WSR 07-19-072

PROPOSED RULES

GAMBLING COMMISSION


[ Filed September 17, 2007, 1:31 p.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 07-11-003.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 230-15-050 Minimum cash on hand requirements.

     Hearing Location(s): DoubleTree Guest Suites, 16500 Southcenter Parkway, Seattle, WA 98188, (206) 575-8220, on November 16, 2007, at 9:30 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: November 16, 2007.

     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 November 1, 2007.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Gail Grate, Executive Assistant, by November 1, 2007, TTY (360) 486-3637 or (360) 486-3453.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This new rule will require house-banked card room licensees to maintain a minimum amount of cash in their cage before opening for the business day. The new rule will require house-banked card room licensees to have the following amount of cash in their cage before opening the card room:

     a. $1,000 for each table licensed to operate; plus

     b. The amount of the largest prize available, but not more than $20,000.

     For example: A house-banked card room licensee that is licensed for fifteen tables and its largest single prize is $23,000 is required to have at least $35,000 in their cage before opening for the business day (15 x $1,000 = $15,000 + $20,000 = $35,000).

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: See above.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 9.46.070.

     Statute Being Implemented: Not applicable.

     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: 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, and/or the proposed rule change clarifies language of rules without changing the effect.

     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 14, 2007

Susan Arland

Rules Coordinator

OTS-1020.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 608, filed 4/10/07, effective 1/1/08)

WAC 230-15-050   Minimum cash on hand requirements.   (1) Card game licensees must have sufficient cash on hand to redeem all chips issued for play and pay out all prizes.

     (2) Before opening for the business day, house-banked card game licensees must have at least the following minimum amount of cash in their cage:

     (a) One thousand dollars for each house-banked table on the gambling floor; plus

     (b) The amount of the largest single prize available or not more than twenty thousand dollars.

     For example: If a house-banked card room has fifteen house-banked tables and a largest single prize of twenty-three thousand dollars, before opening, the cage must have at least thirty-five thousand dollars on hand: 15 tables x $1,000 = $15,000 + largest single prize or $20,000 = $35,000).

     (3) Except for the restrictions on player-supported jackpot pay outs in WAC 230-15-405 and progressive jackpot pay outs in WAC 230-15-690, licensees may pay prizes by check if sufficient funds are available on deposit.

     (((3))) (4) Failure to keep funds to cash in chips, pay prizes, or redeem gambling related checks is prima facie evidence of fraud. Meeting the minimum cage cash amount does not relieve the licensee from the requirement to have sufficient funds available to redeem all chips and pay out all prizes.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. 07-09-033 (Order 608), § 230-15-050, filed 4/10/07, effective 1/1/08.]

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