PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 07-05-020.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 230-20-508 Authorized amusement games -- Types, standards and classifications and 230-20-650 Amusement games -- Coin toss games.
Hearing Location(s): Hilton, 301 West 6th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660, (360) 993-4500, on August 10, 2007, at 9:30 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: August 10, 2007.
Submit Written Comments to: Susan Arland, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504-2400, e-mail Susana@wsgc.wa.gov, fax (360) 486-3625, by August 1, 2007.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Gail Grate, Executive Assistant, by August 1, 2007, TTY (360) 486-3637 or (360) 486-3447.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed change clarifies the size of the target or target areas used in coin/token toss amusement games.
Coin/token toss amusement games are games where players toss one or more coins or tokens onto a surface or into a target area. These types of games are primarily operated at carnivals and agricultural fairs. An example of a coin toss game is where a coin is tossed onto a colored area on a flat surface.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 9.46.070.
Statute Being Implemented: Not applicable.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington state gambling commission, governmental.
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, and/or the proposed rule change clarifies language of rules without changing the effect.
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 14, 2007
Susan Arland
Rules Coordinator
OTS-9719.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 94-01-036, filed 12/6/93,
effective 1/6/94)
WAC 230-20-508
Authorized amusement games -- Types,
standards and classifications.
The commission hereby
authorizes the following amusement games, whether coin
operated or not, to be operated by persons possessing a
commercial amusement game license, or bona fide charitable or
nonprofit organizations possessing a license issued by the
gambling commission or when conducted as authorized by RCW 9.46.0321 at an authorized location.
(1) In all amusement games, a merchandise prize must be awarded to the player, if the player is successful at achieving the objective of the game, with one cost of play.
(2) All amusement games operated within the state of Washington must meet the standards of at least one of the following classifications:
(a) Group I - Ball toss/kick games: The player throws or kicks a ball or balls in order to achieve a specified goal. Upon achieving the goal of the game, the player is awarded a prize.
(i) All balls for each game must be uniform in size and weight.
(ii) All targets for each game must be of the same weight and size or the operator must color code the target and advise the player of the difference in targets if the difference is not visible to the player.
(iii) No target may have a loose or floating weight.
(iv) The weight of any target will not exceed seven and one-half pounds.
(v) When the goal is to estimate the speed of the ball thrown or kicked, a minimum of three balls will be used to estimate the speed by the player and one ball for the actual throw or kick.
(vi) When ping pong or similar light weight balls are utilized in games requiring the ball to be tossed into a dish, saucer, cup or similar container, water must be placed in the bottom of each such container.
(b) Group II - Dart games: The player throws one or more darts into a target or target area. Upon successfully achieving a predetermined score, pattern, penetrating and/or breaking a target, or just sticking in the target, the player is awarded a prize.
(i) All darts must be uniform in size and in original condition with the point sharp or functional suction-cup darts and all feathers or tail sections intact.
(ii) The targets and target area for all dart games must be of a material capable of being penetrated and retaining a metal tip dart; or holding a suction-cup dart.
(iii) The target area will be in the rear of the stand and will be at least three feet but not more than fifteen feet from a foul line.
(iv) In "add em up games," when the player must achieve a predetermined score, all darts stuck on the lines will receive another throw. The player has the right to add up the score of the darts thrown.
(c) Group III - Hoop or ring toss games: The player must toss one or more hoops or rings over one or more targets which may consist of bottles, pegs, blocks, prizes, or any item capable of having a ring or hoop tossed over it.
(i) The operator must specifically advise the player as to the degree that the hoop(s) or ring(s) must go over the target.
(ii) All hoops or rings for each game must be uniform in size and shape and must be capable of going over the target.
(iii) All targets used at an individual stand must be the same size or the operator must disclose to the player by posting signs or using color codes to denote the different sizes.
(d) Group IV - Coin/token toss games: The player or players toss one or more coins or tokens onto a surface or into a target or target area. The game must have a clear and unobstructed thirty-six inch vertical airspace above the target, target area, or surface. The target, target area, or surface must be level. Any game which has a target or target area of four square inches or less must award a prize if any part of the coin or token is within the target or target area. "Four square inches" means a two-inch by two-inch square. The target area, at a minimum, must include a two-inch by two-inch square area. If the target does not include a two-inch by two-inch square area, such as a rainbow or star, a prize must be awarded if any part of the coin or token lands on any portion of the target area.
(e) Group V - Eye/hand coordination games: The player or players perform a task or tasks which requires the player to use the coordination between their hand(s) and eye(s) to successfully complete the task or tasks. The task or tasks may include one or a combination of the following:
(i) Striking a moving or fixed object or target to include a sequence of moving or fixed objects or targets;
(ii) Causing object(s) to be launched at target(s) from a device. The objects are aimed so they may land in, on, or through a target(s) to include catching or having the object(s) caught in the target(s);
(iii) Dropping object(s) onto target(s) or target area(s) or surface(s), to include covering the target(s), target area(s), or surface(s) with the object(s);
(iv) Capturing, lassoing, hooking, or getting a hold of an object(s) and causing them to move or change position;
(v) Guiding object(s) or images through a pattern, maze, or task;
(vi) Climbing on, over, through, or around object(s); or
(vii) Similar tasks.
(A) If a player is required to cover a spot or specific target area, then the target or target area must be a circular spot.
(I) The player must receive at least five circular discs to drop on the target or target area.
(II) The diameter of the circular discs used to cover the target or target area must be at least sixty-four percent of the diameter of the target spot or area.
(III) The target spot or area must be permanently affixed to a solid surface.
(B) A regulation billiard table, balls, and cue must be used for any game requiring a player to perform any task or tasks normally associated with playing billiards or pool.
(C) In games where objects are launched, tossed, or catapulted at target(s), the launching device shall respond in an identical manner on repetitive uses when an equal amount of force is applied or selected by the player.
(f) Group VI - Strength test games: The player(s) tests their own strength in performing a task or tasks for a predetermined number of times or length of time. This may include hand, arm, or whole body strength and may also require the player to use a tool or instrument to strike an object or target, which may cause the object to be propelled or travel a specific distance. The task(s) may require the object(s) to strike another object(s) to achieve the objective.
(g) Group VII - Crane games: The player, using one or more of a variety of control methods, maneuvers a crane or claw device into a position to attempt to retrieve a prize. All games must meet the following conditions:
(i) At least twenty seconds playing time per operation.
(ii) Crane or claw must be capable of reaching, picking up, and dispensing all prizes contained within the machine.
(iii) The controls for the machine must be clearly labelled as to their function.
(iv) Prizes must be loose and shall not be packed, arranged, lodged, or intertwined in the machine in any way which would prevent the prize from being picked up by the crane or claw and dispensed.
(h) Group VIII - Penny fall games: Penny fall games are electronic or electro-mechanical games in which:
(i) The player inserts a coin or token into a chute;
(ii) The player controls the direction the coin or token falls by aiming the chute;
(iii) The coin or token will land on a flat surface or surfaces which have a sweeper(s) and/or a pusher arm moving across the surface or surfaces;
(iv) The surfaces shall be level and contain similar coins or tokens;
(v) A carefully aimed coin or token will cause coins or tokens on the flat surface(s) to be pushed or swept into holes or chutes dispensing the tokens or awarding a set number of tickets to the player;
(vi) The game may contain additional factors which if properly negotiated or struck by a coin or token, will award additional tickets to the player;
(vii) The additional factor may be in the form of targets that when lit, grant the player bonus tickets when the coin or token passes over the target;
(viii) Any such additional targets or bonus opportunities must be activated prior to the player inserting the coin or token to start play and must remain activated for a period of time sufficient to allow the player to attempt to strike or negotiate the targets or bonus opportunities;
(ix) The skill of the player must be the determining factor in the outcome of the game; and
(x) Merchandise prizes may be placed on the coins, tokens, or other surfaces in the game and if the prize is pushed into a hole or chute then it is awarded to the player. All such prizes must fit into or down the hole or chute in the game which awards prizes to the player.
(i) Group IX - Ball roll down games: The player rolls one or more balls to a target or target area. Upon achieving the objective of the game, the player is awarded a prize.
(i) Ball roll down games may be either one player attempting to score a predetermined number of points by landing in a target or target area, or striking and/or knocking down a target or targets.
(ii) Ball roll down games may be more than one player attempting to score a predetermined number of points, striking and/or knocking down a target(s), or landing in a target area. The first player to accomplish the goal is awarded a prize.
(j) Group X - Shooting games: A game in which the player or players use a device to fire a projectile or projectiles to hit a target or targets. The projectiles may include pellets, BB's, corks, water, electronic beams, light beams, balls, or suction-cup darts. The targets may be stationary or mobile. The player or players may be required to:
(i) Completely shoot out or obliterate a target or portion thereof;
(ii) Hit a target or specific portion thereof; or
(iii) Hold an electronic beam, light beam, or water stream on a target or portion thereof to achieve a specific result.
(A) All safety requirements of the local city or county ordinances must be observed by the operator and player(s).
(B) A short range shooting gallery must give a player at least four shots to shoot out a target which has a diameter of one-quarter inch or less, or at least one shot per target which must be struck. Targets must be at least one-half inch square and may include a bullseye section which the player must shoot out without touching the outside of the target.
(C) Shoot-out-the-star games must give the player at least one hundred projectiles in an automatic type device to shoot out a star which is no more than one and one-quarter inch from point to point.
(D) Games may award a prize based upon the number of players participating and use a combined score to determine the winner.
(E) If suction-cup darts are used in the game, a player must receive another turn if the dart does not stick to the target area.
(F) If targets must be knocked over or off of a shelf, then the bases of the targets must be uniform front and rear.
(G) If a player is required to destroy or obliterate all or part of a target, then the player must have the right to visually inspect the target at the conclusion of the game.
(k) Group XI - Cake walks and fish pond games: Cake walks and fish ponds, as commonly known, are amusement games. Cake walks involve a number of players walking on a numbered or color-coded circle while music is played. When the music stops, the player's prize is determined by the number or color of the portion of the circle they are standing on. Fish ponds are games where players receive a prize every time they compete, by either hooking or capturing a fish or similar object floating in a pool of water with a number or symbol on the bottom of the fish or object which corresponds to a prize or the operator may place a prize directly onto the "line" or catching device of the player from behind a curtain or similar obstruction.
(3) All classifications of amusement games must be operated as either an attended amusement game as defined by WAC 230-02-511 or as a coin or token activated amusement game as defined by WAC 230-02-514.
(4) No amusement game shall award additional plays as a prize.
(5) Operators may introduce new games that meet the standards of the applicable classification without prior approval of the commission: Provided, That an operator must provide to the commission at least sixty days prior to such introduction a description of the game, the rules of play, and a justification for the classification selected: Provided, further, That upon notification by the director that the proposed game does not meet the selected classification, or otherwise violates a provision of law or commission rule, the game may not be introduced, or if already introduced, must be removed from play until its operation is brought into compliance with such law or rules. New games not falling within the classifications of this rule may be approved by the director for a twelve-month test period pending submission of a petition to amend the rule.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. 94-01-036, § 230-20-508, filed 12/6/93, effective 1/6/94.]
OTS-9716.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 114, filed 10/15/81)
WAC 230-20-650
Amusement games -- Coin toss games.
No
person licensed to conduct amusement games shall conduct any
such game within the state of Washington wherein the ability
of a player to win a prize depends upon causing a coin to land
within the confines of a space unless the following conditions
exist with respect to said game:
(1) There must exist an unobstructed air space, of at least thirty-six inches in height, above any surface upon which the landing of a coin will result in the awarding of a prize.
(2) Plates, spots, targets, etc. will not be inclined so as to give an advantage to the operator.
(3) If the area of an enclosed surface upon which the landing of a coin will result in the awarding of a prize is four square inches, or less, a prize must be awarded to any participant who causes a coin to land so that any part of said coin is within any part of said area. "Four square inches" means a two-inch by two-inch square. The target area, at a minimum, must include a two-inch by two-inch square area. If the target does not include a two-inch by two-inch square area, such as a rainbow or star, a prize must be awarded if any part of the coin or token lands on any portion of the target area.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.030(5). 81-21-033 (Order 114), § 230-20-650, filed 10/15/81; Order 55, § 230-20-650, filed 6/25/76.]