Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a)
A progressive slot machine may stand alone or be linked with other progressive
slot machines.
(b) Each slot
machine that offers a progressive jackpot must have:
(1) A progressive meter, visible from the
front of the slot machine, which may increase in value based upon wagers, that
advises the player of the amount which can be won if the player receives the
combination on the slot machine that awards the progressive jackpot.
(2) A slot machine paid progressive payout
meter in accordance with §
461a.7(g)
(relating to slot machine minimum design standards).
(3) A slot attendant paid progressive payout
meter in accordance with § 461a.7(g).
(4) A cumulative progressive payout meter
that continuously and automatically records the total value of progressive
jackpots paid directly by the slot machine or by a slot attendant.
(5) A key and key switch or other reset
mechanism to reset the progressive meter or meters.
(6) A key locking the compartment housing the
progressive meter or meters or other means by which to preclude any
unauthorized alterations to the progressive meters. The key or alternative
security method must be different than the key or reset mechanism in paragraph
(5).
(7) If the progressive
controller is not secured in a slot machine, the progressive controller:
(i) Must be maintained in a secure area
approved by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations.
(ii) Must be dual key controlled with one key
controlled by the slot operations department and the other key controlled by a
different designated department with no incompatible functions, as specified in
the licensee's internal controls.
(iii) May not be accessed until the Bureau of
Gaming Laboratory Operations is electronically notified.
(c) In addition to the
requirements in subsection (b), a slot machine that is connected to a common
progressive meter for the purpose of offering the same progressive jackpot on
two or more slot machines must:
(1) Have the
same probability of hitting the combination that will award the progressive
jackpot as every other slot machine linked to the common progressive
meter.
(2) Require that the same
amount in wager be invested to entitle the player to a chance at winning the
progressive jackpot and that each increase in wager increment the progressive
meter by the same rate of progression as every other slot machine linked to the
common progressive meter.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of
subsection (c), two or more linked slot machines offering the same progressive
jackpot may be of different denominations or have different wagers, or both,
required to win the progressive jackpot, provided that:
(1) The probability of winning the
progressive jackpot is directly proportional to the wager required to win that
jackpot.
(2) Notice indicating the
proportional probability of hitting the progressive jackpot on the linked
progressive system is conspicuously displayed on each linked slot
machine.
(e) A slot
machine licensee seeking to utilize a linked slot machine shall submit for
approval in accordance with §
461a.4 (relating to submission for
testing and approval) the location and manner of installing any progressive
meter display mechanism.
(f) A slot
machine that offers a progressive jackpot may not be placed on the gaming floor
until the slot machine licensee or, as applicable, the slot system operator,
has submitted the following to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations for
review and approval in accordance with § 461a.4:
(1) The initial and reset amounts at which
the progressive meter or meters will be set.
(2) The proposed system for controlling the
keys and applicable logical access controls to the slot machines.
(3) The proposed rate of progression for each
progressive jackpot.
(4) The
proposed limit for the progressive jackpot, if any.
(5) The calculated probability of winning
each progressive jackpot. The probability may not exceed 50 million to 1.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph does not apply to a jackpot with
a probability that may exceed 50 million to 1 during the game cycle due solely
to the intervening occurrence of free play awards between the activation of a
play and the award of the jackpot.
(g) A slot machine that offers either a new
progressive jackpot or undergoes a modification or RAM clear of an existing
progressive jackpot may not be made available for play by the public until the
slot machine has been tested and certified by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory
Operations. For purposes of this subsection, a modification includes any change
in the software, hardware, including controllers, and any associated equipment
that relates to progressive functionality.
(h) Progressive jackpot meters may not be
turned back to a lesser amount unless one of the following occurs:
(1) The amount indicated has been actually
paid to a winning patron and the progressive jackpot amount has been recorded
in accordance with a system of internal controls approved under §
465a.2 (relating to internal
control systems and audit protocols).
(2) With written approval, the progressive
jackpot has been transferred to another progressive slot machine or wide area
progressive system in accordance with subsection (k)(4).
(3) The change is necessitated by a slot
machine or meter malfunction. An explanation for the change shall be entered on
the progressive slot summary required under this subpart and the Bureau of
Gaming Laboratory Operations shall be notified of the resetting in
writing.
(i) Once an
amount appears on a progressive meter, the probability of hitting the
combination that will award the progressive jackpot may not be decreased unless
the progressive jackpot has been won by a patron, has been transferred to
another progressive slot machine or wide area progressive system or has been
removed in accordance with subsection (k).
(j) When a slot machine has a progressive
meter with digital limitations on the meter, the slot machine licensee shall
set a limit on the progressive jackpot not to exceed the display capability of
the progressive meter.
(k) A slot
machine licensee or, as applicable, a slot system operator, may limit, transfer
or terminate a progressive jackpot offered on a gaming floor only under the
following circumstances:
(1) A slot machine
licensee may establish a payout limit for a progressive jackpot provided that
the payout limit is greater than the then current payout amount on the
progressive jackpot meter. The slot machine licensee shall provide notice to
and receive written approval from the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations
prior to the imposition of a payout limit on a progressive meter or a
modification thereto.
(2) A slot
machine licensee may terminate a progressive jackpot concurrent with the
winning of the progressive jackpot provided its slot machine program or
progressive controller was configured prior to the winning of the progressive
jackpot to establish a fixed reset amount with no progressive
increment.
(3) A slot machine
licensee may immediately and permanently remove one or more linked slot
machines from a gaming floor, provided that:
(i) When the slot machine is part of a wide
area progressive system offered at multiple licensed facilities, the slot
machine licensee retains at least one linked slot machine offering the same
progressive jackpot on its gaming floor.
(ii) When the progressive jackpot is only
offered in a single licensed facility, at least two linked slot machines
offering the same progressive jackpot remain on the gaming floor.
(4) A slot machine licensee may
transfer a progressive jackpot amount on a stand alone slot machine or the
common progressive jackpot on an entire link of slot machines with a common
progressive meter, including a wide area progressive system, from a gaming
floor provided the slot machine licensee receives written approval from the
Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations prior to the transfer and the accrued
amount minus the seed amount of the progressive jackpot is:
(i) Transferred in its entirety.
(ii) Transferred to one of the following:
(A) The progressive meter for a slot machine
or wide area progressive system with the same or similar probability of winning
the progressive jackpot, the same or lower wager requirement to be eligible to
win the progressive jackpot, and the same type of progressive jackpot (cash,
annuity, annuity/cash option or a combination/alternate jackpot).
(B) The progressive meters of two separate
slot machines or wide area progressive systems, provided that each slot machine
or wide area progressive system to which the jackpot is transferred
individually satisfies the requirements of clause (A).
(iii) Notice of intent to transfer the
progressive jackpot is conspicuously displayed on the front of each slot
machine for at least 30 days.
(5) If a transfer cannot be made in
accordance with subsection (k)(4) or with good cause shown, a slot machine
licensee may remove progressive functionality, change the game theme or
permanently remove a stand alone progressive slot machine, an entire link of
slot machines with a common progressive jackpot or an entire wide area
progressive system from a gaming floor, provided:
(i) Notice of intent to remove the
progressive slot machines or wide area progressive systems is conspicuously
displayed on the front of each slot machine for at least 30 days.
(ii) Prior to posting the notice of intent
required under subsection (k)(5)(i), the slot machine licensee receives written
approval from the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations to remove the
progressive slot machines or wide area progressive systems.
(l) Progressive slot
machines and wide area progressive systems removed from the gaming floor in
accordance with subsection (k)(5) may not be returned to the gaming floor for
90 days.
(m) The amount indicated
on the progressive meter or meters and coin in meter on each slot machine
governed by subsection (b) shall be recorded on a progressive slot summary
report at least once every 7 calendar days and each report shall be signed by
the preparer. If not prepared by the finance department, the progressive slot
summary report shall be forwarded to the finance department by the end of the
gaming day on which it is prepared. A representative of the finance department
shall be responsible for calculating the correct amount that should appear on a
progressive meter. If an adjustment to the progressive meters is necessary, the
adjustment shall be made by a member of the slot operations department as
follows:
(1) Supporting documentation shall be
maintained to explain any addition or reduction in the registered amount on the
progressive meter. The documentation must include the date, asset number of the
slot machine, the amount of the adjustment and the signatures of the finance
department member requesting the adjustment and of the slot operations
department member making the adjustment.
(2) The adjustment must be effectuated within
48 hours of the meter reading.
(n) Except as otherwise authorized by this
section, a slot machine offering a progressive jackpot that is temporarily
removed from the gaming floor shall be returned to active play or replaced on
the gaming floor within 5 gaming days. The amount on the progressive meter or
meters on the returned or replacement slot machine may not be less than the
amount on the progressive meter or meters at the time of removal. This
subsection does not apply to the temporary removal by a slot machine licensee,
for a period not to exceed 30 days, of all linked slot machines that are part
of a particular wide area progressive system, provided that the progressive
jackpot offered by the temporarily removed slot machines remains available on
slot machines that are part of the same wide area progressive system in another
licensed facility.
(o) When a slot
machine is located adjacent to a slot machine offering a progressive jackpot,
the slot machine licensee shall conspicuously display a notice advising patrons
that the slot machine is not participating in the progressive jackpot of the
adjacent slot machine.
The provisions of this § 461a.12 amended under
4
Pa.C.S. §§
1202,
1207, 13A 02(1), (2) and
(4), 1320, 1322, 13A02(1)-(6), 13A25 and
1517.
This section cited in 58 Pa. Code §
810a.11 (relating to
controls).
