Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-105.2

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 5, September 4, 2024

Rule 481-105.2 - Registered amusement device restrictions

Each registered amusement device shall only be located on premises for which a Class "B," Class "C," special Class "C," Class "D," Class "E," or Class "F" retail alcohol license has been issued pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 123.

(1) The number of electrical or mechanical amusement devices registered by the department shall not exceed 6,928, the total number of devices registered by the department as of April 28, 2004.

(2) The department shall not initially register an electrical or mechanical amusement device that is required to be registered to an owner for a location for which only a Class "B" or a Class "E" retail alcohol license has been issued pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 123 on or after April 28, 2004.

(3) An owner or distributor at a location for which only a Class "B" or a Class "E" retail alcohol license has been issued pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 123 shall not relocate an amusement device registered as provided in this chapter to a location other than the location of the device on April 28, 2004, and shall not transfer, assign, sell, or lease an amusement device as provided in this chapter to another person for which only a Class "B" or a Class "E" retail alcohol license has been issued pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 123 after April 28, 2004.

EXAMPLE 1: An electrical or mechanical amusement device is registered with the department and is located at a convenience store that has a Class "E" retail alcohol license.

1. If the amusement device needs to be repaired, the owner may repair it without losing the registration position or buying a new registration tag. A repair constitutes any changes to a device as long as the type of game and the number of devices in a location is not changed.

2. If the amusement device needs to be replaced because it is defective, it must be replaced with the same game in order to keep the registration position.

3. The amusement device cannot be moved from one location to another under a Class "B" or a Class "E" retail alcohol license, even if the number of registered devices at a location does not change.

4. If a location with a Class "B" or a Class "E" retail alcohol license had only one amusement device registered on April 28, 2004, the maximum number of devices allowed at that location shall be one.

(4) Rescinded IAB 8/29/07, effective 9/1/07.

(5) Each registered amusement device at a location for which only a Class "B" or a Class "E" retail alcohol license has been issued pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 123 shall include on the amusement device a security mechanism which prevents a person from operating the amusement device by not allowing the acceptance of money until the machine is activated by the owner or owner's designee. A sign shall be posted stating that a person must be 21 years of age or older to operate the registered amusement device.

EXAMPLE 2: A patron in a convenience store tries to put money in an amusement device, but the amusement device will not take the money. The patron approaches the person working behind the counter, who then asks the patron for an ID. If the patron is 21 years of age or older, the amusement device is activated, thereby allowing the patron to play the amusement device. The security mechanism shall be immediately reactivated once the patron has finished playing the amusement device.

(6) The registered amusement device shall be registered in accordance with these rules and shall comply with all of the requirements of Iowa Code section 99B.53, this chapter, 481-Chapter 104, and any other applicable laws or rules.

(7) The registered amusement device shall not be designed or adapted to facilitate gambling, nor shall the device be capable of playing poker, blackjack, or keno.

(8) If the department, or the department's designee, determines that a registered amusement device is not in compliance with the requirements of this chapter or any other provision of Iowa law, the device may be subject to seizure, and any registration associated with the device, including the registration of the manufacturer, distributor, or owner, may be revoked or suspended.

(9) A person owning or leasing a registered amusement device shall not advertise or promote the availability of the amusement device to the public as anything other than an electrical or mechanical amusement device. Situations that constitute advertising and promoting include, but are not limited to, posted signs, newspaper/magazine advertisements, radio and television advertisements, word of mouth and Internet posting.

(10) If there is no amusement device registration availability, a person may be included on a waiting list for an amusement device registration position.

a. A person shall appear on the waiting list only once for a single registration position.

b. A person may be added to the waiting list by sending an email to gmms@dia.iowa.gov.

c. A person may request to be added to the waiting list by calling or writing the department at Department of Inspections and Appeals, Social and Charitable Gambling Unit, Lucas State Office Building, 321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0083; (515)281-6840.

d. The department shall maintain the waiting list in chronological order with the person requesting addition to the waiting list first being first on the list.

e. When a registration position becomes available, the department shall notify the first person on the waiting list of the amusement device registration availability. If multiple positions become available, the department may notify as many persons on the waiting list as there are available positions.

f. The department shall notify the person on the waiting list of the amusement device registration availability by mail or by email if the person has provided an email address.

g. The person on the waiting list shall have ten days from the time the notification was sent to submit a registered amusement device application and the fee.

h. If the person does not submit the registration application, fee and proof of purchase within ten days, the person shall forfeit the position on the waiting list and shall be removed from the waiting list.

(11) An initial amusement device registration shall only be allowed at a location that has a Class "C," special Class "C," Class "D," or Class "F" retail alcohol license issued pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 123.

EXAMPLE 3: An amusement device is located in a bar that has the appropriate retail alcohol license. On April 28, 2004, this location had only one amusement device. An additional amusement device may be added to this location.

1. If the amusement device needs to be repaired, it may be repaired without the loss of the device's registration position.

2. If the amusement device is defective and needs to be replaced, it can be replaced with the same game under the original registration without the incurring of additional charges.

3. If the amusement device is replaced with a new amusement device that has a different game, before the device is moved to the premises, the process for initial registration shall be followed pursuant to this chapter and Iowa Code chapter 99B. The replacement of the amusement device creates an amusement device registration availability, and the position will be offered to the next person on the waiting list pursuant to this rule.

(12) If a person purchases an amusement device that is registered with the department, the registration tag, if available, must be removed from the purchased amusement device and returned to the department. The department shall be notified in writing within ten calendar days of the change in ownership of any amusement device. The purchased device shall be removed from the inventory of the original owner, thus creating a registration position on the waiting list. The purchaser must apply for a registration position on the waiting list for the device.

(13) An amusement device that is registered with the department and located in a warehouse may be placed in a location that has a Class "C," special Class "C," Class "D," or Class "F" retail alcohol license issued pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 123. Such a device may also be used as a replacement device.

(14) The registration application for all new amusement devices must be accompanied by the receipt, invoice, or bill of sale containing the seller's name, company name, and address, transaction date, motherboard serial number, and name of the game.

(15) Devices shall not allow for more than one player. Each playing position constitutes one amusement device.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-105.2

Amended by IAB April 1, 2015/Volume XXXVII, Number 20, effective 5/6/2015

Amended by IAB September 26, 2018/Volume XLI, Number 7, effective 10/31/2018

Amended by IAB April 5, 2023/Volume XLV, Number 20, effective 5/10/2023