Pennsylvania Code
Title 58 - RECREATION
Part VII - GAMING CONTROL BOARD
Subpart E - Slot Machine, Table Game and Associated Equipment Testing and Control; Accounting and Internal Controls
Chapter 461a - SLOT MACHINE, TABLE GAME DEVICE, INTERACTIVE GAME, SPORTS WAGERING DEVICE, VIDEO GAME TERMINAL, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT TESTING AND CONTROLS
Section 461a.4 - Submission for testing and approval
Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a) A slot machine, table game, table game device, interactive game, sports wagering device, video gaming terminal or all associated equipment identified in subsection (c) (collectively referred to as --products-- or --equipment, device or software--), or a modification thereto, may not be offered for sale, lease or distribution for ultimate use by a licensee in this Commonwealth unless a prototype identical in all mechanical, electrical, electronic and other respects has been tested by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations and approved by the Board-s Executive Director.
(b) When an applicant for, or holder of, a license develops software or a system that is functionally equivalent to any of the slot systems or table game systems enumerated in subsection (c), interactive game systems, sports wagering systems or video gaming terminal systems, that software or system shall be subject to the testing and approval process of this subpart to the same extent as if the software or system were developed by an applicant for, or holder of, a manufacturer license. Any reference in this subpart to the responsibilities of a manufacturer applies to an applicant for, or holder of, a license developing software or systems subject to testing and approval under this subpart.
(c) For the purposes of this section, slot machines, table games, table game devices, interactive games, sports wagering devices, video gaming terminals and all associated equipment that shall be submitted for testing and approval include:
(d) Slot machine prototypes, table game prototypes, table game device prototypes, interactive game and platform prototypes, sports wagering device prototypes, video gaming terminal prototypes, and all associated equipment prototypes, and modifications thereto, which are subject to testing and approval under this section will be evaluated by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations for overall operational integrity and compliance with the act, this subpart and technical standards adopted by the Board as published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board-s web site. In addition, with regard to any slot machine, fully automated electronic gaming table, electronic wagering terminal or modification thereto, the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations will test for compatibility and compliance with the central control computer and protocol specifications approved by the Department including the ability to communicate with the central control computer for the purpose of transmitting auditing program information, real time information retrieval and activation and disabling of slot machines, fully automated electronic gaming tables and electronic wagering terminals.
(e) The Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations may prescribe a standard product submission checklist, together with supplemental product specific submission checklists for completion by an applicant for, or holder of, a manufacturer license, to facilitate the examination and analysis of a prototype or modification.
(f) The Board may require the chief engineer of the applicant for, or holder of, a manufacturer license or the engineer in charge of the division of the manufacturer responsible for producing the product submitted to attest that the product was properly and completely tested by the manufacturer prior to its submission to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations.
(g) When an applicant for, or holder of, a manufacturer license to manufacture slot machines, table games, table game devices, interactive games, sports wagering devices, video gaming terminals and all associated equipment or a gaming related gaming service provider seeks Board approval of a slot machine prototype, table game prototype, table game device prototype, as described in subsection (c)(12), interactive game and platform prototypes, sports wagering device prototype, video gaming terminal prototype, associated equipment prototype, or any modification thereto, the manufacturer or gaming related gaming service provider shall submit to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations the following:
(h) At the conclusion of testing of a prototype or modification by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations, but prior to a decision to approve a prototype or modification, the Board-s Executive Director may require a trial period of scope and duration as he deems appropriate to assess the operation of the prototype or modification in a live gaming environment. The conduct of the trial period shall be subject to compliance by the licensed manufacturer, licensed manufacturer designee, applicable licensed suppliers, gaming related gaming service provider and the slot machine licensee with specific terms and conditions as may be required by the Board-s Executive Director, which may include development and implementation of product specific accounting and internal controls, periodic data reporting to the Board-s Executive Director and compliance with technical standards on trial periods or the prototype or modification adopted by the Board as published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board-s web site. The Board-s Executive Director may authorize the receipt of compensation by a licensed manufacturer, licensed manufacturer designee, licensed supplier or gaming related gaming service provider during the trial period. The Board-s Executive Director may order termination of the trial period if it determines that the licensed manufacturer, licensed manufacturer designee, applicable licensed suppliers, gaming related gaming service provider or the slot machine licensee conducting the trial period has not complied with the terms and conditions required by the Board-s Executive Director or that the product is not performing as expected.
(i) At the conclusion of testing of a prototype or modification or after review of the report provided by the registered private testing and certification facility, the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations will report to the Board-s Executive Director the results of its testing and the results from the private testing and certification facility, if applicable. Upon receipt of the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations- report, the Board-s Executive Director will either:
(j) The Board's Executive Director approval of a prototype or modification does not constitute a guarantee of the prototype's or modification's safety.
(k) A licensee is prohibited from installing in its licensed facility or otherwise offering for play equipment, device or software, or modification thereto, that is required to be tested unless the equipment, device or software has been approved by the Board-s Executive Director. A licensee may not modify, alter or tamper with an approved slot machine, table game, table game device, interactive game, sports wagering device, video gaming terminal or any associated equipment. Equipment, devices, or software installed in a licensed facility or otherwise offered for play in contravention of this requirement will be subject to seizure by the Board.
(l) Notwithstanding subsection (k), the Board-s Executive Director may authorize installation of a modification to a slot machine prototype, table game prototype, table game device prototype, interactive game or platform prototype, sports wagering device prototype, video gaming terminal prototype or any associated equipment prototype on an emergency basis to prevent cheating or malfunction, upon the written request of a licensed manufacturer. The request must expressly detail the name and employer of any persons to be involved in the installation of the modification and the manner in which it is to be effected. Within 15 days of receipt of any authorization to install an emergency modification, the manufacturer shall submit the modification for full testing and approval in accordance with this subpart.
(m) A licensee shall immediately notify the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations and the casino compliance representatives at the licensed facility, the Bureau of Gaming Operations for interactive gaming, the Office of Sports Wagering Operations, or the Bureau of Casino Compliance for video gaming of any known or suspected defect or malfunction in any slot machine, table game, table game device, interactive game, sports wagering device, video gaming terminal or any associated equipment installed in its licensed facility or on its interactive gaming web site or mobile application. The licensee shall comply with instructions issued by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations with regard to the continued operation of the slot machine, table game, table game device, interactive game, sports wagering device, video gaming terminal or any associated equipment.
(n) Concurrent with the initial receipt of slot machines, a slot machine licensee shall file a slot machine master list as required by § 463a.5 (relating to slot machine, electronic wagering terminal and fully automated electronic gaming table master lists).
(o) The testing of equipment, devices or software under this subpart may require the dismantling of the product and testing that may result in damage to, or destruction of, one or more systems or components. Once submitted for testing, equipment, devices or software will not be returned to the manufacturer.
(p) The Executive Director shall approve, approve with conditions, reject the submitted prototype or modification or require additional testing or a trial period under subsection (h) within 30 days of the complete submission of a slot machine, table game, table game device, interactive game, sports wagering device, video gaming terminal and all associated equipment by a manufacturer or gaming related gaming service provider that has been submitted to the Board for abbreviated certification with a testing report from a registered private testing and certification facility. The following apply:
(q) If the Executive Director fails to approve, approve with conditions, reject the submitted prototype or modification or require additional testing or a trial period under subsection (h) within 30 days of the completed submission a slot machine, table game device, interactive game, sports wagering device, video gaming terminal and all associated equipment submitted to the Board for abbreviated certification, the abbreviated certification shall be deemed conditionally approved until the Executive Director renders a decision under subsection (i).
(r) If a manufacturer or gaming related gaming service provider has provided a complete submission to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations for abbreviated certification but the review of the submission cannot feasibly be completed within 30 days, the manufacturer or gaming related gaming service provider will receive written notice tolling the review of the submission until a time as a review of the submission can be completed.
(s) If during the 30-day review period in subsection (p), the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations preliminarily determines that a complete submission of a slot machine, table game, interactive game, sports wagering device, video gaming terminal and all associated equipment contains an issue or insufficiency likely to negatively affect the integrity of gaming operations, the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations, by written notice to the manufacturer or gaming related gaming service provider, will do all of the following:
The provisions of this § 461a.4 amended under 4 Pa.C.S. §§ 1202, 1207, 1317.2, 1319, 1319.1, 1320, 1321, 1322 13A02(1), (2), (2.1), (4) and (6), 13A25(c), 13A41, 13A62(a) and 1517.
This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 461a.3 (relating to testing and approval generally); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.8 (relating to gaming vouchers); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.9 (relating to coupons utilized in slot machine gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.10 (relating to automated gaming vouchers and coupon redemption machines); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.12 (relating to progressive slot machines); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.14 (relating to slot machine, fully automated gaming tables and electronic wagering terminal monitoring systems); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.15 (relating to casino management systems); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.16 (relating to player tracking systems); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.17 (relating to external bonusing systems); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.18 (relating to cashless funds transfer systems); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.19 (relating to remote system access); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.20 (relating to server supported slot systems); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.21 (relating to server based slot systems); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.22 (relating to automated jackpot payout machines); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.23 (relating to slot machines and associated equipment utilizing alterable storage media); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.26 (relating to testing and software installation on the live gaming floor); 58 Pa. Code § 461b.5 (relating to remote computer access); 58 Pa. Code § 464a.2 (relating to conduct of a slot machine tournament); 58 Pa. Code § 645b.2 (relating to player-activated Pai Gow Poker; wagers based on the outcome of the dice); 58 Pa. Code § 601a.3 (relating to request to offer a new table game or new feature for an existing game); 58 Pa. Code § 601a.10 (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment); 58 Pa. Code § 603a.16 (relating to cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use); 58 Pa. Code § 603a.17 (relating to dealing shoes; automated card shuffling devices); 58 Pa.Code § 605a.2 (relating to electronic wagering systems); 58 Pa. Code § 605a.4 (relating to electronic gaming tables); 58 Pa. Code § 605a.7 (relating to progressive table games); 58 Pa. Code § 605a.8 (relating to linked progressive table games); 58 Pa. Code § 613a.7 (relating to requirements for use of a gaming related gaming service provider); 58 Pa. Code § 621a.2 (relating to Pai Gow table; Pai Gow shaker; physical characteristics); 58 Pa. Code § 625a.1 (relating to Sic Bo table; Sic Bo shaker; physical characteristics); 58 Pa. Code § 633a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 635a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 637a.7 (relating to Poker overview; general dealing procedures for all types of Poker); 58 Pa. Code § 639a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 641a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 643a.2 (relating to Let It Ride Poker table physical characteristics); 58 Pa. Code § 643a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 645a.2 (relating to Pai Gow Poker table; Pai Gow Poker shaker; physical characteristics); 58 Pa. Code § 645a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards); 58 Pa. Code § 645b.2 (relating to player-activated Pai Gow Poker; wagers based on the outcome of the dice); 58 Pa. Code § 647a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 649a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 651a.3 (relating to cards; number of decks; dealing shoe); 58 Pa. Code § 651a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 653a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 655a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 657a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 659a.2 (relating to Fortune Asia Poker table; shaker; physical characteristics); 58 Pa. Code § 659a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards); 58 Pa. Code § 663a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 665a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 669a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 670a.2 (relating to Six-Card Fortune Pai Gow Poker table; physical characteristics; shaker); 58 Pa. Code § 670a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards); 58 Pa. Code § 671a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 672a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 673a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 674a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 676a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 677a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 678a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 679a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 680a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 681a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 682a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 683a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 684a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 685a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 686a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 687a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 688a.2 (relating to Face Up Pai Gow Poker table; Pai Gow Poker Shaker; physical characteristics); 58 Pa. Code § 688a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards); 58 Pa. Code § 1112a.8 (relating to gaming vouchers); 58 Pa. Code § 1112a.13 (relating to video gaming terminals and associated equipment utilizing alterable storage media); and 58 Pa. Code § 1407a.3 (relating to testing and approval generally).