2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 4 - AMUSEMENTS › Chapter 13A - Table Games › Section 13A02 - Regulatory authority

§ 13A02. Regulatory authority.
The board shall promulgate regulations:
(1) Establishing standards and procedures for table games and table game devices or associated equipment, including standards distinguishing electronic gaming tables, fully automated electronic gaming tables and traditional gaming tables. The standards and procedures shall provide for any new table games or gaming tables and variations or composites of approved table games or gaming tables, provided the board determines that the new table game, gaming table or any variations or composites or other approved table games or gaming tables are suitable for use after a test or experimental period under the terms and conditions as the board may deem appropriate.
(2) Establishing standards and rules to govern the conduct of table games and the system of wagering associated with table games, including the conduct of table games and the system of wagering on electronic gaming tables and fully automated electronic gaming tables.
(2.1) Establishing the method for calculating gross table game revenue and standards for the daily counting and recording of cash and cash equivalents received in the conduct of table games, including the conduct of table games on electronic gaming tables and fully automated electronic gaming tables, and ensuring that internal controls are followed, including observation by employees of the board of that process, the maintenance of financial books and records and the conduct of audits. The board shall consult with the department in establishing these regulations.
(3) Establishing notice requirements pertaining to minimum and maximum wagers on table games. Minimum and maximum wagers may be adjusted by the certificate holder in the normal course of conducting table games, except that changes in minimum wagers at any given gaming table shall not apply to players already engaged in wagering at that gaming table when the minimum wager is changed, unless 30 minutes' notice is provided at that gaming table.
(4) Requiring each certificate holder to:
(i) Provide written information at each operational gaming table about table game rules, payoffs or winning wagers and other information as the board may require.
(ii) Provide specifications approved by the board under section 1207(11) (relating to regulatory authority of board) to integrate and update the licensed facility's surveillance system to cover all areas where table games are conducted. The specifications shall include provisions providing the board and other persons authorized by the board with onsite access to the system or its signal.
(iii) Designate one or more locations within the licensed facility to conduct table games.
(iv) Ensure that visibility in a licensed facility is not obstructed in any way that could interfere with the ability of the certificate holder, the board and other persons authorized under this part or by the board to oversee the surveillance of the conduct of table games.
(v) Integrate the licensed facility's count room for slot machine and table game operations to ensure maximum security of the counting and storage of cash and cash equivalents.
(vi) Equip each operational gaming table with a sign indicating the permissible minimum and maximum wagers at the gaming table.
(vii) Adopt policies or procedures to prohibit any table game device or associated equipment from being possessed, maintained or exhibited by any person on the premises of a licensed facility except in the areas of a licensed facility where the conduct of table games is authorized or in a restricted area designated to be used for the inspection, service, repair or storage of table game devices or associated equipment by the certificate holder or in an area used for employee training and instruction by the certificate holder.
(viii) Equip all drop boxes in which cash, cash equivalents, fill slips, credit slips or inventory slips are deposited at the gaming tables, and all areas where drop boxes are kept while in use, with two locking devices or keys, of which one locking device or key shall be under the exclusive control of the board, and the second locking device or key shall be under the exclusive control of the certificate holder's designated employees. The drop boxes shall be brought into or removed from an area where table games are conducted or locked or unlocked in accordance with procedures established by the board.
(ix) Designate secure locations for the inspection and storage of table game devices and associated equipment as may be approved by the board.
(5) Establishing the size and uniform color by denomination of all chips used in the conduct of table games, including tournaments, and a policy for the use of promotional or commemorative chips used in the conduct of table games. All types of chips shall be approved by the board prior to being used for play at a table game at a licensed facility.
(5.1) Establishing the procedure to be used by a certificate holder to determine and extract a rake for the purposes of generating gross table game revenue from nonbanking games. The rake may be calculated using a percentage or a flat fee methodology.
(6) Establishing minimum standards relating to the acceptance of tips or gratuities by dealers and croupiers at a table game, which shall include:
(i) The requirement that tips or gratuities accepted by dealers and croupiers at banking games be placed in a common pool for complete distribution pro rata among all dealers and croupiers.
(ii) The right of the certificate holder to establish policies under which tips or gratuities accepted by dealers and croupiers at nonbanking games are not required to be pooled and may be retained by the dealers and croupiers.
Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit a certificate holder from adopting a formal policy relating to acceptance of tips and gratuities, provided that the policy meets the minimum standards established by the board under this paragraph.
(7) Establishing the minimal proficiency requirements for individuals to successfully complete a course of training at a gaming school. The regulations shall not prohibit a slot machine licensee from establishing a course of training for its employees or potential employees or prohibit a certificate holder from offering employment to an individual who has not attended or completed a course of instruction at a gaming school and shall require a slot machine licensee that elects to train its gaming employees or potential table game employees to submit a detailed summary of the training program to the board and to demonstrate the adequacy of the training. The regulations shall prohibit a slot machine licensee from charging its employees or potential employees a fee to complete a course of training.
(8) Establishing the practices and procedures governing the conduct of tournaments under this chapter.
(9) Establishing minimum standards relating to the extension of credit to a player by a certificate holder. Prior to extending credit, the certificate holder shall consider an individual's financial fitness, including annual income, debt-to-income ratio, prior credit history, average monthly bank balance or level of play.