La. Admin. Code tit. 42 § III-4204

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section III-4204 - Progressive Electronic Gaming Devices

A. This Section authorizes the use of progressive EGDs among gaming operations licensed pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 27:51 et seq., R.S. 27:201 et seq., and R.S. 27:351 et seq., within one casino, provided that the EGDs meet the requirements stated in this Chapter and any additional requirements imposed by the Act, rules, the board, or the division.

B. Wide area progressive games that link EGDs located in more than one casino shall be approved by the board or division on a case-by-case basis.

C.

1. A progressive jackpot may be won where certain pre-established conditions, which do not have to be a winning combination, are satisfied.

2. A bonus game where certain circumstances are required to be satisfied prior to awarding a fixed bonus prize, or a prize that does not appear to increase with play, is not a progressive EGD and is not subject to this Chapter.

D. Transferring of Progressive Jackpot Which Is in Play

1. All transfers of progressive jackpots require prior written authorization from the division.

2. A progressive jackpot which is currently in play may be transferred to another progressive EGD in the casino in the event of:

a. an EGD malfunction;

b. an EGD replacement; or

c. division approval of a transfer for any other reason deemed appropriate to ensure compliance with this Chapter.

3. The licensee or casino operator shall distribute the incremental amount to another progressive jackpot at the casino provided that:

a. the licensee or casino operator documents the distribution;

b. any machine offering the jackpot to which the licensee or casino operator distributes the incremental amount does not require that more money be played on a single play to win the jackpot than the machine from which the incremental amount is distributed;

c. any machine offering the jackpot to which the incremental amount is distributed complies with the minimum theoretical payout requirement of §4203. A 2; and

d. the distribution is completed within 30 days after the progressive jackpot is removed from play or within such longer period as the division may for good cause approve. The division may approve a reduction, elimination, distribution, or procedure not otherwise described in this Subsection, which approval is confirmed in writing; and

e. the licensee or casino operator preserves and maintains the records required by this Section.

4. Unless otherwise approved by the division, all progressive jackpot transfers shall be prominently posted at or near the applicable EGD at least seven days in advance of the requested transfer date.

5. If the events set forth above do not occur, the progressive award shall be permitted to remain until it is won by a player or transfer is approved by the division.

E. Recording, Keeping and Reconciliation of Jackpot Amount

1. The licensee and casino operator shall maintain a record of the amount shown on a progressive jackpot meter on the premises. The progressive jackpot meter information shall be read and documented for each tier of the progressive jackpot, at a minimum, every 24 hours. Electronic meter information shall be recorded when a primary jackpot occurs on an EGD.

2. Supporting documents shall be maintained to explain any reduction in the payoff amount from a previous entry.

3. The licensee or casino operator shall confirm and document, on a quarterly basis, that proper communication was maintained on each EGD linked to the progressive controller during that time.

4. The licensee or casino operator shall record the progressive liability on a daily basis.

5. The licensee or casino operator shall review, on a quarterly basis, the incremented rate and reasonableness of the progressive liability by completing a communications test, generating slot or progressive system documentation, or other method approved by the division.

6. Each licensee and casino operator shall formally adopt the manufacturer's division approved internal controls for wide area progressive EGDs as part of the licensee's or casino operator's internal controls.

F. The Progressive Meter

1. The EGD shall be linked to a progressive meter or meters showing the current payoff to all individuals playing an EGD who may potentially win the progressive amount. A meter that shows the amount of the progressive jackpot shall be conspicuously displayed at or near the machines to which the jackpot applies.

G. Consistent Odds on Linked EGDs

1. When two or more progressive gaming devices are linked together, each device on the link shall have a probability of winning the progressive award which is within 1 percent of every other device on the same link. The probability shall be in proportion to the amount wagered. The method of equalizing the expected probability of winning any progressive award shall be conspicuously displayed on each device connected to the system.

H. Operation of Progressive Controller-Normal Mode

1. During the normal operating mode of the progressive controller, the controller or another attached approved component or system shall:

a. continuously monitor each EGD attached to the controller to detect inserted coins or credits wagered; and

b. determine the correct amounts to apply to the progressive jackpot.

2. The progressive display shall be constantly updated as play on the link is continued. A slight delay in the update is acceptable if the jackpot amount is shown immediately when a jackpot is triggered.

I. Operation of Progressive Controller-Jackpot Mode

1. When a progressive jackpot is recorded on an EGD which is attached to the progressive controller or another attached approved component or system, "progressive controller," the progressive controller shall:

a. display the winning amount; and

b. display the EGD identification that caused the progressive meter to activate if more than one EGD is attached to the controller.

2. The progressive controller is required to send to the EGD the amount that was won. The EGD is required to update its electronic meters to reflect the winning jackpot amount consistent with this Chapter.

3. When more than one progressive EGD is linked to the progressive controller, the progressive controller shall automatically reset to the reset amount and continue normal play. During this time, the progressive meter or another attached approved component or system shall display:

a. the identity of the EGD that caused the progressive meter to activate;

b. the winning progressive amount; and

c. the new normal mode amount that is current on the link.

4. A progressive EGD where a jackpot of $500,000 or more is won shall automatically enter into a non-play mode which prohibits additional play on the device after a primary jackpot has been won on the device. Upon the conclusion of necessary inspections and tests as required by the division, the device may be offered for play.

J. Alternating Displays

1. When the rules require multiple items of information to be displayed on a progressive meter, it is sufficient to have the information displayed in an alternating fashion.

K. Security of Progressive Controller

1. Each progressive controller linking two or more progressive EGDs shall be housed in a double keyed compartment in a location approved by the division. All keys shall be maintained in accordance with Chapter 27 of these rules.

2. Only employees approved by the division may have access to the progressive controller.

L. Progressive Controller

1. A progressive controller entry authorization log shall be maintained within each controller. The log shall be in a form prescribed by the division and completed by each individual who gains entrance to the controller.

2. The progressive controller shall keep the following information in nonvolatile memory which shall be displayed upon demand:

a. the number of progressive jackpots won on each progressive level if the progressive display has more than one winning amount;

b. the cumulative amounts paid on each progressive level if the progressive display has more than one winning amount;

c. the maximum amount of the progressive payout for each level displayed;

d. the minimum amount or reset amount of the progressive payout for each level displayed; and

e. the rate of progression for each level displayed.

M. Limits on Jackpot of Progressive EGDs

1. A licensee or casino operator may impose a limit on the jackpot of a progressive EGD, if the limit imposed is greater than the possible maximum jackpot payout on the EGD at the time the limit is imposed. The licensee and casino operator shall inform the public with a prominently posted notice of progressive EGDs and their limits.

N. Reduction or Elimination of Progressive Jackpots

1. A licensee and casino operator shall not reduce the amount displayed on a progressive jackpot meter or otherwise reduce or eliminate a progressive jackpot unless:

a. a player wins the jackpot;

b. the licensee or casino operator adjusts the progressive jackpot meter to correct a malfunction or to prevent the display of an amount greater than a limit imposed pursuant to §4204. M and the licensee or casino operator documents the adjustment and the reasons for it;

c. the licensee's or casino operator's gaming operations at the establishment cease for any reason other than a temporary closure where the same licensee or casino operator resumes gaming operations at the same establishment within a month; or

d. the licensee or casino operator distributes the incremental amount to another progressive jackpot at the establishment and:

i. obtains prior written authorization from the division;

ii. the licensee or casino operator documents the distribution;

iii. any machine offering the jackpot to which the licensee or casino operator distributes the incremental amount does not require that more money be played on a single play to win the jackpot than the machine from which the incremental amount is distributed;

iv. any machine offering the jackpot to which the incremental amount is distributed complies with the minimum theoretical payout requirement of §4203. A 2; and

v. the distribution is completed within 30 days after the progressive jackpot is removed from play or within such longer period as the division may for good cause approve. The division may approve a reduction, elimination, distribution, or procedure not otherwise described in this Subsection.

O. Individual Progressive EGD Controls

1. Individual EGDs shall have a minimum of seven electronic meters, including a coin-in meter, drop meter, jackpot meter, win meter, hand paid jackpot meter, progressive hand paid jackpot meter and a progressive meter.

P. Link Progressive EGD Controls

1. When a progressive jackpot is hit on a machine in the group, all other machines shall be locked out. If an individual progressive meter unit is visible from the front of the machine then the progressive control unit shall lock out only the machine in the progressive link that hit the jackpot and all other progressive meters in the group shall show the current progressive jackpot amount.

La. Admin. Code tit. 42, § III-4204

Promulgated by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Gaming Control Board, LR 38:1672 (July 2012), Amended by LR 41:1497 (8/1/2015).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 27:15 and 24.