Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

• No statutes or acts will be found at this website.

The Pennsylvania Bulletin website includes the following: Rulemakings by State agencies; Proposed Rulemakings by State agencies; State agency notices; the Governor’s Proclamations and Executive Orders; Actions by the General Assembly; and Statewide and local court rules.

PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 07-1345a

[37 Pa.B. 4068]
[Saturday, July 28, 2007]

[Continued from previous Web Page]

§ 465a.7.  Complimentary services or items.

   (a)  A slot machine licensee shall develop, maintain and apply adequate internal controls over the authorization and issuance of complimentary services or items as defined in § 401a.3 (relating to definitions). The slot machine licensee shall maintain a written record of the internal controls under this section and the specific employees to whom they apply. Slot machine licensees are not required to obtain Board approval of the internal controls under this section.

   (b)  The internal controls must include the following:

   (1)  The procedures by which the slot machine licensee delegates to its employees the authority to approve the issuance of complimentary services or items.

   (2)  The procedures by which the slot machine licensee establishes or modifies any conditions or limits, to delegated authority, including limits based on relationships between the authorizer and recipient.

   (3)  The provisions employed to insure the auditing of complimentary services or items.

   (c)  Complimentary services or items shall be recorded as follows:

   (1)  A complimentary service or item provided directly to a patron in the normal course of a slot machine licensee's business shall be recorded at an amount based upon the full retail price normally charged for the service or item by the licensee.

   (2)  A complimentary service or item not offered for sale to a patron in the normal course of a slot machine licensee's business but provided directly by the slot machine licensee shall be recorded at an amount based upon the actual cost to the slot machine licensee of providing the service or item.

   (3)  A complimentary service or item provided directly or indirectly to a patron on behalf of a slot machine licensee by a third party not affiliated with the slot machine licensee shall be recorded at an amount based upon the actual cost to the licensee of having the third party provide the service or item.

   (4)  A complimentary service or item provided directly or indirectly to a patron on behalf of a slot machine licensee by a third party who is affiliated with the licensee shall be recorded by the licensee in accordance with this section as if the affiliated third party were the licensee.

   (d)  If a slot machine licensee provides complimentary cash and noncash gifts recorded at a value of $10,000 or more to a person and the person's guests within a consecutive 5-day period, the slot machine licensee shall record the reason why the gifts were provided and maintain the records available for inspection by the Board and the Pennsylvania State Police. When the reason complimentary cash and noncash gifts were provided involves the person's player rating, that rating must be based upon an evaluation of the amount and frequency of play by the person as recorded in the slot machine licensee's player rating system. For the purposes of this section, ''guest'' means any person who receives complimentary services or items as a result of his relationship with the person receiving the primary complimentary services or items.

   (e)  A slot machine licensee shall submit to the Board a report listing each person who, under subsection (d), received $10,000 or more in complimentary cash and noncash gifts within a consecutive 5-day period ending during the preceding month. The report shall be filed by the last day of the month following the month in which the complimentary cash and noncash gifts were issued and include the total amount of complimentary cash or noncash gifts provided to each person broken down into categories for food and beverage, hotel accommodations, travel and other services.

§ 465a.8.  Licensed facility.

   (a)  A licensed facility must be equipped with a surveillance system configured and approved in accordance with §§ 465a.9 and 465a.10 (relating to the surveillance system; surveillance department control; surveillance department restrictions; and surveillance system recording formats). Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d)(1), the surveillance system shall be under the exclusive control of the surveillance department.

   (b)  Restricted areas within the licensed facility shall be designated for the repair and storage of slot machines. Areas approved and utilized within the licensed facility for slot machine repair shall be covered by the approved surveillance system.

   (c)  Emergency exits from the gaming floor must be equipped with an audible alarm system that produces a loud, distinguishable warning sound, discernable in the vicinity of the exit, whenever the emergency door is opened. The alarm system shall be designed to require deactivation and reset by means of a key. The key is to be maintained by the security department.

   (d)  Slot machine licensees shall, in accordance with section 1207(13)  of the act (relating to regulatory authority of board), provide for and maintain onsite facilities for use by the Board, the Department and the Pennsylvania State Police for the purpose of carrying out their respective responsibilities (collectively referred to as the ''onsite facilities''). The onsite facilities must be located in the same building as, and be located proximate to, the gaming floor and include suitable office space, equipment, partitions and supplies to meet the continuing needs of the Board, the Department and the Pennsylvania State Police at the facility including the following:

   (1)  A surveillance system monitoring room, located within the onsite facilities, with full camera control capability for the reception of transmissions generated by each camera approved for use as part of the slot machine licensee's surveillance system. Full camera control capability includes the ability to override the camera control capability of the slot machine licensee's surveillance system.

   (2)  An area for the detention of individuals detained or taken into custody by the Pennsylvania State Police. The detention area must be located within the onsite facilities and consist of a bench or other apparatus which is permanently affixed to the wall to which the person in custody can be handcuffed with as little discomfort to that person as is possible under the circumstances.

   (3)  A fingerprinting and photographing facility for use by the Pennsylvania State Police located in conformance with and outfitted in compliance with specifications established by the Pennsylvania State Police.

   (4)  Adequate computer, telephone and copying capability to meet the Board's, the Department's and the Pennsylvania State Police's continuing data processing and related needs.

   (5)  Direct telephone connections between the onsite facilities and the slot machine licensee's surveillance monitoring room and its security department.

   (6)  Computer terminals facilitating read only access to any computerized slot monitoring system or casino management system, or both, used by the slot machine licensee in its gaming operations.

   (e)  Keys or alternative locking mechanisms securing access to the onsite facilities shall be under the exclusive custody and control of the Board, the Department or the Pennsylvania State Police respectively.

   (f)  Slot machine licensees shall provide additional accommodations within the licensed facility upon receipt of a written request from the Board, the Department or the Pennsylvania State Police to accommodate periodic audit, compliance or investigative reviews at the licensed facility.

   (g)  Slot machine licensees shall provide adequate parking spaces adjacent or proximate to the onsite facilities, clearly marked for the Board, the Department or Pennsylvania State Police use only.

   (h)  Slot machine licensees shall equip licensed facilities with communication systems necessary to insure communication between the licensed facility and the Board, the Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, any applicable local law enforcement agency or emergency first responders.

§ 465a.9.  Surveillance system; surveillance department control; surveillance department restrictions.

   (a)  The surveillance system of a licensed facility shall be submitted to and approved by the Board under § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols). The Bureau will review surveillance system specifications, inclusive of the camera configuration and changes or modifications to the system specifications, to determine whether the system provides the adequate and effective surveillance of activities inside and outside the licensed facility mandated by section 1207(11)  of the act (relating to regulatory authority of board). A slot machine licensee may not commence gaming operations until its surveillance system is approved by the Board.

   (b)  A slot machine licensee shall at all times provide the Board and the Pennsylvania State Police, upon request, with access to its surveillance system and its transmissions. Each member of its surveillance department shall comply with any request made by the Board or the Pennsylvania State Police to:

   (1)  Use, as necessary, any surveillance monitoring room in the licensed facility.

   (2)  Display on the monitors in the monitoring room any event capable of being monitored by the surveillance system.

   (3)  Make a video and, if applicable, audio recording of, and take a still photograph of, any event capable of being monitored by the surveillance system.

   (i)  The slot machine licensee shall preserve and store each recording or photograph in accordance with the directions of the Board or the Pennsylvania State Police.

   (ii)  The Board and the Pennsylvania State Police shall have unfettered access to each recording or photograph and, at the request of the Board or Pennsylvania State Police, access to a recording or photograph may be denied to a particular employee or department of the slot machine licensee.

   (c)  The surveillance system required in this section must include the following:

   (1)  Light sensitive cameras with lenses of sufficient magnification to allow the operator to read information on a slot machine reel strip and credit meter and equipped with 360° pan, tilt and zoom capabilities, without camera stops, to clandestinely monitor in detail and from various vantage points, including the following:

   (i)  The gaming conducted at the slot machines in the licensed facility.

   (ii)  The operations conducted at and in the cashiers' cage and any satellite cage.

   (iii)  The operations conducted at automated bill breaker, gaming voucher redemption, coupon redemption and jackpot payout machines.

   (iv)  The count processes conducted in the count room.

   (v)  The movement of cash and slot cash storage boxes within the licensed facility.

   (vi)  The entrances and exits to the licensed facility, the gaming floor and the count room.

   (2)  Video recording equipment which, at a minimum, must:

   (i)  Permit the preservation and viewing of a clear copy of the transmission produced by any camera connected to the surveillance system.

   (ii)  Be capable of superimposing the time and date of the transmission on each recording made by the video recording equipment.

   (iii)  Enable the operator to identify and locate, through the use of a meter, counter or other device or method, a particular event which was recorded.

   (3)  Recording media which shall be replaced immediately upon the manifestation of significant degradation in the quality of the images or sound, if applicable, recorded thereon. If videotape is utilized, it may be used for no more than 1 year.

   (4)  Audio capability in the count room installed in a manner that conforms to 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 5701--5781 (relating to Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act).

   (5)  One or more monitoring rooms in the licensed facility which shall be staffed by employees of the slot machine licensee's surveillance department who shall at all times monitor the activities enumerated in paragraph (1). Each monitoring room shall be equipped with or serviced by:

   (i)  A communication system capable of monitoring all of the licensed facility's security department activities.

   (ii)  Computer terminals which facilitate read only access to any computerized slot monitoring system or casino management system, or both, used by the slot machine licensee in its gaming operation.

   (iii)  Connections to all casino alarm systems. The systems must provide a visible, audible or combination signal. A robbery, fire or emergency alarm must be perceptually distinguishable from all nonemergency alarms.

   (iv)  An updated photo library, consisting of photographs that are no more than 4 years old, of all current employees of the slot machine licensee, which photo library shall be available to the Board and the State Police.

   (v)  Contain and have readily available current copies of the following:

   (A)  An operational blueprint of the gaming floor and all areas of the licensed facility subject to camera coverage.

   (B)  Operating procedures addressing the evacuation of the licensed facility in the event of fire or other emergency.

   (C)  A contingency plan addressing a planned shutdown of the surveillance system and the contingency plan required by subsection (g)  addressing any equipment failure that affects the slot machine licensee's monitoring room together with an emergency contact listing with telephone numbers for persons required to be notified of those events.

   (6)  An emergency power system, tested at intervals not to exceed 6 months, which can be used to operate the surveillance system in the event of a power failure.

   (7)  A preventive maintenance program, implemented by technicians assigned to the surveillance department, which insures that the entire surveillance system is maintained in proper working order and that the covers over the cameras are cleaned in accordance with a routine maintenance schedule.

   (d)  Areas subject to camera coverage under this section must contain continuous lighting that is of sufficient quality to produce clear video recordings and still picture reproductions.

   (e)  A slot machine licensee's surveillance system must be required to continuously record, during the times and in the manner indicated in this subsection, transmissions from cameras used to observe the following locations, persons, activities or transactions:

   (1)  Each transaction conducted at a cashiering location, whether or not that cashiering location services patrons. Coverage of the transaction must include, but not be limited to, recording transmissions from cameras used to observe the face of each person transacting business at each cashiering location from the direction of the cashier.

   (2)  The main bank, vault, satellite cages and other areas specified in writing by the Board.

   (3)  The collection of slot cash storage boxes.

   (4)  The count procedures conducted in the count room.

   (5)  Any armored car collection or delivery.

   (6)  Automated bill breaker, gaming voucher redemption, coupon redemption and jackpot payout machines whenever the machines are opened for replenishment or other servicing.

   (7)  The entrances and exits to the licensed facility, the gaming floor, the cashiers' cage and the count room.

   (f)  Slot machine licensees shall maintain a surveillance log of all surveillance activities in the monitoring room. The log shall be maintained by monitoring room personnel in a book with bound numbered pages that cannot be readily removed or shall be maintained in an electronic format which has an audit function that prevents modification of information after the information has been entered into the system. The log shall be stored and retained in accordance with § 465a.6 (relating to retention, storage and destruction of books, records and documents). The following information shall be recorded in a surveillance log:

   (1)  The date and time each surveillance event commenced.

   (2)  The name and Board issued credential number of each person who initiates, performs or supervises the surveillance.

   (3)  When suspicious activity, suspected or alleged regulatory violations or suspected or alleged criminal activity is involved, the reason for the surveillance, including the name, if known, alias or description of each individual being monitored, and a brief description of the activity in which the person being monitoring is engaged. This entry should also include a notation of the reading on the meter, counter or device specified in subsection (c)(2)(iii)  that identifies the point on the video recording at which the event was recorded.

   (4)  The time at which each video recording is commenced and terminated, if different than when surveillance commenced or terminated.

   (5)  Time each surveillance event terminated.

   (6)  A summary of the results of the surveillance.

   (7)  A complete description of the time, date and, if known, the cause of any equipment or camera malfunctions, and the time at which the security department was apprised of the malfunction in accordance with the casino licensee's internal controls submitted under § 465a.2(d) (5).

   (g)  In accordance with § 465a.2(d)(5), each slot machine licensee shall have a contingency plan, to be utilized whenever there is an equipment failure that affects the slot machine licensee's monitoring room or other aspect of its surveillance system or operations.

   (h)  The Bureau shall be notified within 30 minutes of any incident of equipment failure as noted in subsection (f)  including the time and cause of the malfunction, if known, the time the slot machine licensee's security department was notified of the malfunction and the nature of communications with the security department relating to the malfunction.

   (i)  The Bureau shall be notified at least 48 hours in advance of the following:

   (1)  Relocation of an approved camera.

   (2)  Change in an approved camera's specifications.

   (3)  Change in lighting for areas required to be subject to camera coverage.

   (4)  Addition or change to the surveillance system.

   (j)  Except for subsection (e)(3), the surveillance recordings required under subsection (e)  shall be retained for a minimum of 30 days. Other surveillance recordings shall be retained for 7 days. Surveillance recordings shall be made available for review upon request by the Board or the Pennsylvania State Police.

   (k)  Any recording determined by the Board or the Pennsylvania State Police as being of potential evidentiary value shall be stored in accordance with Board or Pennsylvania State Police directives or turned over to the Board or the Pennsylvania State Police upon request. At the request and expense of the slot machine licensee, a copy of any recording turned over to the Board or the Pennsylvania State Police may be made available to the slot machine licensee.

   (l)  A surveillance employee assigned to the monitoring room shall work from the employee's own monitoring station.

   (m)  In accordance with § 465a.2(a)(5), each slot machine licensee shall be required to submit, for Board approval, a minimum staffing submission with regard to its surveillance monitor rooms. The minimum staffing submission must consider the size and layout of the licensed facility as well as the number of slot machines and must at all times provide for surveillance of activities inside and outside the licensed facility. A slot machine licensee may not implement a change or amendment in its surveillance monitor room minimum staffing submission without prior Board approval of the change or amendment.

   (n)  A slot machine licensee's surveillance department employees shall be independent of all other departments.

   (o)  A present or former surveillance department employee may not accept employment as a key employee or gaming employee with the same slot machine licensee for whom he was previously employed as a surveillance department employee unless 1 year has passed since the former surveillance department employee worked in the surveillance department. The present or former surveillance department employee may file a written petition requesting the Board to waive this restriction and permit the employment of a present or former surveillance department employee in a particular position. The Board may grant or deny the waiver upon consideration of the following factors:

   (1)  Whether the former surveillance department employee will be employed in a department or area of operation that the surveillance department monitors.

   (2)  Whether the surveillance and security systems of the slot machine licensee will be jeopardized or compromised by the employment of the former surveillance department employee in the particular position.

   (3)  Whether the former surveillance department employee's knowledge of the procedures of the surveillance department would facilitate the commission by any person of irregularities or illegal acts or the concealment of any actions or errors.

   (p)  Entrances to the surveillance monitoring rooms may not be visible from the gaming floor. A person entering the surveillance monitoring room who is not an employee of the surveillance department assigned to the monitoring room on the particular shift corresponding to the time of entry shall sign a monitoring room entry log upon entering the monitoring room. The monitoring room entry log shall be:

   (1)  Maintained in the monitoring room by monitoring room personnel and retained in accordance with § 465a.6 (relating to retention, storage and destruction of books, records and documents).

   (2)  Maintained in a book with bound numbered pages that cannot be readily removed or shall be maintained in an electronic format which has an audit function that prevents modification of information after the information has been entered into the system.

   (3)  Signed by each person entering the monitoring room, with each entry containing the following:

   (i)  The date and time of entering the monitoring room.

   (ii)  The entering person's name and his department or affiliation.

   (iii)  The reason for entering the monitoring room.

   (iv)  The name of the person authorizing the person's entry into the monitoring room.

   (v)  The date and time of exiting the monitoring room.

   (4)  Made available for inspection by the Board and the Pennsylvania State Police.

§ 465a.10.  Surveillance system recording formats.

   (a)  A slot machine licensee may utilize either an analog or digital video recording format provided the format selected incorporates current technology with regard to secure system access, video cameras, monitors, recorders, video printers, switches, selectors and other ancillary equipment and provides for surveillance of activities inside and outside the licensed facility.

   (b)  Digital video recording systems utilized by a slot machine licensee must be in compliance with the technical standards on digital video recording systems under § 465b.1 (relating to digital video recording formats).

§ 465a.11.  Slot machine licensee's organization.

   (a)  Slot machine licensees' systems of internal controls must, in accordance with section 1322 of the act (relating to slot machine accounting controls and audits)  and § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols), include organization charts depicting segregation of functions and responsibilities and descriptions of the duties and responsibilities for each position shown on each organization chart. Slot machine licensees shall be permitted, except as otherwise provided in this section, to tailor organizational structures to meet the needs or policies of a particular management philosophy. A slot machine licensee's organization charts must provide for:

   (1)  A system of personnel and chain of command which permits management and supervisory personnel to be held accountable for actions or omissions within their areas of responsibility.

   (2)  The segregation of incompatible functions, duties and responsibilities so that no employee is in a position both to commit an error or to perpetrate a fraud and to conceal the error or fraud in the normal course of the employee's duties.

   (3)  The performance of all functions, duties and responsibilities in accordance with sound financial practices by qualified personnel.

   (4)  The areas of responsibility which are not so extensive as to be impractical for one person to monitor.

   (5)  A chief executive officer. For the purposes of this section, a ''chief executive officer'' means the person located at the licensed facility who is ultimately responsible for the daily conduct of the slot machine licensee's gaming business regardless of the form of business association of the slot machine licensee or applicant or the particular title which that person or any other person holds. Each supervisor of a department required by subsection (b)  shall report directly to the chief executive officer of the slot machine licensee regarding administrative matters and daily operations. The slot machine licensee's organization charts must designate which positions, in the absence of the chief executive officer, shall be designated as having responsibility for the daily conduct of the slot machine licensee's gaming business.

   (b)  A slot machine licensee's system of internal controls must also include, at a minimum, the following departments and supervisory positions, each of which must be categorized as mandatory and must cooperate with, yet perform independently of, other mandatory departments and supervisory positions of the slot machine licensee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a department or supervisor of a slot machine licensee that is not required or authorized by this section may operate under or in conjunction with a mandatory department or supervisor provided the organizational structure is consistent with the standards contained within the act and subsection (a). Mandatory departments and supervisory positions are:

   (1)  A surveillance department supervised by a person located at the licensed facility who functions, for regulatory purposes, as the director of surveillance. The director of surveillance shall be subject to the reporting requirements specified in subsection (c)  and shall be licensed as a key employee. The surveillance department shall be responsible for the following:

   (i)  The clandestine surveillance of the operation of, and gaming conducted at, slot machines.

   (ii)  The clandestine surveillance of the operation of automated bill breaker, gaming voucher, coupon redemption and jackpot payout machines.

   (iii)  The clandestine surveillance of the operation of the cashiers' cage and any satellite cage.

   (iv)  The audio and video recording of activities in the count room in conformance with 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 5701--5781 (relating to Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act), and the video recording of movements of cash and slot cash storage boxes.

   (v)  The detection of cheating, theft, embezzlement and other illegal activities within the licensed facility.

   (vi)  The detection of the presence of any person who may or is required to be excluded or ejected from the licensed facility under section 1514 or 1515 of the act (relating to regulation requiring exclusion of certain persons; repeat offenders excludable from licensed gaming facility)  and Chapters 511 and 513 (relating to persons required to be excluded; and underage gaming), or is self excluded from the gaming floor and gaming activities at all licensed facilities under section 1516 of the act (relating to list of persons self excluded from gaming activities)  and Chapter 503 (relating to self exclusion).

   (vii)  The video recording of those locations, persons, activities or transactions required under § 465a.9(e) (relating to surveillance system; surveillance department control; surveillance department restrictions)  and of any illegal and unusual activities monitored by the surveillance department.

   (viii)  The provision of immediate notice to supervisors designated in the internal controls, the Bureau and the Pennsylvania State Police upon detecting, and also upon commencing video recording of, a person who is engaging in or attempting to engage in, or who is suspected of cheating, theft, embezzlement, a violation of this part or other illegal activities, including a person who is required to be excluded or ejected from the licensed facility under section 1514 of the act, who may or is required to be excluded or ejected from the licensed facility under section 1514 or 1515 of the act and Chapters 511 or 513 or is self-excluded from the gaming floor and gaming activities at all licensed facilities under section 1516 of the act and Chapter 503.

   (ix)  The clandestine surveillance of any slot computer system or equipment designated for coverage by the Board in conjunction with the approval of a slot machine system, including a slot monitoring system, casino management system, wide area progressive system, gaming voucher system and any communication equipment with the central control computer.

   (2)  An internal audit department supervised by a person located at the licensed facility who functions, for regulatory purposes, as the director of internal audit. The director of internal audit shall be subject to the reporting requirements specified in subsection (c)  and shall be licensed as a key employee.

   (3)  An information technology department supervised by a person located at the licensed facility who functions, for regulatory purposes, as the information technology director. The information technology director shall be licensed as a key employee and be responsible for the quality, reliability and accuracy of all slot computer systems used by the slot machine licensee regardless of whether data, software or systems are located within or outside the licensed facility. The information technology director shall further be responsible for the security and physical integrity of, and the accountability and maintenance of, the following:

   (i)  Access codes and other security controls used to insure limited access to computer software and the system wide reliability of data.

   (ii)  Computer tapes, disks or other electronic storage media containing data relevant to the slot machine licensee's operations.

   (iii)  Computer hardware, communications equipment and software used in the conduct of the slot machine licensee's operations.

   (iv)  The computerized slot monitoring system utilized by the slot machine licensee. In specific, the information technology director shall ensure that:

   (A)  Slot machines located on the gaming floor are connected electronically to the slot machine licensee's computerized slot monitoring system and to the Commonwealth's central control computer in accordance with section 1323 (relating to central control computer system).

   (B)  The security features of the computerized slot monitoring system prohibit, at a minimum, the deletion, creation or modification of any data unless a permanent record is created that sets forth:

   (I)  The original information.

   (II)  Modifications to the original information.

   (III)  The identity of the employee making the modification.

   (IV)  The identity of each employee authorizing the modification, if applicable.

   (C)  Computerized jackpot payout systems utilized by the slot machine licensee are configured to require that any modification of $100 or more to the original amount recorded on a computerized jackpot payout or system override is authorized by two finance department employees, one of whom is in a position of greater authority than the individual preparing the jackpot payout.

   (D)  Procedures and controls are in place that define and limit interaction between both the slot operations department and finance department and the computerized slot monitoring system including access to system menus, the establishment of slot machine profile parameters, and the ability of each department to access, delete, create or modify information contained in the slot monitoring system.

   (4)  A slot operations department supervised by a person located at the licensed facility who functions, for regulatory purposes, as the director of slot operations. The director of slot operations shall be licensed as a key employee and be responsible for the operation of, and conduct of gaming at, slot machines within the licensed facility.

   (5)  A security department supervised by a person located at the licensed facility who functions, for regulatory purposes, as the director of security. The security department must be licensed as a key employee and be responsible for the overall security of the licensed facility including the following:

   (i)  The physical safety of natural persons.

   (ii)  The physical safeguarding of assets.

   (iii)  The protection of the property of both the patron and the slot machine licensee from illegal activity.

   (iv)  In collaboration with the human resources department or its functional equivalent, the design, implementation and enforcement of a system for the issuance of access badges.

   (v)  The design, implementation and enforcement of a system for the issuance of temporary access credentials.

   (vi)  The recording of any unusual incidents within the licensed facility in which the security department is involved. Each incident shall be recorded by security department personnel in a book with bound numbered pages that cannot be readily removed or be maintained in an electronic format which has an audit function that prevents modification of information after the information has been entered into the system. The log shall be stored and retained in accordance with § 465a.6 (relating to retention, storage and destruction of books, records and documents). The following information shall be recorded:

   (I)  The assignment number of the incident.

   (II)  The date and time.

   (III)  The nature of the incident.

   (IV)  The persons involved in the incident.

   (V)  The security department employees assigned to cover the incident.

   (vii)  The identification and removal of any person who is required to be excluded or ejected from the licensed facility under section 1514 of the act, who may be excluded or ejected from the licensed facility under section 1515 of the act or is self excluded from the gaming floor and gaming activities at all licensed facilities under section 1516 of the act.

   (viii)  The performance of the duties and responsibilities required under the system of internal controls submitted and approved under § 465a.2.

   (ix)  The provision of immediate notice to the Pennsylvania State Police upon detecting the presence in the licensed facility of a person possessing a deadly weapon in violation of § 465a.13 (relating to possession of deadly weapons within a licensed facility).

   (x)  The provision of immediate notice to supervisors designated in the internal controls, the Bureau and the Pennsylvania State Police upon detecting any person who is engaging in or attempting to engage in, or who is suspected of cheating, theft, embezzlement, a violation of this part or other illegal activities, including any person who is required to be excluded or ejected from the licensed facility who may or is required to be excluded or ejected from the licensed facility under section 1514 or 1515 of the act and Chapters 511 or 513 or is self-excluded from the gaming floor and gaming activities at all licensed facilities under section 1516 of the act and Chapter 503.

   (6)  A finance department supervised by a person located at the licensed facility who functions, for regulatory purposes, as the director of finance. The director of finance shall be licensed as a key employee and shall be responsible for all finance functions including the preparation and control of records and data, the control of stored data, the control of unused forms, the accounting for and comparison of operational data and forms, and the control and supervision of the cashiers' cage, satellite cages and the count room. In addition to the requirement that the director of finance be licensed as a key employee, the supervisor of the cashiers' cage shall, on all shifts, be licensed as a key employee.

   (c)  The supervisors of the surveillance and internal audit departments required by subsection (b)  shall report directly to one of the following persons or entities regarding matters of policy, purpose, responsibility and authority, which persons or entities shall also control the hiring, termination and salary of each supervisor:

   (1)  The independent audit committee of the slot machine licensee's board of directors.

   (2)  The independent audit committee of the board of directors of any holding or intermediary company of the slot machine licensee which has authority to direct the operations of the slot machine licensee.

   (3)  The senior surveillance or internal audit executives of any holding or intermediate company included in paragraph (2)  if the most senior executive in the reporting line reports directly to the independent audit committee of the board of directors of the holding or intermediary company.

   (4)  For slot machine licensees or holding companies which are not corporate entities, the noncorporate equivalent of any of the persons or entities listed in paragraphs (1)--(3).

   (d)  The slot machine licensee's personnel shall be trained in all policies, procedures and internal controls relevant to each employee's individual function. Special instructional programs shall be developed by the slot machine licensee in addition to any on-the-job instruction sufficient to enable all members of the departments required by this section to be thoroughly conversant in, and knowledgeable of, the required manner of performance of all transactions relating to their functions.

   (e)  Notwithstanding other provisions to the contrary, a slot machine licensee may designate and assign more than one person to serve jointly as the supervisor of a department required by this section. Each person approved to serve as a joint supervisor of a mandatory department shall be located at the licensed facility and shall be individually and jointly accountable and responsible for the operations of that department.

   (f)  In the event of a vacancy in the chief executive officer position or any mandatory department supervisory position required by subsection (b), the following apply:

   (1)  The slot machine licensee shall notify the Board within 5 days from the date of vacancy. The notice must be in writing and indicate the following information:

   (i)  The vacant position.

   (ii)  The date on which the position will become or became vacant.

   (iii)  The date on which it is anticipated that the vacancy will be filled on a permanent basis.

   (2)  The slot machine licensee shall designate a person to assume the duties and responsibilities of the vacant position within 30 days after the date of vacancy. The person may assume the duties and responsibilities of the vacant position on a temporary basis, provided that:

   (i)  The person does not also function as the department supervisor for any other mandatory department required by this section.

   (ii)  The person's areas of responsibility will not be so extensive as to be impractical for one person to monitor.

   (iii)  The position shall be filled on a permanent basis within 120 days of the original date of vacancy.

   (3)  Within 5 days of filling a vacancy under paragraph (2), the slot machine licensee shall notify the Board thereof. The notice must be in writing and indicate the following:

   (i)  The position.

   (ii)  The name of the person designated.

   (iii)  The date that the vacancy was filled.

   (iv)  An indication of whether the position has been filled on a temporary or permanent basis.

   (4)  The notices required in this subsection shall be directed to the Bureau of Licensing.

§ 465a.12.  Access badges and temporary access credentials.

   (a)  For the purposes of this section, an access badge is a form of identification issued by a slot machine licensee and worn by a slot machine licensee employee, for purposes of identifying the areas of the licensed facility where the employee may obtain access in the course of the performance of the employee's normal duties.

   (b)  Slot machine licensees shall establish procedures, in writing, for readily identifying each person permitted, during the normal course of performing his duties, to have access to one or more restricted areas within the licensed facility.

   (1)  The procedures must include the requirement that persons wear an access badge in a visible location.

   (2)  The procedures must also include a methodology for updating the access badge procedures to reflect changes and amendments in the slot machine licensee's table of organization and the positions approved with respect thereto.

   (3)  The procedures must further include provisions expressly addressing access by employees of licensed manufacturers, licensed manufacturer designees, licensed suppliers and registered and certified vendors.

   (c)  Slot machine licensees shall also establish procedures, in writing, for readily identifying each person permitted, under temporary or emergency circumstances, to have access to one or more restricted areas within the licensed facility.

   (1)  The procedures must include the requirement that those persons wear a temporary access badge in a visible location.

   (2)  The procedures must also include a methodology for updating the temporary access badge procedures to reflect changes and amendments in the slot machine licensee's table of organization and the positions approved with respect thereto.

   (3)  The procedures must further include provisions expressly addressing temporary or emergency access by licensed manufacturers, licensed suppliers and registered and certified vendors.

   (d)  The procedures required in subsection (b) are to be designed, implemented and enforced by the security department in collaboration with the human resources department or its functional equivalent. The procedures in subsection (c)  are to be designed, implemented and enforced by the security department. Procedures addressing both access badges and temporary access badges shall be retained in the security department and be made immediately available to the Board and the Pennsylvania State Police upon request. The slot machine licensee shall cooperate with the Board in making amendments to its procedures to improve the effectiveness of its access badge and temporary access badge systems.

§ 465a.13.  Possession of deadly weapons within a licensed facility.

   (a)  Individuals, including security department personnel, are prohibited from possessing any deadly weapon as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 2301 (relating to definitions) within a licensed facility without the express written approval of the Board.

   (b)  The prohibition in subsection (a) does not apply to:

   (1)  Pennsylvania State Police assigned to its Gaming Enforcement Office.

   (2)  An on-duty officer or agent of any local, State or Federal law enforcement agency when the officer or agent is acting in an official capacity.

   (c)  To obtain approval for the possession of a deadly weapon within a licensed facility, an individual shall be required to submit a written request to the Board which includes:

   (1)  An explanation of the compelling need for the possession of the weapon within the licensed facility.

   (2)  If the request is for possession of a firearm as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105 (relating to persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms), proof that the individual holds a valid license to possess the firearm.

   (d)  A slot machine licensee shall post in a conspicuous location at each entrance to the licensed facility signs that may be easily read stating the following:

The possession of a deadly weapon by any person within this licensed facility without the express written permission of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is prohibited.

§ 465a.14.  Security department minimum staffing.

   (a)  In accordance with § 465a.2(d)(5) (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols), slot machine licensees shall be required to submit a minimum staffing submission with regard to its security department. The minimum staffing submission must consider the size and layout of the licensed facility as well as the number and configuration of slot machines on the gaming floor and must at all times provide for security of the gaming floor and restricted areas servicing the gaming operation. A slot machine licensee may not implement a change or amendment in its security department minimum staffing submission without Board approval of the change or amendment.

   (b)  A slot machine licensee may not employ off-duty law enforcement officers to provide security related services on the gaming floor, in restricted areas within the licensed facility or in any manner in connection with the conduct of slot machine operations.

§ 465a.15.  Cashiers' cage.

   (a)  A licensed facility shall have on, immediately adjacent or proximate to the gaming floor, a physical structure known as a cashiers' cage to house the cashiers and to serve as the central location in the licensed facility for:

   (1)  The custody of the cage inventory comprised of cash (currency or coin) and the forms, documents and records normally associated with the operation of a slot cage.

   (2)  The initial financial consolidation of all transactions relating to slot machine activity.

   (3)  Other functions normally associated with the operation of a cashiers' cage.

   (b)  The supervisor of the cashiers' cage shall, regardless of shift, be licensed as a key employee.

   (c)  The cashiers' cage must be designed and constructed to provide maximum security for the materials housed therein and the activities performed therein. Its design and construction must include:

   (1)  Manually triggered silent alarm systems located at the cashiers' window, vault and in ancillary office space adjacent or proximate thereto. The systems must be connected directly to the monitoring room of the surveillance department and to the security department.

   (2)  A double door entry and exit system that will not permit a person to pass through the second door until the first door is securely locked. In addition, the following apply:

   (i)  The first door leading from the gaming floor of the double door entry and exit system must be controlled by the security department, the surveillance department or, in the alternative, a Board-approved computerized access system designed and administered to provide a functionally equivalent level of security.

   (ii)  The second door of the double door entry and exit system must be controlled by the cashiers' cage.

   (iii)  The double door entry and exit system must have surveillance coverage which shall be monitored by the surveillance department.

   (iv)  An entrance to the cashiers' cage that is not a double door entry and exit system must be an alarmed emergency exit door only.

   (3)  Separate manual locks on each door of the double door entry and exit system, the keys to which must be different from each other.

   (d)  A licensed facility may also have one or more satellite cages separate and apart from the cashiers' cage, established to maximize security, efficient operations or patron convenience. A satellite cage may perform all of the functions of the cashiers' cage and must be equipped with an alarm system in compliance with subsection (c)(1). The functions which are conducted in a satellite cage shall be subject to the accounting controls applicable to a cashiers' cage set forth in this subpart.

   (e)  A slot machine licensee shall maintain, immediately available to the Board and the Pennsylvania State Police, a current list, with credential numbers, of all persons:

   (1)  Possessing the combination or keys to the locks securing the double door entry and exit system restricting access to the cashiers' cage and any satellite cage and the vault.

   (2)  Possessing the ability to activate or deactivate alarm systems for the cashiers' cage, any satellite cage and vault.

§ 465a.16.  Accounting controls for the cashiers' cage.

   (a)  The assets for which slot cashiers are responsible shall be maintained on an imprest basis. At the end of each shift, slot cashiers assigned to the outgoing shift shall record on a cashiers' count sheet the face value of each cage inventory item counted and the total of the opening and closing cage inventories and shall reconcile the total closing inventory with the total opening inventory. Each cashiers' count sheet shall be signed by the preparing cashier attesting to the accuracy of the information thereon.

   (b)  At the opening of every shift, in addition to the imprest funds normally maintained by slot cashiers, each slot machine licensee shall have in the cashiers' cage, a reserve cash bankroll sufficient to pay winning patrons.

   (c)  The cashiers' cage and any satellite cage shall be physically segregated by personnel and function as follows:

   (1)  Slot cashiers shall operate with individual imprest inventories of cash and their functions include the following:

   (i)  The receipt of cash and cash equivalents from patrons in exchange for cash under § 465a.22 (relating to cash equivalents).

   (ii)  The receipt of personal checks for gaming and nongaming purposes from patrons in exchange for cash, subject to any limitations on amount required by the Board under § 465a.20 (relating to personal check cashing).

   (iii)  The receipt of cash, cash equivalents, checks issued by the slot machine licensee, annuity jackpot checks, wire transfers and cashless funds transfers from patrons to establish a customer deposit under § 465a.23 (relating to customer deposits).

   (iv)  The receipt of customer deposit forms from patrons in exchange for cash under § 465a.23.

   (v)  The preparation of jackpot payout slips in accordance with this subpart and technical standards adopted by the Board under § 465a.26 (relating to jackpot payouts).

   (vi)  The receipt of gaming vouchers from patrons, or from authorized employees who received gaming vouchers as gratuities, in exchange for cash.

   (vii)  Issuance, receipt and reconciliation of imprest funds used by slot attendants, including an imprest change/pouch payout fund.

   (viii)  The issuance of cash to automated bill breaker, gaming voucher, coupon redemption and jackpot payout machines in exchange for proper documentation.

   (2)  Main bank cashier functions include the following:

   (i)  The receipt of cash, cash equivalents, gaming vouchers, jackpot payout slips and personal checks received for gaming and nongaming purposes from slot cashiers in exchange for cash.

   (ii)  The receipt of cash from the count rooms.

   (iii)  The receipt of personal checks accepted for gaming and nongaming purposes from slot cashiers for deposit.

   (iv)  The preparation of the overall cage reconciliation and accounting records.

   (v)  The preparation of the daily bank deposit for cash, cash equivalents and personal checks.

   (vi)  The issuance, receipt and reconciliation of imprest funds used by slot attendants.

   (vii)  The receipt from slot cashiers of documentation with signatures thereon, required to be prepared for the segregation of functions in the cashiers' cage.

   (viii)  The responsibility for the reserve cash bankroll.

   (ix)  The receipt of unsecured currency and unsecured gaming vouchers and preparation of reports thereon.

   (d)  At the end of the gaming day a copy of the cashiers' count sheets and related documentation shall be forwarded to the accounting department for agreement of opening and closing inventories, agreement of amounts thereon to other forms, records and documents required by this subpart and recording of transactions.

§ 465a.17.  Bill validators and slot cash storage boxes.

   (a)  Slot machines must be equipped with a bill validator configured to accept any combination of currency, gaming vouchers, coupons and other instruments authorized by the Board for incrementing credits on a slot machine.

   (b)  Access to the bill validator must be controlled by at least one lock, the key to which shall be controlled by the slot operations department.

   (c)  The bill validator in a slot machine must contain a secure tamper resistant container known as a slot cash storage box. Currency, gaming vouchers, coupons and Board-approved instruments inserted into the bill validator shall be deposited into the slot cash storage box.

   (d)  The slot cash storage box must be secured to the bill validator by two separate locks, the keys to which shall be different from each other, one of which may be the lock to the belly door or main door of the slot machine and a second of which is the lock on the release mechanism on the slot cash storage box. If there is not a full door on the bill validator, the lock on the release mechanism on the slot cash storage box must detect and display whether it is locked or unlocked and communicate whether it is locked or unlocked to a slot monitoring system. The keys shall be maintained and controlled as follows:

   (1)  The key to the belly door or main door of the slot machine shall be maintained and controlled by the slot operations department.

   (2)  The key to the lock securing the release mechanism on the slot cash storage box shall be maintained and controlled by the security department. The security department shall establish a sign-out and sign-in procedure with regard to this key which includes documentation of this transfer.

   (e)  A slot cash storage box must:

   (1)  Have at least one lock securing the contents of the slot cash storage box, the key to which shall be maintained and controlled by the finance department.

   (2)  Have a slot opening through which currency, gaming vouchers and coupons can be inserted into the slot cash storage box.

   (3)  Have a mechanical arrangement or device that prohibits removal of currency, gaming vouchers and coupons from the slot opening whenever the slot cash storage box is removed from the bill validator.

   (4)  Be fully enclosed, except for openings that may be required for the operation of the bill validator or the slot cash storage box. However, the location and size of the openings may not affect the security of the slot cash storage box, its contents or the bill validator.

   (5)  Have an asset number that is permanently imprinted, affixed or impressed on the outside of the slot cash storage box which corresponds to the asset number of the slot machine to which the bill validator has been attached. In lieu of the asset number, a slot machine licensee may develop and maintain, with prior Board approval, a system for assigning a unique identification number to its slot cash storage boxes. The system must ensure that each slot cash storage box can readily be identified, either manually or by computer, when in use with, attached to, and removed from a particular bill validator. Each unique identification number must be permanently imprinted, affixed or impressed on the outside of each slot cash storage box that does not otherwise bear an asset number. The asset number or unique identification number must be conspicuous and clearly visible to persons involved in removing or replacing the slot cash storage box in the bill validator and through the slot machine licensee's surveillance system. Notwithstanding the foregoing, emergency slot cash storage boxes may be maintained without an asset number or a unique identification number, provided the word ''emergency'' is permanently imprinted, affixed or impressed thereon, and when put into use, are temporarily marked with the asset number of the slot machine to which the bill validator is attached.

   (6)  Be designed and installed in a manner that renders the slot machine inoperable in the event of the removal or absence of the slot cash storage box.

§ 465a.18.  Transportation of slot cash storage boxes to and from bill validators; storage.

   (a)  Slot machine licensees shall file with the Board a schedule setting forth the specific times at which slot cash storage boxes will be brought to or removed from the bill validators along with specifications as to what areas of the gaming floor will be dropped on each pick-up day and the specific transportation route to be utilized from the gaming floor to the count room.

   (b)  Slot machine licensees shall maintain immediately available to the Board and the Pennsylvania State Police, a current list, with credential numbers, of all employees participating in the transportation of slot cash storage boxes. Any deviation from the schedule setting forth the specific times at which slot cash storage boxes will be brought to or removed from the bill validators, change in the areas to be dropped or the transportation route to the count room shall be noticed to the Board in advance.

   (c)  Slot cash storage boxes removed from bill validators shall be transported directly to, and secured in, the count room or a trolley storage area located immediately adjacent thereto, configured and secured by a minimum of three employees, at least one of which is a member of the security department and at least one of which is a member of the finance department.

   (1)  Upon its removal from a bill validator, a slot cash storage box shall be placed immediately in an enclosed trolley which is secured by two separately keyed locks. The keys shall be maintained and controlled as follows:

   (i)  The key to one lock shall be maintained and controlled by the finance department.

   (ii)  The key to the second lock shall be maintained and controlled by the security department. Access to the security department's key shall be controlled, at a minimum, by a sign-out and sign-in procedure. The security department key shall be returned to its secure location immediately upon the completion of the collection and transportation of the slot cash storage boxes.

   (2)  Prior to the movement of any trolley containing slot cash storage boxes from the gaming floor into the count room, the drop team supervisor shall verify that the number of slot cash storage boxes being transported from the gaming floor equals the number of slot cash storage boxes scheduled to be collected that day.

   (3)  A slot cash storage box being replaced by an emergency slot cash storage box shall be transported to, and secured in, the count room by a minimum of three employees, at least one of which is a member of the finance department and at least one of which is a member of the security department.

   (d)  Slot cash storage boxes not contained in a bill validator, including emergency slot cash storage boxes that are not actively in use, shall be stored in the count room or other secure area outside the count room approved by the Board, in an enclosed storage cabinet or trolley and secured in the cabinet or trolley by a separately keyed, double locking system. The keys shall be maintained and controlled as follows:

   (1)  The key to one lock shall be maintained and controlled by the finance department.

   (2)  The key to the second lock shall be maintained and controlled by a security department. Access to the security department's key shall be limited to a supervisor of that department.

   (e)  Notwithstanding subsection (c), the security department may, immediately prior to the commencement of the count process, issue its key to the storage cabinet or trolley to a count room supervisor for the purpose of allowing count room personnel to gain access to the slot cash storage boxes to be counted. A key transferred from the custody of the security department to the count room supervisor shall be returned immediately following the conclusion of the count of the slot cash storage boxes and the return of the empty emergency drop boxes and slot cash storage boxes to their respective storage cabinet or trolley by the count room supervisor. The security department shall establish a sign-out and sign-in procedure which includes documentation of this transfer.

§ 465a.19.  Acceptance of tips or gratuities from patrons.

   Notwithstanding the requirements of § 461a.8(n) (relating to gaming vouchers), a key employee or gaming employee who serves in a supervisory position is prohibited from soliciting or accepting, and no other gaming employee may solicit, a tip or gratuity from a patron of the slot machine licensee where he is employed. The slot machine licensee may not permit any practices prohibited by this section.

§ 465a.20.  Personal check cashing.

   (a)  Personal checks accepted by a slot machine licensee under § 501.7 (relating to prohibition on check cashing) to enable a patron to take part in gaming must be:

   (1)  Drawn on a commercial bank, savings bank, saving and loan association or credit union and payable on demand.

   (2)  Drawn for a specific amount.

   (3)  Made payable to the slot machine licensee.

   (4)  Currently dated, but not postdated.

   (b)  Personal checks accepted under subsection (a) shall be presented by the patron directly to a slot cashier who shall:

   (1)  Restrictively endorse the check ''for deposit only'' to the bank account designated by the slot machine licensee.

   (2)  Initial the check.

   (3)  Date and time stamp the check.

   (4)  Verify that the signature of the patron on the personal check and the patron's physical appearance agree with information recorded in a patron signature file created and maintained by the slot machine licensee in accordance with subsection (c)  or with the signature and photograph or physical description contained on a government-issued identification presented by the patron. The slot cashier shall document how the signature verification was performed in connection with the acceptance of each personal check.

   (5)  For personal checks equaling or exceeding $500, verify the validity of the check directly with the commercial bank, savings bank, saving and loan association or credit union upon which it is drawn or obtain an authorization and guarantee of the check from a check verification and warranty service certified as a vendor by the Board. The slot cashier shall document how the check verification was performed in connection with the acceptance of each personal check.

   (6)  Immediately exchange the personal check for cash in an amount equal to the amount for which the check is drawn, not to exceed $2,500 per patron per gaming day.

   (c)  To record a patron's signature in a patron signature file, a slot cashier shall require the person for whom the file is to be created to present for examination the following:

   (1)  If the identity of the patron is to be confirmed in accordance with subsection (d)(1), one identification.

   (2)  If the identity of the patron is to be confirmed in accordance with subsection (d)(2), two forms of identification, at least one of which must contain a photograph or general physical description of the patron.

   (d)  Before a slot machine licensee may use a signature recorded in a patron signature file to verify the identity of a patron or the validity of a signature on a document, the slot machine licensee shall confirm the identity of the patron by either:

   (1)  Comparing the signature on the identification presented by the patron under subsection (c)(1)  with the signature obtained from the patron and verifying the address of the patron's residence with a credit bureau, commercial bank or, if neither of these sources has the person's address on file or will not provide the information, with an alternative source, which does not include any documentation presented by the patron at the cashiers' cage.

   (2)  Comparing the signature on each of two forms of the identification presented by the patron under subsection (c)(2) with the signature obtained from the patron and comparing the photograph or general physical description contained on at least one of the forms of identification with the patron's actual physical appearance.

   (e)  A patron signature file established and maintained by a slot machine licensee under subsection (c) must include, in addition to the patron's signature, the following:

   (1)  The patron's name.

   (2)  The address of the patron's residence.

   (3)  The types of identification examined under subsection (d) and an indication whether the identification contained a photograph or physical description of the patron.

   (4)  For the purposes of this section, a physical description of the patron which includes:

   (i)  Date of birth.

   (ii)  Approximate height.

   (iii)  Approximate weight.

   (iv)  Hair color.

   (v)  Eye color.

   (5)  The date and time that the patron signature file was established.

   (6)  The procedure by which the identity of the patron was confirmed under subsection (d), including:

   (i)  The source of confirmation, date and time if confirmed under subsection (d)(1).

   (ii)  The date and time of confirmation if confirmed under subsection (d)(2).

   (7)  The signature of the slot cashier or cashiers' cage supervisor who examined the identification of the patron and established the patron signature file. The signature will evidence that:

   (i)  The signature of the patron recorded in the patron signature file is consistent with the signature on each form of identification that was examined.

   (ii)  The physical description recorded in the patron signature file is consistent with both the actual appearance of the patron and any photograph or physical description that may be contained on an identification that was examined.

   (f)  Prior to accepting personal checks, each slot machine licensee shall establish a comprehensive system of internal controls applicable to the acceptance of personal checks. The internal controls shall be submitted to and approved by the Board under § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols). The internal controls submitted by the slot machine licensee must address procedures for complying with this section including the dollar limitation per gaming day contained in subsection (b)(6).

[Continued on next Web Page]



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.