Administrative Rules of Montana › Department 23 - JUSTICE › Chapter 23.16 - GAMBLING CONTROL DIVISION › Subchapter 23.16.19 - Video Gambling Machine Specifications › Rule 23.16.1901 - GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS OF VGMS

Current through Register Vol. 13, July 5, 2024
(1) Each
				VGM model or modification must:
(a) be tested
				and approved by the department before it may be sold or permitted. The
				department's approval of a VGM is limited to the manufacturer to whom the
				approval was granted and may not be transferred. The department may inspect any
				VGM sold or permitted in the state. All owners or permit holders must grant the
				department immediate access to inspect VGMs in their possession. Keys to allow
				access to a VGM for inspection may be provided to the department or must be
				immediately available at the premises;
(b) be operated by the players in the manner
				specified by this part;
(c) not
				have any means of manipulation that could affect the accounting, and operation
				or outcome of a game. The VGM may not have any functions or parameters
				adjustable by any separate video display or input codes except for the
				adjustment of features that are wholly cosmetic or other operational parameters
				as approved by the Gambling Control Division;
(d) offer only those games defined as video
				gambling in Title 23, chapter 5, MCA, and operate in the following manner:
(i) in the case of poker, after the initial
				cards have been dealt, the player may be allowed to raise his wager but the
				player may not exceed the overall statutory bet limit;
(ii) each game title must display the
				combinations for which credits/cash value will be awarded and the credits/cash
				value awarded for each combination;
(iii) the VGM must have locked doors to two
				separate areas, one containing the logic board and software for the game and
				the other housing the cash. Conventional media storage devices must be
				accessible from the front of the VGM. Access from one area to another must not
				be allowed;
(iv) the VGM may have a
				mechanism that accepts cash in the form of bills that do not exceed
				$100;
(v) in the case of poker,
				each VGM must use a color display with images of cards that closely resemble
				standard poker playing cards;
(vi)
				the VGM must be capable of printing a ticket voucher for all credits/cash value
				owed the player at the completion of each game. A valid ticket voucher must
				contain the following information in a format prescribed by the department:
(A) the name of the licensed
				establishment;
(B) the name of the
				city, town, or county in which the licensed establishment is located;
(C) the VGM serial number;
(D) the VGM identification number (VGMID)
				assigned to the VGM;
(E) the time
				of day in hours, minutes, and seconds in a 24-hour format. The clock must
				automatically account for daylight savings time and indicate "S" for standard
				time and "D" for daylight savings time;
(F) the current date;
(G) the program name;
(H) the cash value in numerals;
(I) the cash value in words;
(J) the sequential number of the ticket
				voucher;
(K) this notice clearly
				displayed on the ticket voucher: "Ticket Void After 48 hours."
(vii) the printing mechanism must
				be located in a locked area of the VGM to ensure the safekeeping of the audit
				copy. The printing mechanism must have a paper sensing device that upon sensing
				a "low paper" condition will allow the VGM to finish printing the ticket and
				prevent further play. The VGM must recognize a printer power loss occurrence
				and cease play until power has been restored to the printer and the VGM is
				capable of producing a valid ticket voucher;
(viii) the VGM must have non-resettable
				mechanical meters of at least seven digits, housed in a readily accessible
				locked VGM area. These meters must be in a configuration prescribed by the
				department. The mechanical meters must be manufactured in such a way as to
				prevent access to the internal parts without destroying the meter. The
				department may require and provide a validating identification sticker to
				attach to the mechanical meters to verify the meters are assigned to a specific
				licensed VGM. The meters must keep a permanent record of:
(A) total dollars accepted by the coin
				acceptor mechanism(s) (if applicable), and bill acceptor (if
				applicable);
(B) total dollars
				played;
(C) total dollars
				won;
(D) total dollars
				paid;
(ix) the VGM must
				contain electronic metering, using meters that record and display the following
				on the video screen in a format prescribed by the department:
(A) total cents through mechanism(s) 1 and 2
				(if applicable);
(B) total cents
				through the bill acceptor (if applicable);
(C) total cents, total cents played, total
				cents won, and total cents paid;
(D) total games played and total games won;
(E) total cents played and total
				cents won for each distinct paytable available for play; and
(F) any other metering required by these
				rules;
(x) the VGM must
				issue by use of the audit key, an accounting ticket containing a performance
				synopsis of the VGM and progressive accounting data if applicable. The printing
				of all totals from the electronic meters shall occur automatically each time
				access occurs to either the logic compartment or any compartment where cash is
				collected. Whenever a lifetime memory clear is performed, each VGM must produce
				a full accounting ticket both before and after each resetting. The tickets must
				be in the format prescribed by the department and contain:
(A) the name of the licensed
				establishment;
(B) the name of
				city, town, or county in which the licensed establishment is located;
(C) the VGM serial number;
(D) the VGM identification number (VGMID)
				assigned to the VGM;
(E) the time
				of day in hours, minutes, and seconds in a 24-hour format. The clock must
				automatically account for daylight savings time and indicate "S" for standard
				time and "D" for daylight savings time;
(F) the current date;
(G) the program name; and
(H) the electronic meter readings required by
				the department;
(xi) each
				VGM must have a manufacturer identification tag permanently affixed to it by
				the VGM manufacturer. The tag must be affixed in a location approved by the
				department and must include the following information:
(A) manufacturer;
(B) serial number;
(C) model; and
(D) date of manufacture;
(xii) the VGM must clearly display a
				statement that no person under the age of 18 years is allowed to
				play;
(xiii) each VGM and
				peripheral electronic device must pass a static test that is determined by the
				department;
(xiv) a VGM shall be
				equipped with a surge protector that will feed all A.C. electrical current to
				the VGM and maintain for a 30-day period the accuracy of all electronic meters,
				date, and time during power fluctuations and loss.