PROPOSED RULES
Supplemental Notice to WSR 05-04-079.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 315-10 WAC, Instant games -- General rules, changes to the instant game rules allow the lottery to offer nontraditional types of instant games.
Hearing Location(s): Red Lion at the Park, West 303 North River Drive, Spokane, WA 98201, on May 12, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: May 12, 2005.
Submit Written Comments to: Ceil Buddeke, 814 East 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98506, e-mail Cbuddeke@walottery.com, fax (360) 586-6586, by May 6, 2005.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Joan Reuell by May 10, 2005, TTY (360) 586-0933.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Traditionally, the lottery's instant games have been "Scratch" games (involving paper tickets with a scratch-off coating). These rule amendments allow the lottery to offer other types of instant games (that do not involve a scratch-off coating).
Reasons Supporting Proposal: These amendments will offer our players a new way to play the lottery's instant games.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 67.70 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 67.70.040.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington's Lottery, public.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Ceil Buddeke, 814 East 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98506, (360) 664-4833.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed rule will not impose costs on industry businesses, and the lottery has not been asked to prepare a small business economic impact statement. See RCW 19.85.030.
A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Ceil Buddeke, 814 East 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98506, phone (360) 664-4833, fax (360) 586-6586, e-mail Cbuddeke@walottery.com.
March 30, 2005
Ceil Buddeke
Rules Coordinator
OTS-7817.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-08-067, filed 3/30/98,
effective 4/30/98)
WAC 315-10-010
Instant games -- Authorized -- Director's
authority.
It is the commission's intent to provide the
director broad authority in carrying out the following duties:
(1) The commission hereby authorizes the director to select, operate, and contract relating to and for the operation of instant games meeting the criteria set forth in this chapter.
(2) The director shall establish final instant game
specifications, including the determination of winning
tickets, in executed working papers or software requirement
specifications. The director shall keep ((executed working
papers on file at the headquarters office location and make
them)) the portions of these documents that are subject to
public disclosure available for one hundred eighty days after
the end of each game for public review during normal business
hours.
(3) The director or designee shall inform commission members of instant game development.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 67.70.040. 98-08-067, § 315-10-010, filed 3/30/98, effective 4/30/98; 97-04-047, § 315-10-010, filed 1/31/97, effective 3/3/97. Statutory Authority: 1982 2nd ex.s. c 7. 82-21-038 (Order 3), § 315-10-010, filed 10/15/82.]
(2) Instant game. A game in which a ticket is purchased
and ((upon removal of a latex covering on the front of the
ticket,)) the ticket bearer determines his or her winnings, if
any.
(3) Ticket bearer. The person who has signed the ticket or has possession of the unsigned ticket.
(4) Play symbols. The numbers or symbols appearing in
the designated areas ((under the removable covering)) on the
front of the ticket. Play symbols were formerly called play
numbers. Both terms shall have the same meaning.
(5) Your(s). The ticket bearer's play area or areas (for example, "your hand(s)," "your card(s)," or "your roll(s)").
(6) Their(s). The opponent's play area or areas (for example, "their card(s)," or "their roll(s)").
(7) Validation number. The multidigit number found on the ticket and on any ticket stub. There must be a validation number on the ticket or any stub.
(8) Working papers or software requirement
specifications. The documents providing production and
winning ticket specifications for each instant ticket game. ((Executed working papers (including amendments, if any) are
signed and dated by the lottery director.))
(9) Scratch game. ((Instant game as defined in
subsection (1) of this section.)) An instant game in which a
ticket is purchased and, upon removal of a scratch-off coating
on the front of the ticket, the ticket bearer determines his
or her winning, if any.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 67.70.040. 98-08-067, § 315-10-020, filed 3/30/98, effective 4/30/98; 97-04-047, § 315-10-020, filed 1/31/97, effective 3/3/97; 89-21-029, § 315-10-020, filed 10/10/89, effective 11/10/89; 86-01-060 (Order 83), § 315-10-020, filed 12/16/85; 84-05-008 (Order 51), § 315-10-020, filed 2/7/84. Statutory Authority: RCW 67.70.040 and 67.70.050. 83-05-029 (Order 14), § 315-10-020, filed 2/10/83. Statutory Authority: 1982 2nd ex.s. c 7. 82-21-038 (Order 3), § 315-10-020, filed 10/15/82.]
(1) Play field is generally the area ((under the latex
covering that players scratch off to reveal)) that may contain
play symbols, play symbol captions, prize symbols, prize
symbol captions, and validation numbers;
(2) Play spots are the specific areas ((under the latex
covering)) where play symbols are located;
(3) Play symbols are symbols, letters, or numbers appearing in each play spot of a ticket;
(4) Play symbol captions are small printed characters
generally associated with each play symbol ((appearing)) which
may appear on the play field ((which)) and correspond with and
verify that play symbol. These captions spell out, in full or
abbreviated form, the play symbol. There is only one play
symbol caption for each play symbol, and each play symbol
caption is associated with the three-digit ticket number;
(5) Prize symbols ((are)) may be numeric or symbolic
representations, printed either in a display printed prize
legend or on the play field, which indicate the amount of
money a player may win;
(6) Prize symbol captions ((are)) may be small printed
characters generally associated with each prize symbol
appearing on the play field which correspond to and verify
that prize symbol. The prize symbol caption is a spelling
out, in full or abbreviated form, of the prize symbol;
(7) Validation number is a unique multidigit number on
the ((front of the)) ticket ((that appears under the removable
latex covering and is identified as "val. no."));
(8) Pack-ticket number is a ((thirteen-digit number of
the form XXXXXXXXX-X-XXX printed on the back of the ticket. The first three digits are the game identifier. The first
nine digits of the pack-ticket number constitute the "pack
number," which starts at XXX000001; the last three digits
constitute the "ticket number," which starts at 000 and
indicates the ticket's position within each pack of tickets))
number that may include the game, pack and ticket identifier;
(9) Retailer verification code ((consists of small
letters found under the removable covering on the front of the
ticket which the lottery retailer uses to verify instant
winners of $600.00 or less. A retailer verification code for
a winning ticket of a particular game is a unique multiple
letter code which corresponds to the prize value of the ticket
for that game. Each letter of the code appears in varying
locations beneath the removable latex covering on the front of
the ticket)) is the code on the ticket that the lottery
retailer uses to verify instant winners; and
(10) Odds of winning shall always appear on the back of the ticket.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 67.70.040. 97-04-047, § 315-10-022, filed 1/31/97, effective 3/3/97.]
[Statutory Authority: RCW 67.70.040. 98-08-067, § 315-10-023, filed 3/30/98, effective 4/30/98.]
(a) Higher number. Your (the player's) number is greater than their number.
(b) Match one or more. Match your play symbols to the winning play symbol(s).
(c) Bonus play. ((Uncover)) Find a bonus symbol to win a
bonus prize instantly.
(d) Match two or more consecutive. Match two or more consecutive "Game Cards" within a game to the "Draw Cards" to win the corresponding amount shown on the ticket.
(e) Match two or more. Match two or more "Game Cards" within a game to the "Draw Cards" to win the corresponding amount shown on the legend on the ticket.
(f) Three like cards. Get three like cards with one hand to win the corresponding amount shown on the ticket.
(g) Grand prize drawing. ((Uncover)) Find a bonus symbol
that qualifies you to enter a grand prize drawing or submit
one or more nonwinning tickets to enter a grand prize drawing.
(h) Match symbols. ((Uncover)) Match a specified number
of identical play symbols on a play area.
(i) Add up "yours." Add up the play symbols designated as "yours" and the total is greater than, less than or equal to the symbol or symbols designated as "theirs."
(j) Add up. Add up the play symbols and the amount is greater than or equal to the designated symbols on the ticket.
(k) Tic tac toe. ((Uncover)) Match three identical play
symbols, in a row, column, or diagonal, on a ((9 symbol)) grid
((on)) in the play area.
(l) Sequence. ((Uncover)) Find the designated play
symbols in the specified sequential order.
(m) Spellout. ((Uncover)) Find the play symbols to form
the designated word or words.
(n) In between. ((Uncover)) Find the play symbol or
symbols designated as "yours" with a value less than the play
symbol or symbols designated as "their high ((card)) value"
and greater than the play symbol or symbols designated as
"their low ((card)) value."
(2) Each of the methods described in subsection (1) of this section may include a special variant such as "automatic win feature," "doubler," "wild card," or "free space" that provides added or alternative methods of winning.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 67.70.040. 98-08-067, § 315-10-024, filed 3/30/98, effective 4/30/98.]
(2) There is no required frequency of drawing or method of selection of a winner in an instant game.
(3) At the director's discretion, an instant game may include a grand prize drawing(s). The criteria for the grand prize drawing shall be as follows:
(a) Finalists for a grand prize drawing shall be selected
in an elimination drawing(s) from ((redeemed)) tickets meeting
the criteria stated on the ticket and in executed working
papers ((on file at lottery headquarters)) or software
requirement specifications or stated in lottery promotional
materials, at the discretion of the director. Participation
in the elimination drawing(s) shall be limited to such tickets
((which)) that are actually received or ticket information is
actually received and validated by the director on or before a
date to be announced by the director. The director may
reserve the right to place any semi-finalist whose entry was
not entered in the elimination drawing(s) and who is
subsequently determined to have been entitled to such entry
into an elimination drawing of a subsequent instant game, and
the determination of the director shall be final.
(b) The number of prizes and the amount of each prize in the grand prize drawing(s) shall be determined by the director to correspond with the size and length of the instant game and to comply with subsection (1) of this section.
(c) The dates and times as well as the procedures for conducting the elimination drawing and grand prize drawing shall be determined by the director.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 67.70.040. 98-08-067, § 315-10-030, filed 3/30/98, effective 4/30/98; 97-04-047, § 315-10-030, filed 1/31/97, effective 3/3/97; 94-03-020, § 315-10-030, filed 1/7/94, effective, see WAC 315-04-180; 89-21-029, § 315-10-030, filed 10/10/89, effective 11/10/89; 88-17-024 (Order 111), § 315-10-030, filed 8/11/88; 85-22-057 (Order 81), § 315-10-030, filed 11/5/85; 85-16-031 (Order 77), § 315-10-030, filed 7/30/85; 85-09-004 (Order 72), § 315-10-030, filed 4/5/85; 84-05-008 (Order 51), § 315-10-030, filed 2/7/84; 83-16-029 (Order 30), § 315-10-030, filed 8/27/83. Statutory Authority: 1982 2nd ex.s. c 7 § 4. 83-03-034 (Order 10), § 315-10-030, filed 1/14/83. Statutory Authority: 1982 2nd ex.s. c 7. 82-21-038 (Order 3), § 315-10-030, filed 10/15/82.]
[Statutory Authority: RCW 67.70.040. 97-04-047, § 315-10-035, filed 1/31/97, effective 3/3/97.]
[Statutory Authority: RCW 67.70.040. 86-01-060 (Order 83), § 315-10-040, filed 12/16/85. Statutory Authority: 1982 2nd ex.s. c 7. 82-21-038 (Order 3), § 315-10-040, filed 10/15/82.]
(2) In order to participate in a grand prize drawing in
which the entry is the submittal of one or more winning or
nonwinning tickets, a player must redeem and submit such a
ticket or tickets or ticket information within the time limits
set forth in chapter ((315-11)) 315-06 WAC governing the
conduct of that specific game.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 67.70.040. 97-04-047, § 315-10-055, filed 1/31/97, effective 3/3/97.]
(a) The ticket must have been issued by the director in an authorized manner.
(b) The ticket must not be altered, unreadable, or tampered with in any manner.
(c) The ticket must not be counterfeit in whole or in part.
(d) The ticket must not be stolen nor appear on any list of omitted tickets on file with the lottery.
(e) The ticket must be complete and not blank or partially blank, miscut, misregistered, defective, or printed or produced in error.
(f) If play symbol and play symbol captions are present
in the playfield, the ticket must have at least one play
symbol and at least one play symbol caption under each play
spot. ((These elements)) Play symbols must be present in
their entirety, legible, right-side up, and not reversed in
any manner.
(g) The ticket must have at least one pack-ticket number
or serial number, exactly one retailer verification code, and
exactly one validation number. These elements must be present
in their entirety, legible, ((right-side up,)) and not
reversed in any manner.
(h) The validation number of an apparent winning ticket shall appear on the lottery's official list of validation numbers of winning tickets; and a ticket with that validation number shall not have been previously paid.
(i) The ticket must pass all additional confidential validation requirements, if any, established by the director.
(2) The director may authorize reconstruction of an
alleged winning ticket which was not received and/or cannot be
located by the lottery; provided, that the person requesting
reconstruction submits to the lottery sufficient evidence to
enable reconstruction and that they have submitted a claim for
the prize, if any, for that ticket. If the reconstructed
ticket is a winning ticket and meets the validation
requirements contained in subsection (1) of this section and
the specific validation requirements contained in the rules
for its specific game, the director may authorize payment of
the prize; provided, that the ticket shall not be validated
nor the prize paid prior to ((the)) one hundred
((eighty-first)) eighty days following the official end of
that instant game. A ticket(s) validated pursuant to this
subsection shall not entitle the claimant entry into the grand
prize drawing, if any, for that or any subsequent instant
game.
(3) Any ticket not passing all the validation requirements in subsection (1) of this section and the specific validation requirements contained in the rules for its specific game is invalid and ineligible for any prize.
(4) The director may replace any invalid ticket with an unplayed ticket of equivalent sales price from any current instant game. In the event a defective ticket is purchased, the only responsibility or liability of the lottery shall be the replacement of the defective ticket with an unplayed ticket of equivalent sales price from any current instant game, or issue a refund of the sales price. However, if the ticket is partially mutilated or if the ticket is not intact but it still can be validated by other validation tests, the director may pay the prize for that ticket.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 67.70.040. 97-04-047, § 315-10-070, filed 1/31/97, effective 3/3/97; 85-16-031 (Order 77), § 315-10-070, filed 7/30/85; 84-22-047 (Order 68), § 315-10-070, filed 11/7/84.]
(1) To claim an instant game prize of $600.00 or less the
claimant may either ((may)) present the apparent winning
ticket to any lottery retailer regardless of where the ticket
was purchased, or may present the apparent winning ticket to
the lottery by mail or in person. When a retailer is
presented with a claim under this section, the retailer shall
verify the claim and, if acceptable, make payment of the
amount due the claimant. The prizes shall be paid during all
normal business hours of that retailer provided that claims
can be validated on the lottery's ((instant ticket scanner))
terminal. The retailer shall not charge the claimant any fee
for payment of the prize or for cashing a business check drawn
on the retailer's account.
(2) In the event the retailer cannot verify the claim,
the claimant shall present a claim to the lottery by mail or
in person. If the claim is validated by the lottery, ((a
check)) funds shall be forwarded to the claimant in payment of
the amount due. In the event that the claim is not validated
by the director, the claim shall be denied and the claimant
shall be promptly notified.
(3) To claim an instant prize of more than $600.00, the
claimant shall complete a claim form, as provided in WAC 315-06-120, which is obtained from the lottery retailer or the
lottery and mail or present in person the completed form
together with the apparent winning ticket to the lottery. Upon validation by the director, ((a check)) funds shall be
((mailed)) forwarded or presented to the claimant in payment
of the amount due, less any applicable federal income tax
withholding and deductions pursuant to RCW 67.70.255 and WAC 315-06-125. In the event that the claim is not validated by
the director, the claim shall be denied and the claimant shall
be promptly notified.
(4) To claim an instant prize pursuant to WAC 315-10-070(2), the claimant shall notify the lottery of the
claim and request reconstruction of the ticket not later than
one hundred eighty days after the official end of that instant
game or one hundred eighty days from purchase of a computer
generated ticket. If the director authorizes reconstruction,
the ticket shall not be validated nor the prize paid prior to
((the)) one hundred ((eighty-first)) eighty days following the
official end of that instant game or one hundred eighty days
from purchase of a computer generated ticket. A ticket(s)
validated pursuant to WAC 315-10-070(2) shall not entitle the
claimant entry into the grand prize drawing, if any, for that
or any subsequent instant game.
(5) Any ticket not passing all the validation checks specified by the director is invalid and ineligible for any prize and shall not be paid. However, the director may, solely at his or her option, replace an invalid ticket with an unplayed ticket (or tickets of equivalent sales price from any other current game). In the event a defective ticket is purchased, the only responsibility or liability of the director shall be the replacement of the defective ticket with another unplayed ticket (or tickets of equivalent sale price from any other current game).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 67.70.040. 97-04-047, § 315-10-075, filed 1/31/97, effective 3/3/97.]