§ 461a.7. Slot machine minimum design standards.
(a) A slot machine may not be set to pay out less than the theoretical payout percentage, which may not be less than 85%, calculated using the lowest possible wager that could be played for any single play, or equal or exceed 100%, calculated using the highest eligible wager available. The theoretical payout percentage for the total value of slot machine wagers will be calculated using the following:
(1) The defined set of all symbols that will be displayed using spinning reels or video displays, or both.
(2) The finite set of all possible combinations which shall be known as the cycle of the game. All possible combinations in a slot machine cycle shall be independent of each other and of all possible combinations from cycles in other slot machines.
(3) The value of each winning combination that corresponds with the set from paragraph (2) which, whether by reason of skill or application of the element of chance or both, may deliver or entitle the person or persons playing the slot machine to a jackpot.
(4) A payout of merchandise or anything of value provided a cash equivalent award for the merchandise is offered. The value of the cash equivalent will contribute to the calculation of the theoretical payout percentage.
(5) A payout in the form of an annuity will contribute to the calculation of the theoretical payout percentage by dividing the initial or reset amount of the jackpot payout by the number of years over which the jackpot will be paid.
(6) The odds of any winning combination may not exceed 50 million to 1.
(b) The calculation of the theoretical payout percentage will not include:
(1) The amount of any progressive jackpot in excess of the initial or reset amount.
(2) A cash or noncash complimentary issued under § 465a.7 (relating to complimentary services or items).
(c) A play offered by a slot machine may not have a theoretical payout percentage which is less than, when calculated to one hundredth of a percentage point, the theoretical payout percentage for any other play offered by that slot machine which is activated by a slot machine wager in a lesser amount than the slot machine wager required for that play. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the theoretical payout percentage of one or more particular plays may be less than the theoretical payout percentage of one or more plays which require a lesser wager provided that:
(1) The aggregate total of the decreases in the theoretical payout percentage for plays offered by the slot machine is not more than 1/2 of 1%.
(2) The theoretical payout percentage for every play offered by the slot machine is equal to or greater than the theoretical payout percentage for the play that requires the lowest possible wager that will activate the slot machine.
(d) The selection from the set of all possible combinations of symbols shall be made applying a pseudo random number generator. At a minimum, a pseudo random number generator must adhere to the following criteria:
(1) The random selection process must meet a 95% confidence interval.
(2) A random number generator must pass a standard chi-squared test for goodness of fit.
(3) Each possible slot machine combination which produces winning or losing slot machine outcomes must be available for random selection at the initiation of each play.
(4) A slot machine payout percentage that may be affected by reason of skill must meet the theoretical payout requirements of this subpart when evaluated by the Board using a method of play that will provide the greatest return to the player.
(5) Once a random selection process has occurred, the slot machine must:
(i) Display an accurate representation of the randomly selected outcome.
(ii) Not make a secondary decision which affects the result shown to the person playing the slot machine.
(e) A slot machine is prohibited from automatically altering any function of the slot machine based on internal computation of the hold percentage.
(f) The available winning combinations and applicable rules of play for a slot machine shall be available at all times the slot machine is idle to the patron playing the slot machine. The award schedule of available winning combinations may not include possible aggregate awards achievable from free plays. A slot machine that includes a strategy choice must provide mathematically sufficient information for a patron to use optimal skill. Information regarding a strategy choice need not be made available for any strategy decisions whenever the patron is not required, in addition to the initial wager, to make an additional wager and, when as a result of playing a strategy choice, the patron can not lose any credits earned thus far during that game play.
(g) Slot machines approved for use in a licensed facility must be equipped with the following meters that comply with the technical standards adopted by the Board and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board’s website:
(1) Coin in. A meter that accumulates the total value of all wagers, whether the wager results from the insertion of currency, gaming vouchers, coupons, downloaded credits, credits won or any other means. This meter must:
(i) Not include subsequent wagers of intermediate winnings accumulated during game play sequence such as those acquired from ‘‘double up’’ games.
(ii) For multigame and multidenomination/multigame slot machines, monitor the information necessary, on a per paytable basis, to calculate a weighted average actual payout percentage.
(2) Coin out. A meter that accumulates the total value of all amounts directly paid by the slot machine as a result of winning wagers, whether the payout is made directly from the printer by issuance of a gaming voucher, directly to a credit meter or by any other means. This meter may not record amounts awarded as the result of an external bonusing system or a progressive payout.
(3) Attendant paid jackpots. A meter that accumulates the total value of credits paid by an attendant resulting from a single winning alignment or combination, the amount of which is not capable of being paid by the slot machine itself. This meter may not record amounts awarded as the result of an external bonusing system or a progressive payout. This meter is to record only amounts specifically listed in the manufacturer’s par sheet.
(4) Attendant paid cancelled credits. A meter that accumulates the total value of all amounts paid by an attendant resulting from a player initiated cash-out that exceeds the physical or configured capability of the slot machine.
(5) Bill in. A meter that accumulates the total value of currency accepted. The slot machine must also have a specific meter for each denomination of currency accepted that records the number of bills accepted for each denomination.
(6) Voucher in—cashable/value. A meter that accumulates the total value of cashable gaming vouchers accepted by the slot machine.
(7) Voucher in—cashable/count. A meter that accumulates the total number of cashable gaming vouchers accepted by a slot machine.
(8) Voucher out—cashable/value. A meter that accumulates the total value of cashable gaming vouchers issued by the slot machine.
(9) Voucher out—cashable/count. A meter that records the total number of cashable gaming vouchers issued by a slot machine.
(10) Voucher out—noncashable/value. A meter that accumulates the total value of noncashable gaming vouchers issued by the slot machine.
(11) Voucher out—noncashable/count. A meter that records the total number of noncashable gaming vouchers issued by the slot machine.
(12) Cashable electronic in. A meter that accumulates the total value of cashable credits electronically transferred to the slot machine by means of an external connection between the slot machine and a cashless funds transfer system.
(13) Noncashable electronic in. A meter that accumulates the total value of noncashable credits electronically transferred to the slot machine by means of an external connection between the slot machine and a cashless funds transfer system.
(14) Coupon in—cashable/value. A meter that accumulates the total value of cashable coupons accepted by the slot machine.
(15) Coupon in—cashable/count. A meter that accumulates the total number of cashable coupons accepted by the slot machine.
(16) Coupon in—noncashable/value. A meter that accumulates the total value of noncashable coupons accepted by the slot machine.
(17) Coupon in—noncashable/count. A meter that accumulates the total number of noncashable coupons accepted by the slot machine.
(18) Slot machine paid external bonus payout. A meter that accumulates the total value of additional amounts awarded as a result of an external bonusing system and paid by the slot machine.
(19) Attendant paid external bonus payout. A meter that accumulates the total value of additional amounts awarded as a result of an external bonusing system and paid by a slot attendant.
(20) Slot machine paid progressive payout. A meter that accumulates the total value of credits paid as a result of progressive awards paid directly by the slot machine. This meter may not record awards paid as a result of an external bonusing system.
(21) Attendant paid progressive payout. A meter that accumulates the total value of credits paid by a slot attendant as a result of progressive awards that are not capable of being paid by the slot machine. This meter may not include awards paid as a result of an external bonusing system.
(22) Additional requirements. Other meters required by technical standards adopted by the Board and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board’s website.
(h) A slot machine that does not meter one or more of the events required to be metered under subsection (g) may be approved where a slot machine licensee’s system of internal controls establishes that the meter is not required to capture all critical transactions occurring on the slot machine.
(i) The meters required under subsection (g) must continuously and automatically increment in units equal to the denomination of the slot machine or, in the case of a slot machine configured for multidenomination play, must display the required information in dollars and cents.
(j) A slot machine approved for use in a licensed facility must be equipped with the following noncumulative meters:
(1) Credits wagered. A meter, visible from the front exterior of a slot machine, known as a credit wagered meter that advises the patron of the total value of amounts wagered in a particular game or round of slot play.
(2) Win meter. A meter, visible from the front exterior of the slot machine, known as a win meter that advises the patron of the total value of amounts won in the immediately concluded game or round of slot play.
(3) Credits paid. A meter, visible from the front exterior of the slot machine, known as a credits paid meter that advises the patron of the total value of the last:
(i) Cash out initiated by the patron.
(ii) Attendant paid jackpot.
(iii) Attendant paid cancelled credit.
(4) Credit meter. A meter, visible from the front exterior of the slot machine and specifically labeled as a credit meter, which advises the patron as to the number of credits or monetary value available for wagering on the slot machine. The credit meter need not distinguish between cashable credits and noncashable credits.
(k) A slot machine must have a meter which stores the number of games played, in the manner and for a duration specified in this subpart or in technical standards adopted by the Board and published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board’s website, since the following events:
(1) Power reset.
(2) Door close.
(3) Game initialization (random access memory (RAM) clear).
(l) A slot machine must be equipped with a device, mechanism or method for retaining the total value of all meters required under subsection (g) for 72 hours subsequent to a power loss.
(m) The required meters on a slot machine must be accessible and legible without access to the interior of the slot machine.
(n) A slot machine must be equipped with a tower light capable of effectively communicating the status of the slot machine in accordance with technical standards on tower lights and error conditions under § 461b.2 (relating to slot machine tower lights and error conditions).
(o) A slot machine must be equipped with a device, mechanism or method for detecting, displaying and communicating to a slot monitoring system error conditions. The error conditions detected, displayed and communicated by a slot machine, and the method to be utilized to clear the message with regard to the error condition, must be in accordance with technical standards on tower lights and error conditions under § 461b.2.
(p) A slot machine must, in accordance with section 1324 of the act (relating to protocol information), comply with the comprehensive protocol specifications necessary to enable the slot machine to communicate with the Department’s central control computer as that protocol is amended or supplemented, for the purpose of transmitting auditing program information, real time information retrieval and slot machine activation and disabling.
(q) A slot machine must lock up and preclude further play whenever a jackpot occurs that is not able to be paid completely by the slot machine and requires a hand pay. When the jackpot occurs, the slot machine can offer a predetermined number of double-up wagers before the slot machine locks up.
(r) Printers incorporated into a slot machine must be:
(1) Designed to allow the slot machine to detect and report a low paper level, paper out, presentation error, printer failure and paper jams.
(2) Mounted inside a lockable compartment within the slot machine.
(s) Seating made available by a slot machine licensee for use during slot play may be fixed and stationary or nonfixed. When fixed and stationary seating is used, it must be installed in a manner that effectively precludes its ready removal by a patron but permits controlled removal, for example for American With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) (42 U.S.C.A. § § 12101—12213) purposes, by slot operations department personnel. When nonfixed seating is used, the slot machine licensee shall:
(1) Maintain a minimum aisle width of 48 inches, measured from the seat back to seat back when the nonfixed seating is vacant and is touching or is as close as possible to the slot machine at which the nonfixed seating is being used.
(2) Provide to the Bureau of Gaming Operations copies of a certification obtained from the local building code or fire safety officials or a certification from an architect registered in this Commonwealth that the use of the nonfixed seating complies with applicable building and fire safety code requirements.
(t) Unless a slot machine licensee’s slot monitoring system is configured to automatically record all of the information required by this subsection, the slot machine licensee shall be required to physically house in each slot machine the following entry authorization logs:
(1) A machine entry authorization log that documents each time a slot machine or any device connected thereto which may affect the operation of the slot machine is opened. The log must contain, at a minimum, the date, time, purpose for opening the slot machine or device and the signature and license or permit number of the person opening and entering the slot machine or device. Each log must have recorded thereon a sequence number and the manufacturer’s serial number or the asset number corresponding to the slot machine in which it is housed.
(2) A progressive entry authorization log that documents each time a progressive controller not housed within the cabinet of the slot machine is opened. The log must contain, at a minimum, the date, time, purpose for accessing the progressive controller and the signature and license or permit number of the person accessing the progressive controller. Each log must be maintained in the progressive controller unit and have recorded thereon a sequence number and the manufacturer’s serial number of the progressive controller.
(u) A slot machine must be equipped with a lock controlling access to the card cage door securing the microprocessor, the key to which must be different from any other key securing access to the slot machine’s components including its belly door or main door, bill validator or slot cash storage box. Access to the key securing the microprocessor shall be limited to a supervisor in the slot operations department, and that department shall establish a sign out and sign in procedure with regard to this key.
(v) A slot machine must be equipped with a mechanism for detecting and communicating to a slot monitoring system any activity with regard to access to the card cage door securing its microprocessor.
(w) A slot machine that does not require a full-time attendant for operation must be equipped with a service button designed to allow the player of a slot machine to request assistance. The service button must:
(1) Be visible to and within easy reach of the player of the slot machine.
(2) Communicate directly or through the slot machine to the slot machine’s tower light which will provide a signal that is in compliance with the technical standards on slot machine tower lights under § 461b.2.
(x) A 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.
(y) A slot machine on the gaming floor must have a label on the top of the slot machine and on the front of the slot machine near the bill validator that displays the asset number and the gaming floor plan location number of the slot machine. The labels must have white lettering on a black background or other color combination approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations, may not be easily removed and must be easily visible to the surveillance department. The label on the top of the slot machine must be at least 1.5 inches by 5.5 inches and the label on the front of the slot machine must be at least 1 inch by 2.5 inches or other sizes approved by the Bureau of Gaming Operations.
Authority The provisions of this § 461a.7 amended under 4 Pa.C.S. § § 1202, 1205, 1206(f) and (g), 1207, 1208(1)(iii), 1209(b), 1212, 1213, 1320, 1321, 1322, 13A11, 13A12—13A14, 13A15, 1517 and 1802 and Chapter 13.
Source The provisions of this § 461a.7 amended March 28, 2008, effective March 29, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 1744; amended October 10, 2008, effective October 11, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 5652; amended September 25, 2009, effective September 26, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 5562; amended February 26, 2010, effective February 27, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 1082; amended May 14, 2010, effective May 15, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 2535; amended June 12, 2015, effective June 13, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 2829. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (370309) to (370310), (348375) to (348376), (349905) to (349906) and (370311) to (370312).
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 461a.12 (relating to progressive slot machines); 58 Pa. Code § 461a.20 (relating to server supported slot systems); 58 Pa. Code § 810a.5 (relating to random number generator standards); and 58 Pa. Code § 810a.11 (relating to controls).
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