205 Mass. Reg. 138.07

Current through Register 1523, June 7, 2024

Section 138.07 - Floor Plans

(1) A system of internal controls submitted by a gaming licensee in accordance with 205 CMR 138.02 shall include provisions for the production and updating of a floor plan for the gaming establishment. Further, provisions shall be included to ensure that no gaming operations or Sports Wagering occur without an approved floor plan, and that the configuration of the gaming area remains compliant with the approved plan at all times unless amended in accordance with the process outlined by 205 CMR 138.07(2) or (3). The initial floor plan for a gaming establishment resulting from the process described in 205 CMR 138.07 shall be reviewed as part of the 205 CMR 138.02 approval process.

The gaming area depicted in a floor plan shall be arranged in such a manner as to provide optimum security for the gaming operations. A floor plan shall accurately depict the entire layout, including equipment positioning, in the gaming area and support areas; shall be drawn to at least 1/8 scale (1/8 = one foot); and shall depict, at a minimum, the location of the following:

(a) The gaming area, and any simulcasting facility or Sports Wagering Area including, at a minimum, the proposed total square footage thereof and a clear delineation of the respective perimeter of each;

(b) Each gaming pit, its pit location number, and any alternate configurations;

(c) Each table game, noting its table number;

(d) Each CCTV camera, noting its type and camera number;

(e) Each slot booth, noting its booth number;

(f) Each cashier's cage and its component offices and areas;

(g) Each window at the cashiers' cage, noting its window number;

(h) Each count room;

(i) Each slot zone, its slot zone location letter or number and the total number of authorized slot machine locations within that slot zone, and at the gaming licensee's option, a maximum of four alternate configurations or locations for that slot zone and the alternate slot zone location number for each (for example, Slot Zone 2A);

(j) Each authorized slot machine or other electronic gaming device location, which location shall contain no more than one slot machine at a time, noting its slot machine location number and any slot zone location letter or number;

(k) Each automated coupon redemption kiosk, noting its location number;

(l) Each automated jackpot payout machine, noting its location number;

(m) Each gaming voucher redemption kiosk, noting its location number;

(n) Each satellite cage and its component offices and areas;

(o) Each area approved for the storage of gaming chips or plaques;

(p) Each room or area approved for the storage of dice or playing cards;

(q) Each other room or area that is accessible directly from the gaming area;

(r) For those establishments with a simulcasting facility:

1. Each simulcast counter and any ancillary simulcast counter, along with their component offices, areas and equipment;

2. Each credit voucher machine, noting its location number;

3. Each self-service pari-mutuel kiosk, noting its location number; and

4. Each other area or room designated by the commission.

(s) For those gaming establishments with a Sports Wagering Area:

1. Each Sports Wagering counter and any ancillary Sports Wagering counter, along with their component offices, areas and equipment;

2. Each credit voucher machine, noting its location number;

3. Each Sports Wagering Kiosk, noting its location number; and

4. Each other area or room designated by the commission.

(2)Temporary Amendments to Floor Plan.

(a) In order to temporarily amend the floor plan approved in accordance with 205 CMR 138.07(1) and reconfigure one or more approved table game pit areas or slot machine zones (areas) in the gaming area, a gaming licensee must first seek the Bureau's approval by filing a written request with the Bureau at least 24 hours prior to implementing such reconfiguration. The request shall be accompanied by a certification from the licensee's surveillance department that adequate surveillance coverage will be in place for the temporary reconfiguration. If the gaming licensee does not receive a response from the Bureau within 24 hours of submitting the request, the gaming licensee may proceed with the reconfiguration. (Movement of a slot machine must also be done in accordance with 205 CMR 144.00: Approval of Slot Machines and Other Electronic Gaming Devices and Testing Laboratories). The Bureau may deny any request that will result in a violation of any law, regulation, or approved internal control, or may jeopardize the safety and/or security of a patron or the integrity of the gaming operation.

(b) A reconfigured gaming area, table game pit, or slot machine zone (area) shall not:

1. Exceed the dimensions approved in the existing approved floor plan for the area unless the request for temporary amendment includes any required approval of the municipal building official. Such approval may be required in instances including, but not limited to, the egress from the gaming floor or area is altered, structural modification is proposed, or the use or occupancy classification for the area is modified;

2. Result in improper surveillance coverage under the approved surveillance plan.

(c) Each table game pit shall have an alarm system, approved by the Bureau, which enables an employee of the gaming establishment to transmit a signal that is audibly and visually reproduced in each of the following locations whenever there is an emergency in the pit:

1. The surveillance monitoring rooms;

2. The security department; and

3. The on-site Bureau office.

(d) A temporary reconfiguration may only remain in place for 30 days from approval. Upon request, the Bureau may approve one 30-day extension of the temporary approval. In order for an amendment to the configuration to remain in place for a longer period of time, the amendment process described in 205 CMR 138.07(3) shall be followed.

(e) All reconfigurations made pursuant to a temporary amendment to an approved floor plan shall be subject to inspection by the Bureau to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and the gaming licensee's approved system of internal controls.

(f) The Bureau may approve a request for a temporary amendment to an approved floor plan on less than 24 hours notice in its discretion provided that all pertinent information is provided to its satisfaction.

(3)Amendments to Approved Floor Plan.

(a) A floor plan approved in accordance with 205 CMR 138.07(1) may be amended upon request by a gaming licensee and approval by the Bureau. Such request shall be filed with the Bureau in writing at least 72 hours prior to the time for which implementation of the amendment(s) is sought. Such request shall include, at a minimum, the following information as applicable:

1. A depiction of any new configuration to the gaming area, a table game pit, or a slot machine zone (area) in comparison with the existing configuration;

2. A depiction of any new outer perimeter of the gaming area, table game pit area, or slot machine zone (area) in comparison with the existing perimeter;

3. A statement of the resulting square footage of the area to be amended in comparison with the existing square footage for the area;

4. A narrative from a design professional certifying the changes to the floor plan, and/or any necessary approval from the municipal building official; and

5. Identification of any necessary amendments to the gaming licensee's surveillance plan to ensure adequate coverage of the configuration.

(b) Within 72 hours of receipt of a request to amend a floor plan filed by a gaming licensee, the Bureau, shall review the proposed change set forth in the application to ensure that it will not result in a violation of any law, regulation, or approved internal control, or may jeopardize the safety and/or security of a patron or the integrity of the gaming operation. After review, the Bureau may preliminarily approve the request, deny the request, request further information from the gaming licensee, or request that the licensee's request be modified. The gaming licensee shall not implement any changes until receiving preliminary approval from the Bureau.

(c) The gaming licensee shall notify the Bureau in writing upon implementing a preliminarily approved amendment to the floor plan. The Bureau shall inspect the physical changes to ensure that they conform to the approved amendment. Following such inspection the Bureau may issue a final approval for the amendment, request that changes be made to conform to the preliminary approval, or request that changes be made to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, or approved internal controls, or to ensure the safety and/or security of a patron or the integrity of the gaming operation.

(4) An approved copy of the floor plans, and amendments thereto, shall be filed with the Bureau in the gaming establishment. A copy shall be kept on file with the gaming licensee's security office, and with the gaming licensee's monitoring rooms.

(5) Prior to commencing gaming operations with the amended configuration, an updated Table Games Master List shall be filed to ensure compliance with 205 CMR 138.66(3)(a).