205 CMR, § 138.57

Current through Register 1536, December 6, 2024

Section 138.57 - Slot Machine Tournaments and Promotional Events within the Gaming Area

(1) Slot machine tournaments may not be played with cash, value chips, plaques, gaming vouchers or other cash equivalents.

(2) A gaming licensee may charge an entry fee to participate in a slot machine tournament. A gaming licensee that charges an entry fee shall submit an acknowledgment of the total fees collected to the IEB by 10:00 A.M. on the day following the conclusion of the tournament.

(3) A system of internal controls submitted in accordance with 205 CMR 138.02, which shall be maintained by the gaming licensee, shall set forth a process that provides for submission of a written notice to the Bureau at least five business days prior to the commencement of a slot machine tournament, which shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(a) A general description of how the slot machine tournament will be conducted and a copy of the rules governing play;

(b) The dates and times that the tournament will be conducted;

(c) Participation eligibility requirements including:

1. Who is eligible to participate;

2. The minimum and maximum number of participants; and

3. Entry fees charged.

(d) The criteria used to determine the winners;

(e) The monetary amount or description of the prizes to be awarded;

(f) The details of when and how the prizes will be awarded;

(g) The asset and gaming floor plan location numbers of the slot machines that will be used to conduct the slot machine tournament; and

(h) How the slot machine tournament area will be segregated from patrons who are not participating in the slot machine tournament.

(4) In addition to filing a notice required under 205 CMR 138.57(3), a gaming licensee shall submit a copy of the notice to the Commission's finance department.

(5) Advertising to promote a slot machine tournament must, at a minimum:

(a) Contain information regarding who is eligible to participate; and

(b) Include a copy of the slot machine tournament rules or state how a copy of the rules may be obtained.

(6) A slot machine used for a slot machine tournament must:

(a) Use tournament software certified in accordance with 205 CMR 144.00: Approval of Slot Machines and Other Electronic Gaming Devices and Testing Laboratories;

(b) Maintain connectivity with the Central Monitoring System (CMS); and

(c) Have the functionality of the bill validator, ticket printer and electronic funds transfer meters disabled during the slot machine tournament so that the slot machine does not accept cash or credits or make payouts during tournament play.

(7) Before and after a slot machine tournament, the gaming licensee shall:

(a) Receive approval from the Network Operations Center to place the slot machine in and take it out of tournament mode; and

(b) Ensure that the Network Operations Center has recorded all meter settings on all slot machines used in the tournament.

(8) A gaming licensee shall maintain records related to the conduct of a slot machine tournament in accordance with 205 CMR 138.09. These records shall be made available to the commission upon request and must include, at a minimum:

(a) A copy of the notice required under 205 CMR 138.57(3); and

(b) The names and addresses of all prize winners and the prize each winner was awarded.

(9) An activity involving a slot machine or other gaming equipment which occurs on the gaming floor of a gaming establishment or in areas off the gaming floor where contests or tournaments are conducted and which results in an individual obtaining any money or thing of value from, or being owed any money or thing of value by, a gaming licensee must have surveillance coverage.