§ 461a.12. Progressive slot machines.
(a) A progressive slot machine may stand alone or be linked with other progressive slot machines.
(b) Each slot machine that offers a progressive jackpot must have:
(1) A progressive meter, visible from the front of the slot machine, which may increase in value based upon wagers, that advises the player of the amount which can be won if the player receives the combination on the slot machine that awards the progressive jackpot.
(2) A slot machine paid progressive payout meter in accordance with § 461a.7(g) (relating to slot machine minimum design standards).
(3) A slot attendant paid progressive payout meter in accordance with § 461a.7(g).
(4) A cumulative progressive payout meter that continuously and automatically records the total value of progressive jackpots paid directly by the slot machine or by a slot attendant.
(5) A key and key switch or other reset mechanism to reset the progressive meter or meters.
(6) A key locking the compartment housing the progressive meter or meters or other means by which to preclude any unauthorized alterations to the progressive meters. The key or alternative security method must be different than the key or reset mechanism in paragraph (5).
(7) If the progressive controller is not secured in a slot machine, the progressive controller:
(i) Must be maintained in a secure area approved by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations.
(ii) Must be dual key controlled with one key controlled by the slot operations department and the other key controlled by a different designated department with no incompatible functions, as specified in the licensee’s internal controls.
(iii) May not be accessed until the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations is electronically notified.
(c) In addition to the requirements in subsection (b), a slot machine that is connected to a common progressive meter for the purpose of offering the same progressive jackpot on two or more slot machines must:
(1) Have the same probability of hitting the combination that will award the progressive jackpot as every other slot machine linked to the common progressive meter.
(2) Require that the same amount in wager be invested to entitle the player to a chance at winning the progressive jackpot and that each increase in wager increment the progressive meter by the same rate of progression as every other slot machine linked to the common progressive meter.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c), two or more linked slot machines offering the same progressive jackpot may be of different denominations or have different wagers, or both, required to win the progressive jackpot, provided that:
(1) The probability of winning the progressive jackpot is directly proportional to the wager required to win that jackpot.
(2) Notice indicating the proportional probability of hitting the progressive jackpot on the linked progressive system is conspicuously displayed on each linked slot machine.
(e) A slot machine licensee seeking to utilize a linked slot machine shall submit for approval in accordance with § 461a.4 (relating to submission for testing and approval) the location and manner of installing any progressive meter display mechanism.
(f) A slot machine that offers a progressive jackpot may not be placed on the gaming floor until the slot machine licensee or, as applicable, the slot system operator, has submitted the following to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations for review and approval in accordance with § 461a.4:
(1) The initial and reset amounts at which the progressive meter or meters will be set.
(2) The proposed system for controlling the keys and applicable logical access controls to the slot machines.
(3) The proposed rate of progression for each progressive jackpot.
(4) The proposed limit for the progressive jackpot, if any.
(5) The calculated probability of winning each progressive jackpot. The probability may not exceed 50 million to 1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph does not apply to a jackpot with a probability that may exceed 50 million to 1 during the game cycle due solely to the intervening occurrence of free play awards between the activation of a play and the award of the jackpot.
(g) A slot machine that offers either a new progressive jackpot or undergoes a modification or RAM clear of an existing progressive jackpot may not be made available for play by the public until the slot machine has been tested and certified by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations. For purposes of this subsection, a modification includes any change in the software, hardware, including controllers, and any associated equipment that relates to progressive functionality.
(h) Progressive jackpot meters may not be turned back to a lesser amount unless one of the following occurs:
(1) The amount indicated has been actually paid to a winning patron and the progressive jackpot amount has been recorded in accordance with a system of internal controls approved under § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols).
(2) With written approval, the progressive jackpot has been transferred to another progressive slot machine or wide area progressive system in accordance with subsection (k)(4).
(3) The change is necessitated by a slot machine or meter malfunction. An explanation for the change shall be entered on the progressive slot summary required under this subpart and the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations shall be notified of the resetting in writing.
(i) Once an amount appears on a progressive meter, the probability of hitting the combination that will award the progressive jackpot may not be decreased unless the progressive jackpot has been won by a patron, has been transferred to another progressive slot machine or wide area progressive system or has been removed in accordance with subsection (k).
(j) When a slot machine has a progressive meter with digital limitations on the meter, the slot machine licensee shall set a limit on the progressive jackpot not to exceed the display capability of the progressive meter.
(k) A slot machine licensee or, as applicable, a slot system operator, may limit, transfer or terminate a progressive jackpot offered on a gaming floor only under the following circumstances:
(1) A slot machine licensee may establish a payout limit for a progressive jackpot provided that the payout limit is greater than the then current payout amount on the progressive jackpot meter. The slot machine licensee shall provide notice to and receive written approval from the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations prior to the imposition of a payout limit on a progressive meter or a modification thereto.
(2) A slot machine licensee may terminate a progressive jackpot concurrent with the winning of the progressive jackpot provided its slot machine program or progressive controller was configured prior to the winning of the progressive jackpot to establish a fixed reset amount with no progressive increment.
(3) A slot machine licensee may immediately and permanently remove one or more linked slot machines from a gaming floor, provided that:
(i) When the slot machine is part of a wide area progressive system offered at multiple licensed facilities, the slot machine licensee retains at least one linked slot machine offering the same progressive jackpot on its gaming floor.
(ii) When the progressive jackpot is only offered in a single licensed facility, at least two linked slot machines offering the same progressive jackpot remain on the gaming floor.
(4) A slot machine licensee may transfer a progressive jackpot amount on a stand alone slot machine or the common progressive jackpot on an entire link of slot machines with a common progressive meter, including a wide area progressive system, from a gaming floor provided the slot machine licensee receives written approval from the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations prior to the transfer and the accrued amount minus the seed amount of the progressive jackpot is:
(i) Transferred in its entirety.
(ii) Transferred to one of the following:
(A) The progressive meter for a slot machine or wide area progressive system with the same or similar probability of winning the progressive jackpot, the same or lower wager requirement to be eligible to win the progressive jackpot, and the same type of progressive jackpot (cash, annuity, annuity/cash option or a combination/alternate jackpot).
(B) The progressive meters of two separate slot machines or wide area progressive systems, provided that each slot machine or wide area progressive system to which the jackpot is transferred individually satisfies the requirements of clause (A).
(iii) Notice of intent to transfer the progressive jackpot is conspicuously displayed on the front of each slot machine for at least 30 days.
(5) If a transfer cannot be made in accordance with subsection (k)(4) or with good cause shown, a slot machine licensee may remove progressive functionality, change the game theme or permanently remove a stand alone progressive slot machine, an entire link of slot machines with a common progressive jackpot or an entire wide area progressive system from a gaming floor, provided:
(i) Notice of intent to remove the progressive slot machines or wide area progressive systems is conspicuously displayed on the front of each slot machine for at least 30 days.
(ii) Prior to posting the notice of intent required under subsection (k)(5)(i), the slot machine licensee receives written approval from the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations to remove the progressive slot machines or wide area progressive systems.
(l) Progressive slot machines and wide area progressive systems removed from the gaming floor in accordance with subsection (k)(5) may not be returned to the gaming floor for 90 days.
(m) The amount indicated on the progressive meter or meters and coin in meter on each slot machine governed by subsection (b) shall be recorded on a progressive slot summary report at least once every 7 calendar days and each report shall be signed by the preparer. If not prepared by the finance department, the progressive slot summary report shall be forwarded to the finance department by the end of the gaming day on which it is prepared. A representative of the finance department shall be responsible for calculating the correct amount that should appear on a progressive meter. If an adjustment to the progressive meters is necessary, the adjustment shall be made by a member of the slot operations department as follows:
(1) Supporting documentation shall be maintained to explain any addition or reduction in the registered amount on the progressive meter. The documentation must include the date, asset number of the slot machine, the amount of the adjustment and the signatures of the finance department member requesting the adjustment and of the slot operations department member making the adjustment.
(2) The adjustment must be effectuated within 48 hours of the meter reading.
(n) Except as otherwise authorized by this section, a slot machine offering a progressive jackpot that is temporarily removed from the gaming floor shall be returned to active play or replaced on the gaming floor within 5 gaming days. The amount on the progressive meter or meters on the returned or replacement slot machine may not be less than the amount on the progressive meter or meters at the time of removal. This subsection does not apply to the temporary removal by a slot machine licensee, for a period not to exceed 30 days, of all linked slot machines that are part of a particular wide area progressive system, provided that the progressive jackpot offered by the temporarily removed slot machines remains available on slot machines that are part of the same wide area progressive system in another licensed facility.
(o) When a slot machine is located adjacent to a slot machine offering a progressive jackpot, the slot machine licensee shall conspicuously display a notice advising patrons that the slot machine is not participating in the progressive jackpot of the adjacent slot machine.
Authority The provisions of this § 461a.12 amended under 4 Pa.C.S. § § 1202, 1207, 13A02(1), (2) and (4), 1320, 1322, 13A02(1)—(6), 13A25 and 1517.
Source The provisions of this § 461a.12 amended March 28, 2008, effective March 29, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 1474; amended September 25, 2009, effective September 26, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 5562; amended May 11, 2012, effective May 12, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 2585. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (349917) to (349918), (348391) to (348392) and (362047) to (362050).
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 810a.11 (relating to controls).
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