W. Va. Code R. § 179-10-8

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 36, September 6, 2024

Section 179-10-8 - Server-based gaming system; server-based games (table games, slot machines, and peer-to-peer gaming)

8.1. A server-based gaming system shall:

8.1.1. Comply with W.Va. Code 29-22E -1 et seq.;

8.1.2. Ensure continued operation in the event of a temporary power failure through the use of an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS);

8.1.3. Maintain the integrity of the hardware, software, and data contained in the server-based gaming system in the event of a shutdown;

8.1.4. Ensure that the system recovers to its prior state before any system outage;

8.1.5. Have physical and logical controls, as appropriate, to ensure that only authorized hardware components are connected to the system;

8.1.6. Ensure only approved patron device software is used to conduct gaming activity;

8.1.7. Ensure that patron devices meet minimum compatibility requirements in order to conduct gaming activity; and

8.1.8. Be designed with a method for the Commission to approve all game software installations before the game software may be offered to patrons.

8.2. Any software used in server-based gaming shall be designed with a method to permit the validation of software by creating hash signatures of critical programs to ensure that the critical programs are not modified subsequent to Commission approval, or any other method approved by the Commission.

8.3. A server-based gaming system shall perform an authentication process on all control programs on demand and at least once every 24 hours.

8.4. Server-based gaming systems shall provide a mechanism to notify the operator whenever an authentication process has failed. The operator shall immediately cease operation of the software and immediately notify the Commission.

8.5. A server-based gaming system shall be designed with a methodology approved by the Commission to ensure secure communications between a patron device and a server-based gaming system.

8.6. A server-based gaming system shall be designed with a method to identify automatically potential collusion or cheating activity and shall provide a method for a patron to report such activity to the interactive gaming operator or MSP.

8.7. Server-based gaming systems shall provide a patron with the ability to view the game outcome and subsequent account balance changes for the previous game including a game completed subsequent to an outage such as a network disconnection or client device malfunction.

8.8. The following information shall be readily available through a patron device before a patron begins play on an interactive gaming system and at all times during play, where applicable:

8.8.1. Sufficient information to identify the specific game selected;

8.8.2. Game play and payout rules, which shall not rely on sound to convey their meaning; and

8.8.3. All charges imposed on patrons, such as fees, rake, and vigorish.

8.9. Game play shall be initiated only after a patron has affirmatively placed a wager and activated play. No auto play feature shall be permitted in game software unless authorized by the Commission.

8.10. Unless otherwise authorized by the Commission, all server-based table games shall:

8.10.1. Function as approved by the Commission pursuant to the software submission process;

8.10.2. Conspicuously indicate minimum and maximum wagers; and

8.10.3. Contain help screens that provide information and rules regarding approved variations, such as the number of decks used, special odds, and supplemental wagers.

8.11. Server-based table games may be designed to permit a patron to occupy more than one betting position at an individual game, provided that same option is available in its authorized non-electronic version.

8.12. Server-based games shall operate in accordance with rules submitted to and approved by the Commission, which shall describe procedures in case of patron disconnection from the network server during a game in accordance with the following:

8.12.1. Where no patron input is required to complete the game, the game shall produce the final outcome as determined by the RNG, and the patron's account shall be updated accordingly;

8.12.2. For single patron games, in which patron input is required to complete the game, the game shall:

8.12.2.a. Upon subsequent activation, return the patron to the game state immediately prior to the interruption and allow the patron to complete the game. All wagers pending disposition shall be held in a pending wager account; or

8.12.2.b. After an approved period of time, cancel the game resulting in either the forfeiture of the patron's wager or the return of funds to the patron in accordance with a methodology approved by the Director; or

8.12.2.c. Make a selection on behalf of the patron in order to complete the game.

8.12.3. For games with multiple patrons, where the result is affected by the time to respond to a game event, such as poker or blackjack, the game shall, after an approved period of time, make a selection on behalf of the patron in order to complete the game.

8.13. Unless otherwise authorized by the Commission, server-based table game software used to conduct peer-to-peer gaming, such as poker, shall:

8.13.1. Be prohibited from utilizing automated computerized patrons to compete with patrons; and

8.13.2. Provide a patron with the option to be randomly assigned to a table where all patrons have been selected at random.

8.14. Unless otherwise authorized by the Commission, server-based table games with multiple patrons, where the result is affected by the time to respond to a game event, such as poker or blackjack, shall be designed with a game recall feature, which allows the patron to recall the last five game outcomes and associated wagers. The game recall information shall be viewable from the patron device.

8.15. A server-based gaming system, utilizing a data warehouse approved by the Director, shall be designed to transmit securely a copy of all transactions received from a server-based gaming system's primary interactive gaming equipment to the data warehouse. The data stored in the data warehouse shall be owned by the interactive gaming operator.

8.16. One or more interactive gaming operators or MSP's may, with prior approval of the Commission, participate in an interactive gaming network in accordance with a written agreement that has been executed by each interactive gaming operator. The agreement shall:

8.16.1. Designate the party responsible for the operation and administration of the network;

8.16.2. Identify and describe the role, authority, and responsibilities of each participating interactive gaming operator and, if applicable, any third-party network provider;

8.16.3. Include a description of the process by which significant decisions that affect the operation of the network are approved and implemented by each operator; and

8.16.4. Allocate the interactive gaming gross revenue and tax liability between the participating interactive gaming operators to ensure the accurate reporting thereof.

8.17. Each party to an agreement to participate in an interactive gaming network as set forth in section 8.16 above shall be jointly and severally liable for any acts or omissions in violation of the West Virginia Lottery Interactive Wagering Act (the Act), these rules, or the policies of the Commission.

8.18. An interactive gaming operator or MSP may conduct an interactive gaming tournament for any game approved by the Commission. No interactive gaming tournament shall be conducted unless the interactive gaming operator or MSP, prior to the first time a tournament type is offered, files a written notice with the Director of its intent to offer such a tournament and subsequently obtains written approval from the Director or designee. Each interactive gaming operator or MSP shall have internal controls for each tournament type on file with the Commission, which shall address at a minimum:

8.18.1. Game type (for example, hold 'em poker);

8.18.2. Rules concerning tournament play and participation;

8.18.3. Entry fee amount(s) per participant;

8.18.4. Funding source amount(s) comprising the prize pool (for example, buy-ins, re-buys, or add-ons);

8.18.5. Prize structure on payout; and

8.18.6. Methodology for determining winner(s).

8.19. Wireless communication between the patron device and the server-based gaming system must be encrypted in transit using a method (for example, AES, IPsec or WPA2) approved by the Commission.

8.20. A server-based gaming system must mask the service set identification (SSID) of the i-Gaming network to ensure it is unavailable to the general public.

8.21. An internal clock that reflects the current date and time must be utilized in the server-based gaming system, with all servers synchronized to that source. The date and time must be visible to the patron when logged on.

8.22. All documentation related to software and application development should be available for Commission inspection and retained for the duration of its life cycle and for seven (7) years thereafter.

8.23. A server-based gaming system must be developed to minimize the loss of data when a system is shut down. Operational control must be promptly restored according to the recovery procedures defined in the MICS of the operator or MSP.

8.24. A server-based gaming system must have the ability to restore the system from the last backup.

8.25. A server-based gaming system must be able to recover all critical information from the time of the last backup to the point in time at which the system failure or reset occurred.

W. Va. Code R. § 179-10-8