PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 09-04-002.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amending WAC 230-15-455 Keeping funds to pay prizes, progressive jackpot prizes, and odds-based prizes.
Hearing Location(s): Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Drive, Vancouver, WA 98662, (360) 254-3100, on July 10, 2009, at 9:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: July 10, 2009.
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 July 1, 2009.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Gail Grate, executive assistant, by July 1, 2009, TTY (360) 486-3637 or (360) 486-3453.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The Recreational Gaming Association (RGA) requests that WAC 230-15-455 be amended to eliminate the requirement for house-banked card room licensees to maintain an amount equal to all individual odds-based wager prizes offered which are greater than $25,000 in a separate bank account. An "odds-based wager" means a wager where the player wins an amount over and above the amount he or she wagered if a fixed pattern or combination of cards occurs, for example, a royal flush, four aces, or a pair. Since the "odds-based wager" prize is incorporated in the minimum cash on hand calculation, there is no longer a need for these funds to be held in a separate bank account.
The proposed change would allow house-banked licensees who offer more than one individual odds-based wager prize greater than $25,000 to keep an amount equal to the second highest odds-based wager prize in a bank, mutual savings bank, or credit union in Washington state or possess a verifiable line of credit from a Washington state financial institution.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: See above.
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.
April 10, 2009
Susan Arland
Rules Coordinator
OTS-2279.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 608, filed 4/10/07,
effective 1/1/08)
WAC 230-15-455
Keeping funds to pay prizes, progressive
jackpot prizes, and odds-based wager prizes.
(1) House-banked
card game licensees must ensure that they have sufficient
funds available to pay prizes, progressive jackpot prizes and
odds-based wager prizes. An "odds-based wager" means a wager
where the player wins an amount over and above the amount he
or she wagered if a fixed pattern or combination of cards
occurs, for example, a royal flush, four aces, or a pair.
(2) Licensees must not offer card games until they have met all of these requirements:
(a) Progressive jackpot prizes.
(i) Keep a separate bank account for progressive jackpot
prizes ((and odds-based wager prizes)). The account must be
kept in a bank, mutual savings bank, or credit union located
in Washington state; ((and
(b) Keep in the account an amount equal to all individual odds-based wager prizes offered which are greater than twenty-five thousand dollars and all progressive jackpot prize funds; and
(c) Use the highest wager they allow to calculate the individual odds-based wager prize amount and determine the deposit requirement; and
(d))) (ii) Deposit ((at least weekly)) all funds accrued
for progressive jackpot prizes at least weekly; and
(iii) If the prize bank account is reduced below the level required, licensees must immediately stop operating games until they are in compliance.
(b) Odds-based wager prizes.
(i) Licensees offering more than one individual odds-based wager prize greater than twenty-five thousand dollars must keep an amount equal to the second highest odds-based wager prize offered in a bank, mutual savings bank, or a credit union located in Washington state; or possess a verifiable line of credit from a Washington state financial institution for at least the amount required; and
(ii) Use the highest wager they allow to calculate the individual odds-based wager prize amount to determine the amount for this requirement.
(3) Licensees may limit pay outs by using table and/or individual player aggregates.
(4) ((If the prize bank account is reduced below the
level required, licensees must immediately stop operating
games until they are in compliance.
(5))) A licensee's failure to keep funds as required in this rule is prima facie evidence of defrauding the public and a violation of RCW 9.46.190.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. 07-09-033 (Order 608), § 230-15-455, filed 4/10/07, effective 1/1/08.]