PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 08-08-088.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 230-15-140 Wagering limits for house-banked card games.
Hearing Location(s): Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel/Convention Center, 201 North Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801, on August 15, 2008, at 9:30 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: August 15, 2008.
Submit Written Comments to: Susan Arland, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504-2400, e-mail Susan2@wsgc.wa.gov, fax (360) 486-3625, by August 1, 2008.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Gail Grate, executive assistant, by August 1, 2008, TTY (360) 486-3637 or (360) 486-3453.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The commission filed a petition for rule change submitted by the Recreational Gaming Association (RGA) requesting to increase the maximum amount of a:
1. Single wager or bonus wager for an odds-based pay out from $200 to $500; and
2. Bonus wager for progressive jackpots from $1 to $500 or to limits imposed by a manufacturer's game rules.
The RGA states that Tribal casinos are authorized to offer $500 betting limits while house-banked card room licensees have been held to a lower level of $200 limits. The RGA states that the strict regulations and controls required in security, surveillance and licensing of employees in these establishments are more than adequate to protect the public.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 9.46.070.
Statute Being Implemented: Not applicable.
Name of Proponent: Recreational Gaming Association, private.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Susan Arland, Rules Coordinator, Lacey, (360) 486-3466; Implementation: Rick Day, Director, Lacey, (360) 486-3446; and Enforcement: Mark Harris, Assistant Director, Lacey, (360) 486-3579.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. A small business economic impact statement has not been prepared pursuant to RCW 19.85.025 because the change would not impose additional costs on businesses.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The Washington state gambling commission is not an agency that is statutorily required to prepare a cost-benefit analysis under RCW 34.05.328.
May 16, 2008
Susan Arland
Rules Coordinator
OTS-1559.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 608, filed 4/10/07,
effective 1/1/08)
WAC 230-15-140
Wagering limits for house-banked card
games.
(1) A single wager or a bonus wager for an odds-based
pay out must not exceed ((two)) five hundred dollars.
(2) A player may make a single wager for each decision before the dealer deals or reveals additional cards. For Blackjack, the player may place an additional wager for doubling down or splitting pairs.
(3) Bonus wagers for progressive jackpots must not exceed
((one dollar)) manufacturer's rules or limits listed in
subsection (1) of this section.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. 07-09-033 (Order 608), § 230-15-140, filed 4/10/07, effective 1/1/08.]