205 Mass. Reg. 138.71

Current through Register 1523, June 7, 2024

Section 138.71 - Table Game Tournaments and Promotional Events within the Gaming Area

(1) A gaming licensee may conduct a gaming tournament for any table game authorized by the Commission pursuant to 205 CMR 147.00: Uniform Standards of Rules of the Games.

(2) 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 gaming tournament, which shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(a) The date(s), time(s), and location(s) of the scheduled gaming tournament;

(b) The number of participants expected;

(c) The game type;

(d) Rules concerning tournament play and participation;

(e) The prize structure;

(f) Dealer tips determined in accordance with 205 CMR 138.34, if applicable;

(g) Participant registration procedures;

(h) The methodology for determining winners;

(i) The equipment to be used;

(j) Forms utilized in connection with the tournament;

(k) A description of security and surveillance measures that will be implemented for the gaming tournament;

(l) A certification from the supervisors of the gaming licensee's security, gaming operations, and surveillance departments that the proposed gaming tournament will not adversely affect the security and integrity of gaming operations;

(m) A certification from the gaming establishment controller or designee that he or she has reviewed the rules for the tournament in regard to gaming tournament revenue reporting and certified conformance with 205 CMR 140.02(2)(c); and

(n) A certification from a holder of a key gaming employee license that the tournament will be conducted in accordance with the tournament rules developed pursuant to 205 CMR 138.71(2).

(3) Tournaments may not be played with cash, value chips, plaques, gaming vouchers or other cash equivalents. Table game tournaments shall be conducted using tournament chips.

(4) A gaming licensee may charge an entry fee to participate in a tournament. The gaming licensee that charges an entry fee shall submit electronically the revenue from the tournament at the end of gaming day following the conclusion of the tournament.

(5) The IEB may at any time require the gaming licensee to immediately cease any tournament or promotional event offered within the gaming area if the tournament or promotional event provided is in any material manner different from the description contained in the submission filed pursuant to 205 CMR 138.71(2) or in any way compromises the security or integrity of gaming operations.

(6) No false or misleading statements, written or oral, shall be made by a licensee or its employees regarding any aspect of any promotional activity.

(7) The licensee shall maintain the rules of the event, including eligibility to participate, criteria for entry and winning prizes awarded, and prize winners, for a minimum of two years from the last day of the event. Written rules governing the tournament or promotional event shall be made immediately available to the public and the commission upon request.

(8) All prizes offered in the promotional activity shall be awarded according to the rules governing the event.

(9) Large tournaments and promotions held in non-gaming areas will be submitted and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

(10) Payouts from promotional activities are not winnings paid to patrons and as such shall not be deductible when calculating gross gaming revenue in accordance with 205 CMR 140.02: Computation of Gross Gaming Revenue.

(11) Promotional coupons shall contain the following information preprinted on the coupon:

(a) The name of the gaming establishment;

(b) The city or other locality and state where the gaming facility is located;

(c) The specific value of any monetary coupon stated in U.S. dollars;

(d) Sequential identification numbers, player tracking numbers with unique numbers added to them, or other similar means of unique identification of each coupon for complete and accurate tracking and accounting purposes;

(e) An expiration date; and

(f) All conditions required to redeem the coupon.

(12) Licensees offering promotional coupons shall track the issuance and redemption of each promotional coupon. Documentation of the promotional coupon tracking shall be maintained on file for two years and made readily available to the Bureau upon request. The inventory of unissued promotional coupons must be maintained in a reasonable manner that prevents theft or fraud.

(13) Promotional coupons shall be cancelled at the time they are redeemed in a manner that will prevent multiple redemptions of the same coupon.

(14) An activity involving a table game 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.