Md. Code Regs. 36.05.03.24

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 24, December 2, 2024

Section 36.05.03.24 - Progressive Table Games

A. A table game offering a progressive jackpot may:

(1) Stand alone;

(2) Be linked to:

(a) Other table games in a facility; or

(b) Table games in two or more facilities in or outside the State through a wide area progressive system.

B. A manufacturer may not install in a facility, and a facility operator may not make available for play, table game equipment offering a progressive jackpot without written Commission approval of:

(1) A progressive proposal; and

(2) Internal controls submitted addressing the payment of a progressive jackpot.

C. A manufacturer may not modify the terms of a progressive jackpot, and a facility operator may not make available for play, a table game or table game equipment that offers a progressive jackpot that differs from its approved progressive proposal without the approval in writing of the Commission.

D. A table game may offer multiple progressive jackpots.

E. A progressive jackpot amount may be calculated and transmitted to a table game or table game device by:

(1) The operating system of a table game; or

(2) A separate progressive controller interfaced to a table game or table game equipment.

F. A progressive controller shall be:

(1) Located in a restricted area;

(2) Secured:

(a) In a dual key controlled compartment with:

(i) One key controlled by a manufacturer; and

(ii) One key controlled by the Commission; or

(b) By alternative means approved by the Commission; and

(3) Capable of:

(a) Displaying an available progressive jackpot amount on a table game's, or table game equipment's:

(i) Progressive meter; or

(ii) Common progressive meter;

(b) Transmitting to a table game for metering purposes the amount of a progressive jackpot;

(c) If linked to a common progressive meter in accordance with §H of this regulation, displaying the Commission asset number of the table game on which a progressive jackpot is won;

(d) If a progressive controller is servicing multiple table games, automatically resetting all table games connected to it to a pre-established reset amount; and

(e) If the progressive offers multiple jackpot levels, maintaining and displaying for each progressive level the:

(i) Number of progressive jackpots won;

(ii) Cumulative amount paid;

(iii) Maximum progressive payout;

(iv) Minimum amount or reset amount; and

(v) Rate of progression.

G. A table game offering a progressive jackpot shall be equipped, for each progressive jackpot offered, with the following mechanical, electrical, or electronic meters:

(1) A progressive meter which:

(a) May increase in value based upon wagers;

(b) Advises the player of the amount which may be won if the table game characters that result in the award of a progressive jackpot appear as a result of activation of play; and

(c) Is visible from the table game through:

(i) A meter display housed in the video lottery terminal; or

(ii) A common progressive meter display unit;

(2) A progressive payout meter;

(3) An attendant paid progressive jackpot meter; and

(4) A cumulative progressive payout meter that continuously and automatically records the total value of progressive jackpots paid whether paid:

(a) Directly at the table game; or

(b) Hand paid by a facility operator as a result of a progressive jackpot that exceeds the physical or configured capability of a table game or table game equipment.

H. A table game linked to a common progressive meter for the purpose of offering the same progressive jackpot on two or more table games shall:

(1) Have the same probability of hitting the combination of characters that will award the progressive jackpot as every other table game linked to that common progressive meter; and

(2) Require each:

(a) Player to wager the same amount to receive a chance at winning the progressive jackpot; and

(b) Wager to increment the progressive meter by the same rate of progression on every table game connected to the common progressive meter.

I. Notwithstanding the requirements of §H of this regulation, table games linked to a common progressive meter for the purpose of offering the same progressive jackpot on two or more table games may be of different denominations or require different wagers, or both, if:

(1) The probability of winning the progressive jackpot is directly proportional to the wager required to win a jackpot; and

(2) A notice indicating the proportional probability of hitting the progressive jackpot on the common progressive meter is conspicuously displayed in a manner specified by the Commission on each linked table game.

J. A manufacturer may not:

(1) Set a limit for a progressive jackpot which exceeds the display capability of the progressive meter; and

(2) Adjust a progressive meter without the prior approval of the Commission unless the adjustment is:

(a) Required as a direct result of table game equipment or meter malfunction; and

(b) Reported by the manufacturer in a form and in a time frame specified by the Commission to the:

(i) Commission; and

(ii) Facility operator.

Md. Code Regs. 36.05.03.24

Regulations .24 adopted as an emergency provision effective 40:6 Md. R. 471, eff.3/1/2013 ; adopted permanently effective 40:12 Md. R. 1044, eff.6/24/2013