RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title 58—RECREATION
PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD
[58 PA. CODE CHS. 623b AND 633b]
Craps and Mini-Craps Side Wagers and Variations; Blackjack Side Wagers and Variations—Temporary Regulations
[53 Pa.B. 5923]
[Saturday, September 23, 2023]The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Board), under the general authority in 4 Pa.C.S. § 1202(b)(30) (relating to general and specific powers) and the specific authority in 4 Pa.C.S. § 13A02(1) and (2) (relating to regulatory authority) and § 13A03 (relating to temporary table game regulations), adopts the temporary regulations in §§ 623b.5 and 633b.16 (relating to power odds; and EZ Bust Blackjack) to read as set forth in Annex A. The Board's temporary regulations will be added to Part VII (relating to Gaming Control Board) as part of Subpart K (relating to table games).
Purpose of this Temporary Rulemaking
This temporary rulemaking adds new side wagers and variations to existing games available for play in this Commonwealth.
Explanation
The addition to Chapter 623b (relating to Craps and Mini-Craps side wagers and variations—temporary regulations) adds Power Odds. Power Odds incorporates increased payout odds to be randomly applied to certain wagers in the game of Craps.
The addition to Chapter 633b (relating to Blackjack side wagers and variations—temporary regulations) adds EZ Bust Blackjack, a side wager. EZ Bust Blackjack allows for players to place the side wager when the dealer's hand shows a two, three, four, five or six card. The wager wins when the dealer's hand busts after drawing additional card(s) consistent with the rules for dealer's hands being dealt additional cards. Winning EZ Bust Blackjack wagers pay odds of 1 to 1.
Fiscal Impact
Commonwealth. The Board does not expect that this temporary rulemaking will have a fiscal impact on the Board or other Commonwealth agencies. Updates to Rules Submission forms and internal control procedures will be reviewed by existing Board staff.
Political subdivisions. This temporary rulemaking will not have a fiscal impact on political subdivisions of this Commonwealth.
Private sector. This temporary rulemaking will provide certificate holders with an additional table game option. If a certificate holder decides to offer any of the side wagers or variations, or both—temporary regulations within the licensed facility, the certificate holder will be required to train its dealers on the rules of play and purchase new equipment—specifically table layouts corresponding to the game and wagers offered. Costs incurred to train employees or purchase/lease equipment should be offset by the proceeds of gaming.
General public. This temporary rulemaking will not have fiscal impact on the general public.
Paperwork Requirements
If a certificate holder seeks to offer any of the side wagers or variations contained in these temporary regulations the certificate holder will be required to submit a Rules Submission form reflecting the choices in how the game will be offered and with the selected side wagers and variations identified. These forms are available on the Board's public web site and submitted to Board staff electronically.
Effective Date
This temporary rulemaking will become effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and will expire 3 years from the date of publication.
Public Comments
While this temporary rulemaking will be effective upon publication, the Board is seeking comments from the public and affected parties as to how this temporary regulation might be improved. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, suggestions or objections regarding this temporary rulemaking within 30 days after the date of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin to Robert Wood, Assistant Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, 303 Walnut Street, 5th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9060, Attention: Public Comment on Regulation # 125-245.
Contact Person
The contact person for questions about this temporary rulemaking is Robert Wood, Assistant Chief Counsel, (717) 346-8300.
Regulatory Review
Under 4 Pa.C.S. § 1303A, the Board is authorized to adopt temporary regulations which are not subject to the provisions of sections 201—205 of the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L. 769, No. 240), referred to as the Commonwealth Documents Law (CDL) (45 P.S. §§ 1201—1205); the Regulatory Review Act (RRA) (71 P.S. §§ 745.1—745.14); and sections 204(b) and 301(10) of the Commonwealth Attorneys Act (CAA) (71 P.S. §§ 732-204(b) and 732-301(10)). These temporary regulations expire 3 years after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Findings
The Board finds that:
(1) Under 4 Pa.C.S. § 1303A, the temporary regulations are exempt from the requirements of the RRA, sections 201—205 of the CDL and sections 204(b) and 301(10) of the CAA.
(2) The adoption of the temporary regulations is necessary and appropriate for the administration and enforcement of 4 Pa.C.S. Part II (relating to gaming).
Order
The Board, acting under 4 Pa.C.S. Part II, orders that:
(1) The regulations of the Board, 58 Pa. Code Chapters 623b and 633b, are amended by adding §§ 623b.5 and 633b.16 to read as set forth in Annex A.
(2) The temporary regulations are effective September 23, 2023.
(3) The temporary regulations will be posted on the Board's web site and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
(4) The temporary regulations shall be subject to amendment as deemed necessary by the Board.
(5) The Chairperson of the Board shall certify this order and Annex A and deposit them with the Legislative Reference Bureau as required by law.
DENISE J. SMYLER,
ChairpersonFiscal Note: 125-245. No fiscal impact; recommends adoption.
Annex A
TITLE 58. RECREATION
PART VII. GAMING CONTROL BOARD
Subpart K. TABLE GAMES
CHAPTER 623b. CRAPS AND MINI-CRAPS SIDE WAGERS AND VARIATIONS—TEMPORARY REGULATIONS § 623b.5. Power Odds.
(a) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), offer to players Power Odds, which provides the ability to win an increased payout based upon the results of a random number generator.
(b) Craps, Mini-Craps, or variations that offer Power Odds shall be played consistent with Chapters 623a or 623b (relating to Craps and Mini-Craps; and Craps and Mini-Craps side wagers and variations—temporary regulations), unless otherwise provided under this section.
(c) After all wagers have been placed consistent with § 623a.4 (relating to making and removal of wagers), but before the dice are thrown and the results known, the random number generator shall be initiated and shall display which bet or bets have been selected for which, if any, Power Odds increased payouts.
(d) The following wagers shall be eligible for the increased Power Odds:
Wager Power Odds Any Craps Bet 10 to 1 or 14 to 1 Any Seven Bet 6 to 1 or 8 to 1 11 in One Roll 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 One-Three or Ace-Trey on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 One-Four or Ace-Four on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 One-Five or Ace-Five on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 One-Six or Ace-Six on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 Two-Three or Deuce-Trey on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 Two-Four or Deuce-Four on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 Two-Five or Deuce-Five on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 Two-Six or Deuce-Six on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 Three-Four or Trey-Four on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 Three-Five or Trey-Five on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 Three-Six or Trey-Six on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 Four-Five on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 Four-Six on the Hop Bet 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 Four the Hardway on the Hop Bet 45 to 1 or 60 to 1 Six the Hardway on the Hop Bet 45 to 1 or 60 to 1 Eight the Hardway on the Hop Bet 45 to 1 or 60 to 1 Ten the Hardway on the Hop Bet 45 to 1 or 60 to 1 Horn bet (3, 11) 22 to 1 or 30 to 1 Horn Bet (2, 12) 45 to 1 or 60 to 1 C&E (2, 3, 12) 4 to 1 or 6 to 1 C&E (11) 10 to 1 or 14 to 1 Four the Hardway Bet 10 to 1 or 14 to 1 Six the Hardway Bet 13 to 1 or 18 to 1 Eight the Hardway Bet 13 to 1 or 18 to 1 Ten the Hardway Bet 10 to 1 or 14 to 1
CHAPTER 633b. BLACKJACK SIDE WAGERS AND VARIATIONS—TEMPORARY REGULATIONS § 633b.16. EZ Bust Blackjack.
(a) A certificate holder may, if specified in its Rules Submission under § 601a.2 (relating to table games Rules Submissions), offer to players who have made a Blackjack Wager under § 633a.6(d) (relating to wagers) the option to place an EZ Bust Blackjack side wager.
(b) Except as provided under this section, Blackjack games which offer the EZ Bust Blackjack side wager shall follow the rules and procedures outlined in Chapter 633a (relating to Blackjack).
(c) A patron shall have the option to place an EZ Bust Blackjack wager if after dealing the initial two cards to the dealer's hand under § 633a.7(f) (relating to procedure for dealing the cards; completion of each round of play) the dealer's up card is a two, three, four, five or six.
(1) A patron shall have the option to place an EZ Bust Blackjack wager even if the patron was dealt a Blackjack.
(2) A patron shall have the option to place an additional EZ Bust Blackjack wager each time they split their hand under § 633a.11 (relating to splitting pairs).
(d) The patron may place an EZ Bust Blackjack wager up to an amount equal to their initial Blackjack wager.
(e) After the placement of any EZ Bust Blackjack wagers, the Blackjack round of play shall be completed consistent with § 633a.7.
(f) An EZ Bust Blackjack wager shall:
(1) Win if the dealer, having drawn a third card or more under § 633a.7(l)—(n), results in the dealer's hand having a point count greater than 21—that is, busting.
(2) Lose if the dealer, having drawn a third card or more under § 633a.7(l)—(n), results in the dealer's hand resulting in a point count less than or equal to 21.
(g) The certificate holder may, if specified in the rules submission, treat all EZ Bust Blackjack wagers as a push, if all players Blackjack wagers have resulted in a Blackjack or have busted.
(h) EZ Bust Blackjack wagers shall be settled prior to the settlement of the player's Blackjack wager, and the removal of the player's cards.
(i) Winning EZ Bust Blackjack wagers shall be paid at odds of 1 to 1.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 23-1285. Filed for public inspection September 22, 2023, 9:00 a.m.]
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