[Filed August 1, 2023, 4:03 p.m., effective September 1, 2023]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: The amended rule would allow the connection of more than one progressive jackpot on different card games.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 230-15-685 Restrictions on progressive jackpots.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 9.46.070.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-11-107 on May 19, 2023.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: August 1, 2023.

Legislative and Policy Manager

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-11-057, filed 5/14/21, effective 6/14/21)

WAC 230-15-685Restrictions on progressive jackpots.

House-banked card room licensees operating progressive jackpots must follow these restrictions and procedures:

(1) Progressive jackpot funds must accrue according to the rules of the game.

(2) At each gambling table, licensees must prominently post the amount of the progressive jackpot that players can win along with any associated pay tables.

(3) Licensees may establish a maximum limit on a progressive jackpot prize. If licensees establish a limit, they must make the amount equal to, or greater than, the amount of the jackpot when they imposed the limit. They must prominently post a notice of the limit at or near the game.

(4) Licensees may connect progressive jackpots. Progressive jackpots are considered "connected" when jackpot prize displays at gaming tables incrementally increase at the same time after players place jackpot wagers. Connected progressive jackpot displays must show the same prize amounts. Licensees may only connect progressive jackpots:

(a) When offered on the same card game on multiple tables within the same licensed location; or

(b) When offered on different card games on multiple tables within the same licensed location ((when the following requirements are met. Only one progressive jackpot may be operated on a card game at a time and the card games)). The card games offering the progressive jackpot(s) must have:

(i) The same probability of winning the jackpot prize; and

(ii) The same winning hand.

(5) When gambling equipment will allow a progressive jackpot between different manufacturers, the gambling equipment must be submitted for testing for interoperability in accordance with WAC 230-06-050.