Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
(1) We
authorize the approved groups of amusement games set forth in this chapter.
Operators must only operate amusement games that meet the standards of at least
one of the authorized groups.
(2)
Commercial businesses or nonprofit or charitable organizations may apply for
licenses for amusement games.
(3)
Charitable or nonprofit organizations also may conduct group 1 through 11
amusement games without a license when authorized to do so under
RCW
9.46.0321 and
9.46.0331.
(4) Operators must operate amusement games as
either:
(a) An attended amusement game.
(i) An "attended amusement game" means an
amusement game that requires the presence or assistance of a person (attendant)
in the regular operation of the game; and
(ii) These games must award a merchandise
prize to players if players achieve the objective with one cost of play;
and
(iii) An attendant accepts
cash, check, tickets or scrip to play the amusement game. The tickets and scrip
are not redeemable for cash and must show the name of the operator or sponsor;
or
(b) A coin or token
activated amusement game.
(i) A "coin or
token activated amusement game" means an amusement game that uses a mechanical,
electronic, or electro-mechanical machine to allow the player to activate the
game by inserting coins, cash, tokens, or tokens on an electronic token card;
and
(ii) These games may dispense
merchandise prizes, or coupons, tickets, tokens, or tokens onto an electronic
token card redeemable for merchandise prizes; and
(iii) Coupons, tickets, tokens or tokens on
an electronic token card can be electronically stored for redemption under this
section as long as the coupons, tickets, tokens or tokens on an electronic
token card are:
(A) Deposited into, and
tracked on, a separate amusement game accounting system; and
(B) Not commingled with any tracking, reward,
or other gambling related redemption systems; and
(C) Redeemed only for merchandise
prizes.
(5) Amusement games must not:
(a) Award additional plays as prizes;
or
(b) Allow coupons, tickets,
tokens or tokens on electronic token cards that are awarded to be replayed;
or
(c) Result in any cash payment
being awarded.
(6)
Amusement games must only award merchandise prizes.
(a) Merchandise prizes mean noncash prizes
including toys, novelties, retail items such as electronic goods, clothing,
accessories, as well as food, beverages and other items sold by the operator as
a normal part of their business in compliance with all other state laws and
regulations, except as provided in (b) of this subsection.
(b) Pull-tabs and other gambling activities,
gift certificates or gift cards do not constitute merchandise prizes.
(7) Electronic token card means a
card issued by the operator that stores purchased credits available to play the
amusement game separate from the coupons, tickets, or tokens awarded or
dispensed as prizes from the play of the amusement game. Coupons, tickets, or
tokens awarded as prizes cannot be used to play amusement games and must only
be redeemed for merchandise prizes.
Statutory Authority:
RCW
9.46.070. 07-15-064 (Order 612), §
230-13-005, filed 7/16/07, effective
1/1/08.