PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 05-14-162.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 230-40-610 Player-supported jackpots -- Restrictions -- Manner of conducting -- Approval.
Hearing Location(s): DoubleTree Guest Suites, 16500 Southcenter Parkway, Seattle, WA 98188, (509) 248-8220, on November 18, 2005, at 9:30 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 18, 2005.
Submit Written Comments to: Susan Arland, Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail Susana@wsgc.wa.gov, fax (360) 486-3625, by November 1, 2005.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Shirley Corbett by November 1, 2005, TTY (360) 486-3637 or (360) 486-3447.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This rule change was proposed by John Mitchell of the Drift On Inn Casino. Currently, card rooms can collect up to $1 per hand or game for each player-supported jackpot (PSJ) using the rake method of collection. The petitioner is requesting the rake be increased from $1 to $2. This could potentially double PSJ prizes available to players. Mr. Mitchell states the reason for the increase is to be able to develop promotions to ensure strong guest relations and a continued growth of his player base.
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: Neal Nunamaker, Deputy Director, Lacey, (360) 486-3452.
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 does not impose more than minor, if any, costs to businesses and no disproportionate impact to small businesses has been identified.
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.
September 19, 2005
Susan Arland
Rules Coordinator
OTS-8382.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 439, filed 11/24/04,
effective 1/1/05)
WAC 230-40-610
Player-supported
jackpots -- Restrictions -- Manner of conducting -- Approval.
A
player-supported jackpot (PSJ) is a separate contest of chance
directly related to the play and/or outcome of authorized
nonhouse-banked card games but which is not the card game
itself. Card rooms with a Class F or house-banked license may
establish a prize fund for the purpose of operating a PSJ for
nonhouse-banked card games. Any PSJ must be approved in
writing by the director or the director's designee prior to
play. A PSJ must meet the following requirements:
Funding a PSJ.
(1) A licensee may provide house funds to establish a
PSJ. The licensee shall issue a check from the general
business account into the PSJ account to start the prize fund.
Recouping of start up funds shall be done by issuing a check
from the PSJ account to the business general account. Electronic bank transfers shall satisfy this requirement. Start up funds shall not exceed five thousand dollars per PSJ.
Using a rake to fund a PSJ.
(2) A licensee may assess a portion of players' wagers
for a jackpot prize. Such amount shall not exceed ((one)) two
dollars per hand or game for each PSJ. This assessment shall
be separately collected using the rake method.
PSJ funds are player funds - exception from administrative
fee.
(3) The licensee acts only as the custodian of the PSJ
funds, including any interest earned on this money, and
maintains no legal right to the funds. All PSJ funds shall be
awarded as prizes, based upon a format approved by commission
staff. An administrative fee not to exceed ten percent of the
amount collected for a PSJ may be imposed by the licensee. This administrative fee includes all expenses incurred by the
licensee, including banking fees. No other expenses beyond
the ten percent administrative fee shall be deducted from the
PSJ account.
Prize fund custodian.
(4) Each licensee shall designate at least one "prize
fund custodian" who shall be responsible for safeguarding and
disbursing funds to winners. A prize fund custodian may be an
owner, partner, officer, or licensed individual designated by
a card room owner, partner, or officer. The custodian shall
have signature authority for prize fund bank accounts and
ensure accountability of all funds collected for use in a PSJ.
The licensee shall meet the deposit requirements of WAC 230-40-608.
Payout of prizes.
(5) Prize amounts paid in cash shall not exceed two
thousand five hundred dollars. Prize amounts not awarded in
cash shall be paid within twenty-four hours, by check, the
type which provides a duplicate copy. A record of all prizes
paid shall be maintained in the format prescribed by
commission staff and shall include:
(a) For prizes less than one hundred dollars, a system of accounting denoting each individual prize may be utilized.
(b) For prizes one hundred dollars and above, the following information shall be recorded on a prize record:
(i) Full printed name;
(ii) Date of birth;
(iii) Street address;
(iv) Type of identification reviewed;
(v) Amount of the prize awarded;
(vi) Description of the winning hand;
(vii) Time and date awarded; and
(viii) The supervisor's and dealer's initials.
(c) When awarding a prize of five hundred dollars or more, the dealer must, in view of the surveillance camera, display the value and suit of each card in the winning hand, and the remaining cards in the deck must be counted and put in numerical order by suit to confirm a complete deck. The hand shall be collected and sealed with the prize record. The winning hand and remaining deck shall be maintained on the premises as part of daily card room records for a period of seven days, unless released by a commission agent.
Owners and employees competing for a PSJ.
(6) Owners, custodians and on-duty card room employees
may participate in card games that offer a PSJ, but may not
share in the winnings of any prize awarded. Any prize
winnings an owner or on-duty employee may be entitled to under
game rules, must be divided equally among the other players at
the table: Provided, That off-duty employees may participate
in card games that offer a PSJ and share in the prize
winnings.
Owners and employees showing cards.
(7) Owners and on-duty card room employees must turn
their cards face up at the end of each game so they may be
observed by other players at the table and surveillance if:
(a) Playing in a game with a PSJ;
(b) The prize is not based upon a predetermined hand; and
(c) There is a qualifying hand at the end of a game (such as a "bad beat" hand).
House dealer required.
(8) All card games offering a PSJ must utilize a house
dealer.
Security requirements.
(9) Each gaming table offering a PSJ shall be required to
install a closed circuit television system as outlined in WAC 230-40-625: Provided, That licensees operating any
house-banked card games shall follow the security requirements
set forth in WAC 230-40-825 for all tables in the card room,
including those offering a PSJ.
Removing a PSJ from play.
(10) The following procedures shall be followed for all
discontinued player-supported jackpots:
Discontinued.
(a) In the event a licensee elects to discontinue a PSJ,
the balance, less any nonrecouped seed money, shall be
distributed to players within sixty days of discontinuance by
offering an approved promotion or card tournament of the same
game under which the PSJ was originally accrued.
Closure of business.
(b) In the event a licensee ceases to operate a card
room, or fails to maintain a valid card room license, all
funds associated with the PSJ shall be distributed to the
Washington state council on problem gambling.
Posting rules.
(c) The licensee shall conspicuously post a sign stating
how PSJ money will be distributed in the event the PSJ is
discontinued or the business closes. The sign must be posted
at the inception of the PSJ.
House rules.
(11) House rules, to include administrative fees shall be
posted in a location readily visible by all players and
disclose the conditions under which prizes may be won, the
prize amount, cost to participate, and any other conditions
which may affect the outcome of the game.
Dispute resolution.
(12) If a dispute arises involving the outcome of a PSJ,
the licensee shall preserve the video recording, the winning
hand and remaining deck, and all records for the game where
the dispute occurred and shall notify commission staff within
twenty-four hours. The licensee shall document all
information pertaining to the dispute including:
(a) The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all players, card room staff, and any witnesses involved;
(b) Amount of the advertised PSJ; and
(c) A full description of the circumstances surrounding the dispute.
(13) All disputes involving a PSJ will be investigated by commission staff, with a report submitted to the director. A written decision will be issued by the director, or the director's designee, and such decision shall be final.
(14) During the course of dispute resolution, the commission may become the temporary custodian of any and all prize funds. The PSJ will be suspended until the dispute is resolved.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. 04-24-038 (Order 439), § 230-40-610, filed 11/24/04, effective 1/1/05; 02-17-033 (Order 414), § 230-40-610, filed 8/13/02, effective 1/1/03; 01-13-091 (Order 403), § 230-40-610, filed 6/19/01, effective 7/20/01; 00-09-052 (Order 383), § 230-40-610, filed 4/14/00, effective 5/15/00.]