PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 08-08-001.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 230-15-225 Tournament rules and prizes.
Hearing Location(s): Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel/Convention Center, 201 North Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801, on August 15, 2008, at 9:30 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: August 15, 2008.
Submit Written Comments to: Susan Arland, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504-2400, e-mail Susan2@wsgc.wa.gov, fax (360) 486-3625, by August 1, 2008.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Gail Grate, executive assistant, by August 1, 2008, TTY (360) 486-3637 or (360) 486-3453.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The commission filed a petition for rule change submitted by the Recreational Gaming Association (RGA) requesting that card tournament operators be allowed to:
(1) Give players additional or discounted rebuys based on the amount of a player's previous play; and
(2) Use a drawing to select players, after a tournament begins, to fill extra seats at the tournament.
On April 14, 2008, Gary Murrey, on behalf of the RGA, clarified to staff that the intent of this rule change is for players to continue to pay the same initial buy-in amount; however, tournament operators would like to award additional chips to certain players based on players' hours of previous play. The RGA states that tribal markets are allowed to offer additional opportunities to buy-in for tournament play including additional chips and rebuys for free or discounts based on previous play. The RGA states that house-banked card room licensees should be allowed to offer games they are authorized at the same levels being offered in the Washington state gaming market.
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.
May 14, 2008
Susan Arland
Rules Coordinator
OTS-1564.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 608, filed 4/10/07,
effective 1/1/08)
WAC 230-15-225
Tournament rules and prizes.
(1) Before
players pay their fees, card game licensees must prominently
post on the premises and keep posted until the tournament is
complete:
(a) All rules, prizes, and conditions of the tournament; and
(b) The tournament fee; and
(c) Entry and buy-in requirements; and
(d) A description of all of the goods and services they will provide as a part of the tournament.
(2) Licensees must initially provide all tournament
entrants with the same number of chips or points ((and the
same opportunity for rebuys)) for their buy-in. However,
players may be awarded additional chips or rebuys for free or
at a discount based on previous play.
(3) If there are more players than spots available in the tournament, card game licensees may conduct a drawing to determine which players participate. If there is a fee to enter the tournament, card game licensees must collect it after the drawing has occurred.
(4) After the tournament has begun, card game licensees
((must not)) may conduct a drawing to decide who will fill an
extra seat.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. 07-09-033 (Order 608), § 230-15-225, filed 4/10/07, effective 1/1/08.]