Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 205 CMR - MASSACHUSETTS GAMING COMMISSION › Title 205 CMR 143.00 - Gaming Devices And Electronic Gaming Equipment › Section 143.01 - Standards for Gaming Devices

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1) A gaming
			 licensee and gaming device vendor shall comply with and the commission adopts
			 and incorporates by reference
Gaming Laboratories International, LLC
			 Standard GLI-11: Gaming Devices
, version 3.0, released September 21,
			 2016, subject to the following amendments:
(a) Delete section 1.1.1 and replace with the
			 following: "The following sets forth the technical standards for electronic
			 gaming devices as identified in
			 205
			 CMR 144.01(2).
(b) Delete section 1.1.2.
(c) Delete section 1.2.
(d) Delete section 1.3.3 and replace with:
			 "This GLI technical standard is adopted in whole subject to the modifications
			 described in 205 CMR 143.01. The standard and modifications should at all times
			 be read in conjunction with 205 CMR and the standards referenced in section
			 1.4.1 so as to create a harmonious regulatory framework."
(e) Add the following after section 2.3.2:
			 "2.3.3 Game integrity. The gaming licensee shall develop and submit to the IEB
			 and the commission's gaming lab for approval a preventive maintenance program
			 for the care and upkeep of any such mechanical pieces or any physical moving
			 parts and/or any physical parts of any slot machine, or player interaction
			 devices, that may affect the outcome of any game to ensure the integrity of the
			 outcomes. The IEB may require any such part to be replaced."
(f) Delete the last sentence of section 3.6.1
			 and replace with: "If a cryptographic RNG is used, it shall comply with section
			 3.6.2."
(g) Delete section
			 4.6.6.
(h) Replace in section 4.8.1
			 "seventy-five percent (75%)" with "eighty percent (80%)".
(i) Add the following after the first
			 paragraph of section 4.8.1: "The calculation of minimum payout percentage
			 excludes the cash equivalent value of any merchandise or other thing of value
			 that cannot be converted into cash by the gaming licensee, but may include the
			 acquisition cost to the gaming licensee of the merchandise or other thing of
			 value. The calculation shall include the value of promotional gaming credit
			 (
i.e
.- "free play")."
(j) Add the following after the first
			 sentence in section 4.8.1(a): "If necessary to ensure the fairness of the game
			 to patrons, the Commission may require a gaming vendor to submit a device for
			 testing to determine whether it meets the requirements of section 4.8.1 when
			 using average or counter-optimal methods of play in addition to, or in lieu of,
			 an optimal method of play."
(k)
			 Replace in section 4.8.1(b) "75%" with "80%".
(l) Add the following after section 4.8.1(b):
			 "(c) Games of pure skill and/or games that do not utilize an RNG are not
			 required to achieve a minimum theoretical payout percentage."
(m) Delete section 4.16.1 and replace with
			 the following: "For games of chance, the gaming device shall cease play,
			 display an appropriate message, and require attendant intervention to resolve
			 player payment for the payment of winnings of $1200 or more from a single
game cycle
. For a
game with skill
, the gaming
			 device shall cease play, display an appropriate message, and require attendant
			 intervention to resolve player payment for the payment of winnings of $1200 or
			 more from a single
gaming session
. In determining whether
			 winnings equal or exceed the $1,200 threshold, the amount of winnings shall not
			 be reduced by the amount wagered. It is permissible to provide a mechanism to
			 accrue taxable winnings to a separate meter, however, this meter must not
			 support any direct wagers.
See also
M.G.L. c. 62B, § 2,
			 26 CFR § 1.6041-10, and GLI-13, section 2.4.2."
(n) Add the following after the first
			 paragraph of section 4.20.1: "For purposes of independent testing in accordance
			 with
			 205 CMR 144.00, the gaming
			 device manufacturer shall determine in the first instance, subject to the
			 acceptance of the independent test laboratory, whether a gaming device
			 qualifies as a
game with skill
, a game of pure chance, or a
			 game of pure skill. Such determination shall be subject to review and
			 reclassification by the commission."
(o) Replace in section 4.20.3 "75%" with
			 "80%".
(p) Add the following to
			 section 5.4.1(k): "provided, however, no slot machine intended for use at a
			 gaming establishment in Massachusetts may accept debit cards, credit cards, or
			 government-issued electronic benefits transfer cards for purposes of purchasing
			 any form of gaming value;"
(q) Add
			 the following in Glossary of Key Terms in the definition of
Player
			 Interaction Device
after the term "camera systems": "smartphones,
			 keypads, gamepads, audio sensors, motion sensors, image sensors, image
			 displays, infrared emitters and detectors, accelerometers,".
(r) Delete section 4.4.1(v) and replace with
			 the following: "Signage indicating that a 'malfunction voids all pays' or some
			 equivalent verbiage shall be clearly displayed on the exterior of the slot
			 machine at all times. For purposes of 205 CMR, a malfunction shall be an event
			 in which a slot machine:
1. In some way
			 performs contrary to a rule or other language describing the performance or
			 payout of the game exhibited on the exterior display of the slot machine or
			 contained in the rules section of the slot machine; or
2. In some way performs contrary to the
			 manufacturer design or operational specifications; or
3. In some way performs contrary to the
			 requirements of 205 CMR including the specifications contained in the
			 certification for the slot machine issued in accordance with
			 205 CMR 144.00."