WSR 98-19-083
PROPOSED RULES
GAMBLING COMMISSION
[Filed September 22, 1998, 9:29 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-17-102, on August 19, 1998, with a published date of September 2, 1998.
Title of Rule: Pull-tab series with carry-over jackpots--Definitions--Requirements, WAC 230-30-045.
Purpose: This rule would allow certain bingo halls to accrue a carry-over jackpot prize before it is awarded.
Statements Against Rule Change: None.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 9.46.070.
Summary: See Purpose above.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Bingo halls wold like to be able to accrue the contribution amounts for carry-over jackpots. Currently, prizes are not recorded until they are paid out. Because this is a more complex system of recording pull-tab prizes which has not been allowed before, this system will be limited to Class F and above bingo licensees only.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Susan Arland, Lacey, (360) 438-7654 ext. 374; Implementation: Ben Bishop, Lacey, (360) 438-7640; and Enforcement: Sherri Winslow, Lacey, (360) 438-7654 ext. 301.
Name of Proponent: Staff, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: See Purpose and Reasons Supporting Proposal above.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See Purpose and Reasons Supporting Proposal above.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Proposal is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(2), therefore, a small business economic impact statement is not required.
Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption. This agency does not choose to make section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, apply to this rule adoption.
Hearing Location: Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Drive, Vancouver, WA 98662, (360) 254-3100, on November 13, 1998, at 9:30 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Susan Green by November 6, 1998, TDD (360) 438-7638, or (360) 438-7654 ext. 302.
Submit Written Comments to: Susan Arland, Mailstop 42400, Olympia, Washington 98504-2400, fax (360) 438-8652, by November 6, 1998.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 13, 1998.
September 22, 1998
Susan Arland
Public Information Officer
OTS-2488.1
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending Order 359, filed 7/15/98, effective 1/1/99)
WAC 230-30-045 Pull-tab series with carry-over jackpots--Definitions--Requirements. Operators may utilize pull-tab series that are specifically designed to include carry-over jackpots. The following definitions and requirements shall apply to these series:
(1) Definitions which apply to pull-tab series with carry-over jackpots:
(a) "Carry-over jackpot" means a prize pool that is composed of accumulated contribution amounts from pull-tab series which, if not won, are carried over to other pull-tab series;
(b) "Contribution amount" means the amount from each series which is added to the carry-over jackpot; and
(c) "Guaranteed prizes" means all prizes available to be won, excluding the contribution amount or carry-over jackpot;
(2) The following requirements apply to carry-over jackpot prizes and prize payout calculations:
(a) Guaranteed prizes must be 60% or more of gross receipts available from the pull-tab series;
(b) The contribution amount for each series may not be more than five hundred dollars;
(c) The contribution amount and the method of play shall be determined by the manufacturer and disclosed on the flare;
(d) At no time shall an accumulated carry-over jackpot exceed two thousand dollars. Once it reaches this amount, the two thousand dollars accumulated carry-over jackpot shall be carried over to subsequent series until won; and
(e) The carry-over jackpot must be awarded. Failure to have sufficient funds available, or any attempt by an operator to utilize carry-over jackpots for personal or organizational purposes, shall be prima facie evidence of defrauding the players in violation of RCW 9.46.190;
(f) If the jackpot is awarded, the sum of the advance-level prize and the jackpot prize shall not exceed two thousand dollars. If the jackpot is not awarded, the sum of the advance-level prize and the consolation prize shall not exceed five hundred dollars;
(3) The following additional requirements apply to pull-tab series with carry-over jackpots:
(a) If bonus pull-tab series are used:
(i) The odds of winning the carry-over jackpot shall not exceed one winner out of ten chances, or the probability of winning the carry-over jackpot shall be .10 or higher, at the jackpot level;
(ii) There may only be one advance level on the flare;
(iii) There shall be at least one guaranteed chance to win the carry-over jackpot;
(iv) All chances that are included on the flare shall be covered in a manner that prevents determination of the concealed numbers or symbols prior to being opened by the player. If perforated windows are used, the numbers or symbols must be covered by latex, foil, or other approved means; and
(v) Standards for bonus pull-tab flares, as set forth in WAC 230-30-106, shall apply;
(b) The maximum ticket count for pull-tab series with carry-over jackpots shall be six thousand tickets; and
(c) The secondary win codes on pull-tab series with carry-over jackpots must not repeat within a three-year period;
(4) The following operating and recordkeeping requirements apply to pull-tab series with carry-over jackpots:
(a) If the chances of winning the carry-over jackpot are obtained and the carry-over jackpot is not won, the series shall be removed from play within seven operating days;
(b) If a carry-over jackpot is not won prior to removing a series from play, it shall be carried over to a new series within one operating day from when the series was removed from play. The accrued contribution amounts from all previous series shall be added to the contribution amount from the new series, up to two thousand dollars;
(c) The following additional records must be maintained for pull-tab series with carry-over jackpots:
(i) For carry-over jackpots six hundred dollars and over, the winner's full name, address, and Social Security number shall be recorded on a separate form for income tax purposes;
(ii) Each pull-tab series contributing to a specific carry-over jackpot must be retained as one series. The retention period for these series shall be as required by WAC 230-30-072(3): Provided, That the retention period shall start on the last day of the month in which the carry-over jackpot was awarded rather than when the series was removed from play; and
(iii) Operators are required to maintain a separate record documenting the flow of carry-over jackpots from one game to another in a format prescribed by the commission;
(d) For the purposes of monthly records set forth in WAC 230-08-010, all operators shall record carry-over jackpots on a cash basis. This means that carry-over jackpot contribution amounts shall not be recorded on monthly records until the prize is awarded: Provided, That punch board/pull-tab licensees who also hold a Class F or above bingo license may accrue carry-over jackpot contribution amounts on their monthly records if the following conditions are met:
(i) Prior approval is received from the director;
(ii) The contribution amounts, up to the point where the jackpot reaches the maximum, shall be recorded as prizes paid on the monthly records;
(iii) When the jackpot is awarded, only amounts not previously accrued, if any, shall be recorded as a prize paid;
(iv) No more than five carry-over jackpot series shall be in play at once; and
(v) If the contribution amount is not deposited with the net receipts (required by WAC 230-12-020), a proper audit trail and adequate security over the funds must be maintained; and
(5) The director shall approve the following aspects of all pull-tab games with carry-over jackpots prior to sale in Washington state:
(a) The design, payout, method of play, and flare for each pull-tab series;
(b) The manufacturing process for the pull-tab series and flares; and
(c) The secondary win code system for the pull-tab series.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. 98-15-074 (Order 359), § 230-30-045, filed 7/15/98, effective 1/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070 (2), (11) and (14). 97-19-083, § 230-30-045, filed 9/16/97, effective 1/1/98.]