WSR 15-21-005
PERMANENT RULES
GAMBLING COMMISSION
[Order 715—Filed October 8, 2015, 3:54 p.m., effective November 8, 2015]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: The commissioners adopted a petition for rule change from a licensed manufacturer. This rule change allows house-banked card rooms to connect progressive jackpots from multiple tables within their own card room. The jackpots can be from different card games from different manufacturers. The games must have the same probability of winning the jackpot prize and have the same winning hands. Currently, progressive jackpots can only be connected for the same card game.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 230-15-685.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 9.46.070, 9.46.0282.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 15-17-105 on August 18, 2015.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: At their October 2015 commission meeting, the commissioners voted to amend language to clarify that card games that are not from the same manufacturer may be connected to the progressive jackpots system, when the requirements in subsection (6) are met. When gambling equipment connects progressive jackpots between different manufacturers, the gambling equipment must be submitted for testing for interoperability in accordance with WAC 230-06-050.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: October 8, 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 have:
(a) The same probability of winning the jackpot prize; and
(b) The same winning hand; and
(c) A progressive meter on each table that increases incrementally each time a wager is made.
(7) When gambling equipment will allow a progressive jackpot between different manufacturers, the gambling equipment must be submitted for testing for interoperability in accordance with WAC 230-06-050.