Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92
Section 13B14 - Interactive gaming operators(a)License required.--No person shall serve or attempt to serve as an interactive gaming operator without first obtaining an interactive gaming license from the board. A person may seek approval to serve as an interactive gaming operator by filing an application with the board. The board shall prescribe the form of the application and the manner in which it shall be filed. The board shall: (1) Determine suitability of the person filing an application under this section. The board shall determine suitability in accordance with the same requirements of this part applicable to the determination of suitability of the issuance of an interactive gaming certificate to a slot machine licensee. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, the board may consider a holder of a valid license, permit, registration, certificate or other authorization approved and issued under this part, which is in good standing, as suitable under this section without additional investigation. The consideration shall not relieve the applicant for an interactive gaming license from payment of all fees imposed under this chapter.(2) Provide for the approval of the terms and conditions of all agreements entered into by or between an interactive gaming certificate holder and a person applying for an interactive gaming license.(b) Classification and approval of employees.--(1) The board shall establish a classification system for employees of interactive gaming operators or other persons who provide products or services associated with or related to interactive gaming, interactive gaming platforms and interactive gaming systems.(2) The board shall provide for the licensure, permitting, registration or certification, as it deems appropriate, of employees in each employee classification established by it in accordance with paragraph (1).(c) Applicability of certain provisions.--Interactive gaming operators shall be subject to the applicable provisions of this part that apply to interactive gaming certificate holders, as determined by the board, including the provisions of section 13B13(d) (relating to issuance of interactive gaming certificate).(d)Term of interactive gaming license.--Subject to the power of the board to deny, revoke or suspend an interactive gaming license, an interactive gaming license shall be valid for five years from the date of issuance and may be renewed in accordance with the requirements of section 1326 (relating to renewals).(e) Interactive gaming license and conditional authorization.--(1) The following shall apply: (i) During the first 18 months after the effective date of this section, the board may issue conditional authorization to a person applying for an interactive gaming license.(ii) Conditional authorization issued under this subsection shall remain in effect until the earlier of the date occurring 12 months after the issuance of the authorization or the date upon which the board makes a final determination on the person's application.(iii) The effectiveness of a conditional authorization may be extended by the board not more than once, upon a showing of good cause.(iv) Conditional authorization shall allow an applicant for an interactive gaming license to engage in all of the functions of a licensed interactive gaming operator for the duration of the conditional authorization.(2) A conditional authorization may not be issued unless:(i) The applicant has submitted a complete application for an interactive gaming license to the board.(ii) The applicant agrees to pay or has paid the fee prescribed in section 13B51 (relating to interactive gaming authorization fee) prior to the issuance of conditional authorization.(iii) The bureau has no objection to the issuance of a conditional authorization to the applicant.(3) Within 45 days of the date that the bureau receives the completed application for an interactive gaming license from an applicant for investigation, the bureau shall conduct a preliminary investigation of the applicant and any employee of the applicant determined by the board to be included in the investigation, which shall include a criminal background investigation.(4) If the bureau's preliminary investigation discloses no adverse information that would impact suitability for licensure, the bureau shall provide the board with a statement of no objection to the issuance of conditional authorization to the applicant.(5) If the bureau's preliminary investigation discloses adverse information that would impact suitability for licensure, it shall register an objection, and a conditional authorization may not be issued until the bureau's concerns are resolved.(6) A conditional authorization approved and issued to an applicant for an interactive gaming license under this subsection may be suspended or withdrawn by the board upon a showing of good cause by the bureau.Added by P.L. TBD 2017 No. 42, § 25, eff. 10/30/2017.