WSR 09-15-078

PROPOSED RULES

GAMBLING COMMISSION


[ Filed July 13, 2009, 12:24 p.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 09-11-042.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Amending WAC 230-15-400 Accounting for player-supported jackpot funds.

     Hearing Location(s): Mirabeau Park Hotel, 110 North Sullivan Road, Spokane, WA 99037, (509) 924-9000, on September 11, 2009, at 9:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: September 11, 2009.

     Submit Written Comments to: Susan Arland, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504-2400, e-mail SusanA@wsgc.wa.gov, fax (360) 486-3625, by September 1, 2009.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Gail Grate, executive assistant, by September 1, 2009, TTY (360) 486-3637 or (360) 486-3453.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The Recreational Gaming Association (RGA) requests that WAC 230-15-400 be amended to allow player-supported jackpot (PSJ) funds to be transferred into the PSJ account. Currently, PSJ funds must be directly deposited into a separate PSJ bank account. The petitioner states that bank transfers post immediately to the PSJ bank account which means there is no lag time waiting for deposits to clear. With transactions posted immediately, it's simple to compare the bank account balance to the PSJ accrual balance. Generally, only accounting staff have the ability to do bank transfers, and the cage makes deposits, so transfers are done by more experienced staff.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: See above.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 9.46.070 and 9.46.0282.

     Statute Being Implemented: Not applicable.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Recreational Gaming Association, 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 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.

July 13, 2009

Susan Arland

Rules Coordinator

OTS-2528.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 611, filed 4/24/07, effective 1/1/08)

WAC 230-15-400   Accounting for player-supported jackpot funds.   Class F or house-banked licensees must:

     (1) Maintain a separate bank account in a bank, mutual savings bank, or credit union in Washington state for holding player-supported jackpot (PSJ) funds; and

     (2) Deposit only funds from PSJs into the account; and

     (3) Not make payouts from the PSJ funds until licensees have first deposited the funds in the PSJ account. However, licensees may pay out prizes won during the gambling day and deduct administrative expenses before licensees deposit the funds; and

     (4) Transfer or deposit the PSJ funds into the PSJ account or with an armored car service no later than the second banking day after the close of business; and

     (5) Identify all deposits or transfers of PSJ funds by the type of PSJ fund and date of collection. Licensees must keep the validated deposit receipts or transfer information as a part of their required daily records; and

     (6) Transfer the amount from the PSJ account to the cage or general account before the end of the month if PSJ prizes are paid from the cage or general account. The licensee must keep the transfer information as part of the written records; and

     (7) Reconcile the account balance in their bank statement to the PSJ prize balance on their PSJ fund accrual record each month. "Reconcile" means the licensee must compare the two balances, resolve any differences, and document the comparison and the differences in writing. Licensees must keep the reconciliation as part of their records.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. 07-10-034 (Order 611), § 230-15-400, filed 4/24/07, effective 1/1/08.]

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