§ 501a.2. Compulsive and problem gambling plan.
(a) An applicant for a slot machine license shall submit a compulsive and problem gambling plan for review at the time of submission of the application. The plan must, at a minimum, contain the elements listed in subsection (d).
(b) The compulsive and problem gambling plan of an applicant for a slot machine license that has been approved to receive a slot machine license must be approved by the Director of OCPG. An applicant for a slot machine license who has been approved to receive a slot machine license will be notified in writing of any deficiencies in the plan and may submit revisions to the plan to the Director of OCPG. A slot machine licensee may not commence operations until the Director of OCPG approves the plan.
(c) Compliance with the plan approved under this chapter will be a condition of license renewal.
(d) A compulsive and problem gambling plan must include the following:
(1) The goals of the plan and procedures and timetables to implement the plan.
(2) The identification of the individual who will be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the plan.
(3) Policies and procedures including the following:
(i) The commitment of the licensee to train appropriate employees.
(ii) The duties and responsibilities of the employees designated to implement or participate in the plan.
(iii) The responsibility of patrons with respect to responsible gambling.
(iv) Procedures to identify patrons and employees with suspected or known compulsive and problem gambling behavior.
(v) Procedures for providing information to individuals regarding community, public and private treatment services, gamblers anonymous programs and similar treatment or addiction therapy programs designed to prevent, treat, or monitor compulsive and problem gamblers and to counsel family members.
(vi) Procedures for responding to patron requests for information regarding community, public and private treatment services, gamblers anonymous programs and similar treatment or addiction therapy programs designed to prevent, treat, or monitor compulsive and problem gamblers and to counsel family members. The provisions of this subsection do not create a duty for a slot machine licensee or its employees to refer compulsive and problem gamblers to qualified treatment professionals.
(4) The provision of printed material to educate patrons about compulsive and problem gambling and to inform them about treatment services available to compulsive and problem gamblers and their families. The slot machine licensee shall provide examples of the materials to be used as part of its plan, including signs required under § 501a.5 (relating to signage requirements), brochures and other printed material and a description of how the material will be disseminated.
(5) An employee training program as required under § 501a.3 (relating to employee training program), including training materials to be utilized and a plan for periodic reinforcement training.
(6) A certification process established by the slot machine licensee to verify that each employee has completed the training required by the plan.
(7) An estimation of the cost of development, implementation and administration of the plan.
(8) A list of community, public and private treatment services, gamblers anonymous programs and similar treatment or addiction therapy programs designed to prevent, treat, or monitor compulsive and problem gamblers and to counsel family members.
(9) Procedures to prevent underage gambling as required under § 513a.3(b) (relating to responsibilities of licensees, permittees, registrants and certification holders).
(10) Procedures to prevent excluded persons from gambling.
(11) Procedures to prevent intoxicated patrons from gambling.
(12) Details of outreach programs which the slot machine licensee intends to offer to employees and individuals who are not employees of the slot machine licensee.
(13) The plan for posting signs required under § 501a.5 within the licensed facility, containing gambling treatment information.
(e) A slot machine licensee shall also submit other policies and procedures the slot machine licensee intends to use beyond what is required under subsection (d) to prevent and raise awareness of compulsive and problem gambling.
(f) The Board may provide the plan submitted by the slot machine licensee to the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs or its successor agency for its use in administering the act. The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs or its successor agency may provide comments and recommendations to the OCPG and the licensee relating to the plan.
(g) A slot machine licensee shall submit amendments to the compulsive and problem gambling plan to the Director of OCPG for review and approval at least 30 days prior to the intended implementation date of the amendments. The slot machine licensee may implement the amendments on the 30th calendar day following the filing the amendments unless the slot machine licensee receives a notice under subsection (h) objecting to the amendments.
(h) If during the 30-day review period the Director of OCPG determines that the amendments may not promote the prevention of compulsive and problem gambling or assist in the proper administration of responsible gaming programs, the Director of OCPG may, by written notice to the slot machine licensee, object to the amendments. The objection will:
(1) Specify the nature of the objection and, when possible, an acceptable alternative.
(2) Direct that the amendments not be implemented until approved by the Director of OCPG.
(i) When amendments have been objected to under subsection (h), the slot machine licensee may submit revised amendments for review in accordance with subsections (g) and (h).
Authority The provisions of this § 501a.2 amended under 4 Pa.C.S. § § 1202(b)(15) and (30), 1207(2), (5), (8) and (9), 1212, 13A02(1) and (2), 13A26(c), 1509, 1516, 1518(a)(13) and 1602.
Source The provisions of this § 501a.2 amended November 7, 2014, effective November 8, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 7057; amended May 28, 2021, effective May 29, 2021, 51 Pa.B. 2966. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (375135) to (375136) and (392131) to (392132).
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 501a.3 (relating to employee training program); 58 Pa. Code § 501a.5 (relating to signage requirements); 58 Pa. Code § 501a.7 (relating to advertising); and 58 Pa. Code § 814a.3 (relating to compulsive and problem gambling plan).
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