WSR 15-17-105
PROPOSED RULES
GAMBLING COMMISSION
[Filed August 18, 2015, 3:11 p.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 15-12-031.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Proposed amendment to WAC 230-15-685 Restrictions on progressive jackpots.
Hearing Location(s): Red Lion Seattle Airport, 18220 International Boulevard, Seattle, WA 98188, (206) 246-5535, on October 8, 2015, at 12:30 p.m. NOTE: Meeting dates and times are tentative. Visit our web site at www.wsgc.wa.gov and select public meeting about ten days before the meeting to confirm meeting date/location/start time.
Date of Intended Adoption: October 8, 2015.
Submit Written Comments to: Susan Newer, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504-2400, e-mail Susan.Newer@wsgc.wa.gov, fax (360) 486-3625, by October 1, 2015.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Michelle Rancour by October 1, 2015, TTY (360) 486-3637 or (360) 486-3453.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The petitioner is requesting that house-banked card game licensees be allowed to connect progressive jackpots from different card games on multiple tables within the card room. The games must have the same probability of winning the jackpot prize and the same winning hands.
The petitioner uses the example of poker based games such as Let it Ride, Mississippi Stud, and Ultimate Texas Hold'em. All are poker based games with progressive jackpots. Even though the underlying game is played differently the odds of obtaining a five card royal flush to win the progressive jackpot is the same since they are all played with a single fifty-two card deck.
Currently, progressive jackpots can only be connected for the same card game within the same card room.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 9.46.070, 9.46.0282.
Statute Being Implemented: Not applicable.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Bally Gaming, a licensed manufacturer, private.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Susan Newer, Lacey, (360) 486-3466; Implementation: David Trujillo, Director, Lacey, (360) 486-3512; 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 was not prepared because the rule change would not impose additional costs on any licensees.
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.
August 18, 2015
Susan Newer
Rules Coordinator
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 13-13-060, filed 6/18/13, effective 7/19/13)
WAC 230-15-685 Restrictions on progressive jackpots.
House-banked card game licensees operating progressive jackpots must follow these restrictions and procedures:
(1) Progressive jackpot funds must accrue according to the rules of the game; and
(2) At each gambling table, licensees must prominently post the amount of the progressive jackpot that players can win; and
(3) Licensees must record the beginning amount of each progressive jackpot offered, including explanations for any increases or decreases in the prize amount offered. Licensees must keep this documentation with the progressive jackpot records; and
(4) Licensees may establish a maximum limit on a progressive jackpot prize. If licensees establish a limit, they must make the amount equal to, or greater than, the amount of the jackpot when they imposed the limit. They must prominently post a notice of the limit at or near the game; and
(5) Licensees may connect progressive jackpots offered on the same card game on multiple tables within the same licensed location.
(6) Licensees may connect progressive jackpots on different card games on multiple tables within the same licensed location when the following requirements are met. Only one progressive jackpot may be operated on a card game at a time and the card games must:
(a) All be from the same licensed manufacturer; and
(b) Have the same probability of winning the jackpot prize; and
(c) Have the same winning hand; and
(d) Have a progressive meter on each table that increases incrementally each time a wager is made.