PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD
[58 PA. CODE CH. 461a]
Technical Standards; Slot Machines
[36 Pa.B. 3442]
[Saturday, July 1, 2006]This statement of policy applies to manufacturer applicants and licensees and slot machine applicants and licensees.
Purpose
The purpose of this statement of policy is to provide guidelines for the technical standards for use by manufacturer applicants and licensees and slot machine applicants and licensees in slot machine design, slot machine tower lights and error conditions, the use of gaming vouchers by licensed facilities, wide area progressive systems at licensed facilities and the use of remote computer access to slot machines at licensed facilities. This statement of policy supplements the regulations in Chapter 461 (relating to slot machine testing and certification requriements).
Scope
This statement of policy applies to manufacturer applicants or licensees and slot machine applicants and licensees.
Authority
This statement of policy is adopted under the authority of 4 Pa.C.S. Part II (relating to gaming).
Background
This statement of policy is necessary to establish and provide notice of the technical standards approved by the Board under Chapter 461.
Fiscal Impact
This statement of policy will have no appreciable fiscal impact upon the Commonwealth.
Contact Person
Further information is available by contacting the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, P. O. Box 69060, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9060.
Effective Date
This statement of policy will take effect upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
THOMAS A. DECKER,
Chairperson(Editor's Note: Title 58 of the Pa. Code is amended by adding a statement of policy in §§ 461a.1--461a.5 to read as set forth in Annex A.)
Fiscal Note: 125-33. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
Annex A
TITLE 58. RECREATION
PART VII. GAMING CONTROL BOARD
Subpart E. SLOT MACHINE TESTING, APPROVAL AND CONTROL
CHAPTER 461a. TECHNICAL STANDARDS--STATEMENT OF POLICY Sec.
461a.1. Slot machine minimum design standards. 461a.2. Slot machine tower lights and error conditions. 461a.3. Gaming vouchers. 461a.4. Wide area progressive systems. 461a.5. Remote computer access. § 461a.1. Slot machine minimum design standards.
(a) Slot machine volatility shall be calculated based on a 95% confidence interval. Volatility calculations must utilize the following when calculating the lowest payout percentage available for each slot machine game:
(1) The aggregate variance is the sum of the probability of every winning combination multiplied by the square of the corresponding payout.
(2) The standard deviation is the square root of the difference between the aggregate variance of paragraph (1) and the square of the lowest payout percentage.
(3) The volatility index is 1.96 multiplied by the standard deviation calculated in paragraph (2).
(4) The approach percentage is the difference between the lowest payout percentage and 84.999%.
(5) The volatility, calculated as the number of plays to equal or exceed the minimum payout requirement of 85%, is the square of the quotient obtained when the volatility index found in paragraph (3) is divided by the approach percentage found in paragraph (4).
(6) The volatility calculated in paragraph (5) may not exceed 10,000 plays.
(b) Each slot machine approved for use in a licensed facility must be configured to wager credits available for play in the following order:
(1) Noncashable credits.
(2) Cashable credits.
§ 461a.2. Slot machine tower lights and error conditions.
(a) Unless otherwise authorized by the Board, each slot machine must have a tower light located on top of the slot machine cabinet. The tower light must be used to identify the slot machine's default denomination and the operational status of the slot machine and any device connected thereto that may affect the operation of the slot machine. The slot machine tower light must be visible to the player of the slot machine and to the surveillance department from all sides of the slot machine cabinet, unless the slot machine cabinet is against a wall or is in another location approved by the Board that results in the partial obstruction of the tower light.
(b) A slot machine tower light must consist of two separate lights, one on top of the other, that function in accordance with this section.
(1) At any point in time, each of the two lights may be in one of five states as follows:
(i) ''Off'' means the light is off.
(ii) ''On'' means the light is on continually.
(iii) ''Slow flash'' means the light is flashing regularly at a 500 millisecond interval.
(iv) ''Medium flash'' means the light is flashing regularly at a 250 millisecond interval.
(v) ''Fast flash'' means the light is flashing regularly at a 125 millisecond interval.
(2) The top light of the two lights must be white. The color of the bottom light must indicate the default denomination of the slot machine to which it is attached:
(i) Red means a dime denomination slot machine or any denomination below a dime.
(ii) Yellow means a quarter denomination slot machine.
(iii) Orange means a half-dollar denomination slot machine.
(iv) Blue means $1 denomination slot machine.
(v) Pink means a $2 denomination slot machine.
(vi) Green means a $5 denomination slot machine.
(vii) Purple means a $20 or higher denomination slot machine.
(c) For the purposes of this subsection, there shall be three separate methods by which a slot machine is placed in an unplayable state.
(1) ''Administrative mode'' means that a member of the slot operations department has placed the slot machine in an unplayable state to access the set up or recall functions of the slot machine.
(2) ''Disabled mode'' means that a member of the slot operations department or the slot machine licensee's slot monitoring system has placed the slot machine in an unplayable state for any reason other than those included in administrative mode.
(3) ''Tilt mode'' means that the slot machine placed itself in an unplayable state due to malfunction or error condition and the slot machine cannot be returned to a playable state without intervention by a member of the slot operations department.
(d) Each of the following combinations of light states must be displayed by a slot machine tower light to indicate the corresponding slot machine operating condition:
(1) White light off with colored light:
(i) Off means that the slot machine is idle and the slot machine door is closed.
(ii) Medium flash means the slot machine is idle and the slot machine door is open.
(iii) Fast flash means the slot machine is idle and the drop compartment door is open.
(2) White light on with colored light:
(i) Off means a patron is requesting change and the slot machine door is closed.
(ii) On means that the slot machine is in disabled mode.
(iii) Medium flash means either:
(A) A patron is requesting change and the slot machine door is open.
(B) The slot machine is in disabled mode and the slot machine door is open.
(iv) Fast flash means the slot machine is in disabled mode and the drop compartment door is open.
(3) White light slow flash with colored light:
(i) Off means that the slot machine is in tilt mode and the slot machine door is closed.
(ii) Slow flash means either:
(A) The slot machine is displaying a hand-paid jackpot combination and the slot machine door is closed.
(B) The slot machine is displaying a hand-paid jackpot combination while in tilt mode and the slot machine door is closed.
(iii) Medium flash means either:
(A) The slot machine is displaying a hand-paid jackpot combination and the slot machine door is open.
(B) The slot machine is in tilt mode and the slot machine door is open.
(iv) Fast flash means the slot machine is in tilt mode and the drop compartment door is open.
(4) White light fast flash with colored light:
(i) Off means the slot machine is in administrative mode and the slot machine door is closed.
(ii) Medium flash means the slot machine is in administrative mode and the slot machine door is open.
(iii) Fast flash means the slot machine is in administrative mode and the drop compartment door is open.
(e) Any combination of light states capable of display by a slot machine tower light that is not assigned a particular slot machine operating condition by subsection (d) may be used by the slot machine licensee for its own internal signals. However, the slot machine licensee shall be required to conform the light states displayed by its slot machine tower lights to any amendments or modifications in the Board's approved technical standards.
(f) A slot machine must detect, display by means of a tower light or other device and the slot machine must communicate to a slot monitoring system the error conditions in paragraphs (1)--(3) in both idle state and during game play. These error conditions may be automatically cleared by the slot machine upon completion of a new play sequence.
(1) Power reset.
(2) Door open.
(3) Door just closed.
(g) A slot machine must detect, display by means of tower light or other device and the slot machine must communicate to a slot monitoring system the error conditions in paragraphs (1)--(8) in both idle state and during game play. These error conditions must disable the slot machine and prevent game play and may only be cleared by a slot attendant.
(1) Low RAM battery.
(2) Printer failure.
(3) Printer mechanism paper jam. A paper jam condition must be monitored at all times during the print process.
(4) Presentation error.
(5) Program error or defective program storage media.
(6) Reel spin error of any type. The specific reel number must be identified. If a tilt occurs while the reels are spinning, the slot machine must spin the reels at a slow speed.
(7) Removal of control program storage media.
(8) Uncorrectable RAM error, either RAM defective or corrupted.
(h) A slot machine must detect, display by means of tower light or other device and the slot machine must communicate to a slot monitoring system the error conditions in paragraphs (1) and (2) in both idle state and during game play. These error conditions need not disable the slot machine and game play may continue if an alternative method is available to complete the transaction or the condition does not prohibit the transaction from being completed. These error conditions may only be cleared by a slot attendant.
(1) Printer mechanism paper level is low.
(2) Printer mechanism out of paper. a slot attendant.
(i) A description of the slot machine error code corresponding to each error condition must be affixed inside each slot machine unless the displayed slot machine error code is self-explanatory.
(j) The Board may waive one or more of the technical standards applicable to tower lights and error conditions adopted by the Board upon a determination that the nonconforming communication methodology nonetheless meets the operational integrity requirements of the act, this part and any technical standards adopted by the Board.
§ 461a.3. Gaming vouchers.
(a) A gaming voucher must expire in not less than 180 from the date of issuance.
(b) Each gaming voucher must be designed and manufactured with sufficient graphics or other security measures, to permit, to the greatest extent possible, the proper verification of the voucher. Notwithstanding the forgoing, each gaming voucher must contain the following information:
(1) The name or trade name of the slot machine licensee, and if the slot machine licensee is affiliated with a casino licensee in any other jurisdiction with an identical or similar name or trade name, the name of the Pennsylvania location must be evident on the voucher.
(2) The date and time of issuance.
(3) The value of the voucher, in both numbers and words.
(4) A unique serial number, which is automatically generated by the system in accordance with this part and technical standards adopted by the Board.
(5) The asset number of the slot machine dispensing the voucher.
(6) At least one anticounterfeiting measure, which appears on one or both sides of the voucher.
(7) The locations where the voucher may be redeemed and any restriction regarding redemption.
(8) A bar code or magnetic strip which enables the system to identify the numeric information in paragraphs (1)--(5) when the voucher is subsequently presented for redemption.
(c) A gaming voucher system may not be configured to issue a gaming voucher exceeding $10,000.
(d) Any system of internal controls over the issuance and redemption of gaming vouchers must provide for the following:
(1) Upon the presentation of a gaming voucher for redemption, the slot cashier or slot machine shall use the gaming voucher system to verify the validity of the serial number and value of the voucher, and if valid, the system must immediately cancel the voucher electronically and permit the redemption of the voucher for the value printed thereon. Prior to the redemption of a gaming voucher, the complete serial number of the unredeemed gaming voucher must only be available to the system.
(2) The slot machine licensee shall maintain a record of all transactions in the gaming voucher system for at least 210 days from the date of the transaction.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the slot machine licensee shall maintain an unredeemed gaming voucher record containing the information required in subsection (b)(1)--(5), for gaming vouchers that were issued but not redeemed prior to expiration. The record shall be stored in the system for a period of time approved by the Board, which must be at least 1 year from the date of issuance of the gaming voucher, provided that:
(i) Any unredeemed gaming voucher record removed from the system after 1 year shall be stored and controlled in a manner approved by the Board.
(ii) Any unredeemed gaming voucher record removed from the system is subject to the standard record retention provisions of this part.
(e) Each gaming voucher system must perform the following functions to control logical access to the system:
(1) Generate daily monitoring logs of user access, security incidents and unusual transactions, and immediately notify the information technology department of critical security incidents and unusual transactions.
(2) Be capable of assigning rights and privileges to each user, including:
(i) The secure administration of a unique system account for each user to provide an adequate segregation of duties.
(ii) Adequate password parameters such as lockout, minimum length and expiration interval.
(3) Use appropriate access permissions to restrict unauthorized users from viewing, changing or deleting critical files and directories.
(4) Utilize encryption for files and directories containing critical or sensitive data, which must include the unredeemed gaming voucher record. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in lieu of utilizing encryption for files and directories containing critical or sensitive data, the slot machine licensee shall design and implement internal controls to restrict users from viewing the contents of such files and directories, which internal controls shall provide for the following:
(i) The effective segregation of duties and responsibilities with regard to the system in the information technology department.
(ii) The automatic monitoring and recording by the system of access by any person to the files and directories.
(f) Each gaming voucher system must perform the following functions to control system operations:
(1) Generate daily monitoring logs and alert messages for system performance, hardware problems and software errors.
(2) Authenticate the identity of a slot machine or other redemption location from which a transmission of data is received.
(3) Ensure that all data sent through a transmission is completely and accurately received.
(4) Detect the presence of corrupt or lost data packets and, as necessary, reject the transmission.
(5) Utilize an appropriate cryptographic system for critical transmissions of data, such as:
(i) Transmissions that include a gaming voucher serial number.
(ii) Slot machine meter information.
(iii) Other information used in the calculation or verification of gross revenue.
(g) Each gaming voucher system must perform the following functions to control the integrity of data:
(1) Cause a unique serial number to be generated for each gaming voucher which series number must:
(i) Be comprised of at least 18 numbers, symbols or characters.
(ii) Contain at least three numbers, symbols or characters, randomly generated in a manner approved by the Board, designed to prevent a person from being able to predict the serial number of any other gaming voucher.
(iii) Contain at least one number, symbol or character unique to gaming vouchers, to visually differentiate gaming vouchers from coupons.
(iv) Be printed in at least two locations on each gaming voucher.
(2) Validate the data type and format of all inputs to critical fields and reject any corrupt data.
(3) Provide for the automatic and independent recordation of critical data upon gaming voucher generation and redemption including the details required to be printed on a gaming voucher under this part.
(4) Provide for verification of the information contained on a gaming voucher presented for redemption and the unredeemed gaming voucher record to a source that separately records and maintains transaction data, such as an automated transaction log, or other compensating procedure as approved by the Board. The procedure must:
(i) Independently verify the accuracy of the gaming voucher serial number and value prior to redeeming the gaming voucher.
(ii) Not be used to satisfy other requirements of this chapter.
(5) Segregate all security critical system programs, files and directories from other programs and files and directories contained in the system.
(h) Each gaming voucher system must be equipped with the following to address continuity:
(1) Data redundancy, such as disk mirroring, which writes a complete and duplicate copy of all data on the primary disk to a secondary disk as it occurs, to permit a complete and prompt recovery of all information in the event of any malfunction.
(2) Environmental protection, such as an uninterruptible power supply, and fireproof and waterproof materials designed to protect critical hardware from a natural disaster.
(3) A backup capability, which enables the slot machine licensee to create periodic backup copies of files and data on a removable storage device, such as magnetic tape, which is separate from the devices required in accordance with paragraph (1).
(i) The Board may waive one or more of the technical standards applicable to gaming vouchers adopted by the Board upon a determination that the gaming voucher system as configured nonetheless meets the operational integrity requirements of the act, this part and any technical standards adopted by the Board.
§ 461a.4. Wide area progressive systems.
(a) Each slot system agreement providing for the operation and administration of a wide area progressive system must identify and describe with specificity the duties, responsibilities and authority of each participating slot machine licensee and each slot system operator including:
(1) Details with regard to the terms of compensation for the slot system operator. In specific, the agreement must address to what extent, if any, the slot system operator is receiving compensation based, directly or indirectly, on an interest, percentage or share of a slot machine licensee's revenue, profits or earnings from the operation of the wide area progressive system.
(2) Responsibility for the funding and payment of all jackpots, fees and gross terminal revenue taxes associated with the operation of the wide area progressive system.
(3) Control and operation of the computer monitoring room required under § 461.13 (relating to wide area progressive systems).
(4) A description of the process by which significant decisions with regard to the operation of the wide area progressive system are approved and implemented by the participating slot machine licensees and slot system operator.
(5) When applicable, terms satisfactory to the Board with regard to apportionment of responsibility for establishing and servicing any trust agreement associated with any annuity jackpot offered by the wide area progressive system.
(6) Responsibility for generating, filing and maintaining the records and reports required under the act, this part and technical standards adopted by the Board.
(7) Other requirements of the Board, including those required to comply with technical standards on wide area progressive systems adopted by the Board.
(b) A slot system agreement submitted to the Board for approval must be accompanied by a proposed system of internal controls addressing:
(1) Transactions directly or indirectly relating to the payment of progressive jackpots including the establishment, adjustment, transfer or removal of a progressive jackpot amount and the payment of any fees or taxes associated therewith.
(2) The name, employer, position and gaming license status of any person involved in the operation and control of the wide area progressive system.
(c) The Board will review the persons identified in subsection (b)(2) and determine, based on an analysis of specific duties and responsibilities, which persons will be licensed to what level in this Commonwealth. The Board will advise the slot system operator of its findings. The participating slot machine licensees and any participating licensed manufacturer shall comply with the Board's licensing instructions.
(d) A slot system operator may not commence operation and administration of a wide area progressive system pursuant to the terms of a slot system agreement until the agreement itself and the internal controls required under subsection (b) have been approved in writing by the Board and any licensing requirements under subsection (c) have been complied with.
(e) When a slot system agreement involves payment to a licensed manufacturer, functioning as a slot system operator, of an interest, percentage or share of a slot machine's licensee's revenue, profits or earnings from the operation of a wide area progressive system, the Board may only approve the slot system agreement when it determines that the total amounts paid to the licensed manufacturer under the terms of the agreement are commercially reasonable for the operational and administrative services provided. Nothing herein limits the Board's consideration of the slot system agreement to its revenue sharing provisions.
(f) In evaluating a proposed location for a computer monitoring room, the Board may consider the level of physical and system security offered by the proposed location and the accessibility of the location to the audit, investigative and technical staffs of the Board, the Department and Pennsylvania State Police.
(g) Each party to a slot system agreement shall only be liable for acts, omissions and violations of the act, this part or any technical standards adopted by the Board related to its own individual duties and responsibilities under the slot system agreement, unless the slot system agreement specifically provides for joint and several liability.
(h) The Board may waive one or more of the technical standards applicable to wide area progressive systems adopted by the Board upon a determination that the wide area progressive system as configured nonetheless meets the operational integrity requirements of the act, this part and any technical standards adopted by the Board.
§ 461a.5. Remote computer access.
(a) In emergency situations or as an element of technical support, an employee of a licensed manufacturer may perform analysis of, or render technical support with regard to, a slot machine licensee's slot monitoring system, casino management system, player tracking system, external bonusing system, cashless funds transfer system, wide area progressive system, gaming voucher system or other approved system from a remote location. Any remote access to these systems shall be performed in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) Only an employee of a licensed manufacturer who is licensed as a gaming employee or key employee in this Commonwealth may remotely access a system sold, leased or otherwise distributed by that licensed manufacturer for use at a licensed facility.
(2) The slot machine licensee shall establish a unique system account for each employee of a licensed manufacturer identified by his employer as potentially required to perform technical support from a remote location. Any system access afforded pursuant to this section must:
(i) Be restricted in a manner that requires the slot machine licensee's information technology department to receive prior notice from the licensed manufacturer of its intent to remotely access a designated system.
(ii) Require the slot machine licensee to take affirmative steps, on a per access basis, to activate the licensed manufacturer's access privileges.
(iii) Be designed to appropriately limit the ability of any person authorized under this section to deliberately or inadvertently interfere with the normal operation of the system or its data.
(3) A log shall be maintained by both the licensed manufacturer and the slot machine licensee's information technology department. Each of the two logs must contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(i) The system accessed, including manufacturer and version number.
(ii) The type of connection (that is, leased line, dial in modem or private WAN).
(iii) The name and license number of the employee remotely accessing the system.
(iv) The name and license number of the information technology department employee activating the licensed manufacturer's access to the system.
(v) The date, time and duration of the connection.
(vi) The reason for the remote access including a description of the symptoms or malfunction prompting the need for remote access to the system.
(vii) Any action taken or further action required.
(4) Communications between the licensed manufacturer and any of the systems identified in subsection (a) shall occur using a dedicated and secure communication facility such as a leased line approved in writing by the Board.
(b) Any modification of, or remedial action taken with respect to, an approved system must be processed and approved by the Board either in accordance with the emergency modification provisions of § 461.4(l) (relating to submission for testing and approval) or as a standard modification submitted under § 461.4(h).
(c) If an employee of a licensed manufacturer is no longer employed by, or authorized by, that manufacturer to remotely access a system pursuant to this section, the licensed manufacturer shall immediately notify the Board's slot lab and each slot machine licensee that has established a unique system account for that employee of the change in authorization and shall timely verify with each slot machine licensee that any access privileges previously granted have been revoked.
(d) The Board may waive one or more of the technical requirements applicable to remote computer access adopted by the Board upon a determination that the nonconforming remote access procedures nonetheless meet the integrity requirements of the act, this part and any technical standards adopted by the Board.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 06-1256. Filed for public inspection June 30, 2006, 9:00 a.m.]
No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Bulletin full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.
