least every 24 hours.
Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(a) Except as
otherwise provided in 205 CMR 146.49(7)(e) for baccarat and in
205
CMR 146.18(c) for
mini-baccarat, cards opened for use on a baccarat, mini-baccarat, or fast
action Hold'em table shall be changed at least once during the gaming
day;
(b) Cards opened for use on a
pai gow poker, Caribbean stud poker, let it ride poker, Colorado Hold'em poker,
Boston 5 stud poker, double cross poker, four-card poker, Texas Hold'em bonus
poker, ultimate Texas Hold'em poker, two-card joker poker, flop poker, Asia
poker, winner's pot poker, supreme pai gow, Mississippi stud or three-card
poker table and dealt from a dealing shoe and cards opened for use on a double
down stud table and dealt from the hand shall be changed at least every eight
hours;
(c) Cards opened for use on
a pai gow poker, Caribbean stud poker, let it ride poker, Colorado Hold'em
poker, Boston 5 stud poker, double cross poker, four-card poker, Texas Hold'em
bonus poker, ultimate Texas Hold'em poker, flop poker, two-card joker poker,
Asia poker, winner's pot poker, supreme pai gow, Mississippi stud or three-card
poker table and dealt from the dealer's hand shall be changed at least every
four hours;
(d) Cards opened for
use on a baccarat table using the alternative dealing procedure shall be
changed after each shoe;
(e) Cards
opened for use on a poker table shall be changed at least every six hours; and
(f) Cards opened for use on a
blackjack, Spanish 21 or double attack blackjack table, or on a mini-baccarat
table using the alternative dealing procedures of a continuous shuffling shoe
or device as set forth in the authorized Rules of the Game of Mini-baccarat,
may be used for no more than 48 hours if the following requirements are
satisfied:
1. The gaming table shall remain
open for gaming during the entire period of card usage;
2. At least six decks of cards shall be used
to play the game; and
3. A table
games shift manager shall identify for the surveillance department those gaming
tables at which cards are in use for the extended
period.
(8)
Cards damaged during course of play shall be replaced by the dealer who shall
request a floorperson or supervisor thereof for the game of poker or casino
supervisor for all other games to bring cards in substitution from the pit
stand.
(a) The damaged cards shall be placed
in a sealed envelope, identified by table number, date and time and shall be
signed by the dealer and the individual who brought the replacement card to the
table.
(b) The poker shift
supervisor or casino supervisor shall maintain the envelopes or containers in a
secure place within the pit until collection by a casino security
officer.
(9) At the end
of each gaming day or, in the alternative, at least once each gaming day at the
same time each day, as designated by the gaming licensee, or at the end of the
extended period pursuant to 205 CMR 146.49(7)(g), and at such other times as
may be necessary, the floorperson or supervisor thereof for the game of poker
or casino supervisor for all other games shall collect all used cards required
to be removed from play.
(a) These cards shall
be placed in a sealed envelope or container. A label shall be attached to each
envelope or container which shall identify the table number, date and time and
shall be signed by the dealer and floorperson assigned to the table.
(b) The poker shift supervisor or casino
supervisor shall maintain the envelopes or containers in a secure place within
the pit until collection by a casino security officer.
(10) The gaming licensee shall remove any
cards at any time during the day if there is any indication of tampering,
flaws, scratches, marks or other defects that might affect the integrity or
fairness of the game, or at the request of the Bureau.
(11) Except for decks that have been
pre-shuffled and pre-inspected in accordance with
205 CMR
146.50, all extra decks or packaged sets of
multiple decks in card reserve with broken seals shall be placed in a sealed
envelope or container, with a label attached to each envelope or container that
contains the number of decks or packaged sets of multiple decks, as applicable,
included therein, the date and time and the signature of the floorperson or
supervisor thereof for poker and the pit boss for all other games.
(12) At the end of each gaming day or, in the
alternative, at least once each gaming day at the same time each day, as
designated by the gaming licensee, and at such other times as may be necessary,
a security officer shall collect and sign all envelopes or containers with
damaged cards, cards required to be removed that gaming day, and all extra
decks in card reserve with broken seals, except those that have been
pre-shuffled and pre-inspected in accordance with
205 CMR
146.50, and shall return the envelopes or
containers to the security department.
(13) At the end of each gaming day or, in the
alternative, at least once each gaming day at the same time each day, as
designated by the gaming licensee, and at such other times as may be necessary,
a table games shift manager or games supervisor thereof may collect all extra
decks in card reserve. If the gaming licensee maintains a separate storage area
for poker cards, a poker shift supervisor or supervisor thereof may collect all
extra decks in card reserve for the game of poker. If collected, all sealed
decks shall either be cancelled or destroyed or returned to the storage
area.
(14) When the envelopes or
containers of used cards and reserve cards with broken seals are returned to
the casino security department, they shall be inspected for tampering, marks,
alterations, missing or additional cards or anything that might indicate unfair
play.
(a) For cards used in blackjack,
Spanish 21, double attack blackjack, double cross poker, red dog, casino war,
fast action hold'em, or mini-baccarat using the dealing procedures in the
authorized Rules of the Game, the gaming licensee shall cause to be inspected
either:
1. All decks used during the day;
or
2. A sample of decks selected at
random or in accordance with an approved stratification plan, provided that the
procedures for selecting the sample size and for assuring a proper selection of
the sample are submitted to and approved by the Bureau. This sample shall be
collected, stored and inspected separately from the sample required by 205 CMR
146.49(14)(b), and shall not be commingled with any cards from that sample.
(b) For cards used in
baccarat, or cards used in mini-baccarat using the dealing procedures in the
authorized Rules of the Game, the gaming licensee shall cause to be inspected
all decks used during the day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any decks
that are opened for a single use in a shoe (the cards are not reshuffled for a
subsequent use and are removed from the table), a gaming licensee may cause to
be inspected a sample of decks selected at random or in accordance with an
approved stratification plan, provided that the procedures for selecting the
sample size and for assuring a proper selection of the sample are submitted to
and approved by the Bureau.
(c) The
gaming licensee shall also inspect:
1. Any
cards which the Bureau requests the gaming licensee to remove for the purpose
of inspection;
2. Any cards the
gaming licensee removed for indication of tampering;
3. All cards used for pai gow poker,
Caribbean stud poker, let it ride poker, Colorado Hold'em poker, Boston 5 stud
poker, double cross poker, four-card poker, Texas Hold'em bonus poker, ultimate
Texas Hold'em poker, flop poker, two-card joker poker, Asia poker, winner's pot
poker, supreme pai gow, Mississippi stud or three-card poker; and
4. All cards used for
poker.
(d) The procedures
for inspecting all decks required to be inspected under 205 CMR 146.49(14)(d)
shall, at a minimum, include:
1. The sorting
of cards sequentially by suit or utilizing a machine approved by the Bureau
capable of reading the cards to determine whether any deck contains missing or
additional cards;
2. The inspection
of the backs with an ultra-violet light;
3. The inspection of the sides of the cards
for crimps, bends, cuts and shaving; and
4. The inspection of the front and back of
all plastic cards for consistent shading and coloring.
(e) If, during the inspection procedures
required in 205 CMR 146.49 one or more plastic cards in a deck are determined
to be unsuitable for continued use, those cards shall be placed in a sealed
envelope or container and a two-part Card Discrepancy Report shall be completed
in accordance with 205 CMR 146.49(14)(j).
(f) Upon completion of the inspection
procedures required by 205 CMR 146.49, each deck of plastic cards which is
determined suitable for continued use shall be placed in sequential order,
repackaged and returned to the primary or poker storage area for subsequent
use. If a deck has any missing cards, the individual who repackages the cards
shall indicate the need for the appropriate replacement card(s) in a manner
documented in the gaming licensee's internal control procedures.
(g) The gaming licensee shall develop
internal control procedures for returning the repackaged cards to the storage
area.
(h) The individuals
performing said inspection shall complete a work order form which shall detail
the procedures performed and list the tables from which the cards were removed
and the results of the inspection. The individual shall sign the form upon
completion of the inspection procedures.
(i) The gaming licensee shall submit the
training procedures for those employees performing the inspection to the
Bureau.
(j) Evidence of tampering,
marks, alterations, missing or additional cards or anything that might indicate
unfair play discovered at this time, or at any other time, shall be immediately
reported to the Bureau by the completion and delivery of a two-part Card
Discrepancy Report.
(k) At the end
of each gaming day or at such other times as may be necessary, the gaming
supervisor identified in 205 CMR 146.49(13) shall visually inspect each card
for evidence of tampering. Such evidence discovered at this time or at any
other time shall be immediately reported to the security department and the
Bureau. A security department member shall complete a two-part Discrepancy
Report, which Report along with the evidence shall be retrieved by an agent of
the Bureau. The original and duplicate Report shall contain, at a minimum:
1. The date and shift of
inspection;
2. The name of the
supervisor conducting the inspection. The inspection required by 205 CMR
146.49(14)(k) shall be performed by a games supervisor other than the one who
originally inspected the cards;
3.
The pit number, table number, and type of game;
4. A description (for example, cut
corners);
5. The signature of the
supervisor conducting the inspection;
6. The signature of the security
representative taking custody of the card; and
7. The signature of the agent of the Bureau
inspecting or accepting the card, who shall retain the original and return the
duplicate to security. A receipt shall be issued to the agent of the Bureau for
any card retained by the Bureau. The receipt shall be signed the by the
security representative releasing the card to the Bureau and the agent of the
Bureau accepting the card. The receipt shall be retained with the Security copy
of the Discrepancy Report. Any card not retained by the Bureau shall be
destroyed in accordance with the licensee's destruction procedures. The report
shall accompany the cards.
(l) Notwithstanding any provision in 205 CMR
146.49(14)(l) to the contrary, for cards used:
1. In any authorized game or variation
thereof which permits a player to touch them, the gaming licensee shall cause
to be inspected all decks used during the day; and
2. At any gaming table for more than 24 hours
pursuant to 205 CMR 146.49(7)(g), the gaming licensee shall cause to be
inspected a sample of decks that is separate from the sample of decks selected
pursuant to 205 CMR 146.49(14)(a)2., provided that the procedures for selecting
the sample size and for assuring a proper stratification of the sample shall be
submitted to and approved by the Bureau.
(15) If a deck of plastic cards has been
reused 12 or more times and the deck has been determined to be suitable for
reuse by the individual performing the inspection procedures required by 205
CMR 146.49(14)(c), before that deck may be reused at a poker table, the deck
must be inspected by a poker shift supervisor or floorperson. A satisfactory
inspection shall be documented by the poker shift supervisor or floorperson. If
the poker shift supervisor or floorperson determines that the deck may not be
reused, the deck shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container, with a
label attached which identifies the date and time and shall be signed by the
poker shift supervisor or floorperson. At the end of the gaming day or at such
other times as may be necessary, said envelope or container shall be collected
by a casino security officer and be returned to the casino security department
for destruction or cancellation pursuant to 205 CMR 146.49(16).
(16) Where cards in an envelope or container
are inspected and found to be without any indication of tampering, marks,
alterations, missing or additional cards or anything that might indicate unfair
play, those cards with the exception of plastic cards used at poker that are of
sufficient quality for reuse, shall within 72 hours of collection be destroyed
or cancelled. In addition, once cards retained as evidence by the Bureau are
released to the security department, the cards shall immediately be destroyed
or cancelled.
(a) Destruction and
cancellation of cards shall take place in a secure place, the location and
physical characteristics of which shall be approved by the Bureau. The adequacy
of the destruction and cancellation process shall be approved by the
Bureau.
(b) Destruction of cards
shall be by shredding by the security department or a vendor approved by the
Bureau.
(c) Cancellation of cards
shall be by drilling a circular hole of at least 1/4 of an inch in
diameter through the center of each card in the deck.
(d) Documentation supporting the actual
destruction and/or cancellation of the cards shall be prepared by the casino
security department or vendor performing the process. At a minimum, such
documentation shall include:
1. The date and
time that the cards were destroyed;
2. The name and signature of the
individual(s) who performed the destruction/cancellation process;
3. The amount of cards that were destroyed or
cancelled; and
4. The signature of
the representative of the games department attesting to the number of cards
(decks of cards) destroyed when the procedure is performed at the
casino.
