58 Pa. Code § 603a.13

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024

Section 603a.13 - Dice; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use

(a) When dice are received from a manufacturer or supplier, the dice shall immediately be unloaded under the supervision of at least two people, one of whom shall be an assistant table games shift manager or above and one employee from the security department, and transported to a secure area which is covered by the slot machine licensee's surveillance system. The boxes of dice shall then be inspected by an assistant table games shift manager or above and one employee from the security department to assure that the seals on each box are intact, unbroken and free from tampering. Boxes that do not satisfy these criteria shall be inspected at this time to assure that the dice contained therein conform to the requirements of this chapter and there is no evidence of tampering. Boxes satisfying these criteria, together with boxes having unbroken, intact and untampered seals shall then be placed for storage in a storage area, the location and physical characteristics of which shall be approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(f) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment).

(b) Dice which are to be distributed to gaming pits or tables for use in gaming shall be distributed from the approved storage area.

(c) The approved storage area must have two separate locks. The security department shall maintain one key and the table games department shall maintain the other key. A person employed by the table games department below an assistant table games shift manager in the organization hierarchy may not have access to the table games department key.

(d) Immediately prior to the commencement of each gaming day and at other times as may be necessary, an assistant table games shift manager or above, in the presence of a security department employee, shall remove the appropriate number of dice for that gaming day from the approved storage area.

(e) Envelopes and containers used to hold or transport dice must be:

(1) Transparent.

(2) Designed or constructed with seals so that any tampering is evident.

(3) Submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a).

(f) Dice shall be inspected and distributed to the gaming tables in accordance with one of the following applicable alternatives:

(1) Alternative No. 1.

(i) The assistant table games shift manager or above and the security department employee who removed the dice from the approved storage area shall distribute sufficient dice directly to the pit manager or above in each pit, or place them in a locked compartment in the pit stand, the keys to which shall be in the possession of the pit manager or above.

(ii) Immediately upon opening a table for gaming, the pit manager or above shall distribute a set of dice to the table. At the time of receipt, a boxperson at each Craps table and the floorperson at each Pai Gow, Pai Gow Poker, Sic Bo, Three Dice Football or Mini-Craps table, to ensure that the dice are in a condition to assure fair play and otherwise conform to the requirements of this chapter, shall, in the presence of the dealer, inspect the dice given to him with a micrometer or any other instrument approved by the Board's Executive Director which performs the same function, a balancing caliper, a steel set square and a magnet. These instruments shall be kept in a compartment at each Craps table or pit stand and shall be at all times readily available for use by the casino compliance representatives or other Board employees upon request. The inspection shall be performed on a flat surface which allows the dice inspection to be observed through the slot machine licensee's surveillance system and by any persons in the immediate vicinity of the table.

(iii) Following the inspection required under subparagraph (ii):

(A) For Craps, the boxperson shall, in the presence of a dealer, place the dice in a cup on the table for use in gaming.

(B) For Mini-Craps and Three Dice Football, the floorperson shall, in the presence of a dealer, place the dice in a cup on the table for use in gaming.

(C) For Sic Bo, the floorperson shall, in the presence of the dealer, place the required number of dice into the shaker and seal or lock the shaker. The floorperson shall then secure the Sic Bo shaker to the table in the presence of the dealer who observed the inspection.

(D) For Pai Gow and Pai Gow Poker, the floorperson shall, in the presence of the dealer, place the dice in the Pai Gow shaker.

(iv) The pit manager or above shall place extra dice for the dice reserve in the pit stand. Dice in the pit stand shall be placed in a locked compartment, the keys to which shall be in the possession of the pit manager or above. No dice taken from the pit stand reserve may be used for actual gaming until the dice have been inspected in accordance with subparagraph (ii).

(2) Alternative No. 2.

(i) The assistant table games shift manager or above and the security department employee who removed the dice from the approved storage area shall distribute the dice directly to the following certificate holder's employees who shall perform the inspection in each pit:

(A) For Craps and Mini-Craps, a boxperson or floorperson in the presence of another boxperson or floorperson, both of whom are assigned the responsibility of supervising the operation and conduct of a Craps or Mini-Craps game.

(B) For Sic Bo, Three Dice Football, Pai Gow and Pai Gow Poker, a floorperson, in the presence of another floorperson, both of whom are assigned the responsibility of supervising the operation and conduct of Sic Bo, Three Dice Football, Pai Gow or Pai Gow Poker games.

(C) For storage of the dice for the dice reserve in the pit stand, to the pit manager or above.

(ii) To ensure that the dice are in a condition to assure fair play and otherwise conform to the requirements of this chapter, the dice shall be inspected by one of the individuals listed in subparagraph (i)(A) or (B) with a micrometer or other instrument approved by the Board's Executive Director which performs the same function, a balancing caliper, a steel set square and a magnet. These instruments shall be kept at the pit stand and at all times readily available for use by the casino compliance representatives or other Board employees upon request. The inspection shall be performed on a flat surface which allows the dice inspection to be observed through the slot machine licensee's surveillance system and by any persons in the immediate vicinity of the pit stand.

(iii) After completion of the inspection, the dice shall be distributed as follows:

(A) For Craps and Mini-Craps, the boxperson or floorperson who inspected the dice shall, in the presence of the other boxperson or floorperson who observed the inspection, distribute the dice to the boxperson assigned at each Craps table or to the floorperson assigned at each Mini-Craps table. The Craps boxperson or the Mini-Craps floorperson shall, in the presence of the dealer, place the dice in a cup on the table for use in gaming.

(B) For Sic Bo, the floorperson who inspected the dice shall, in the presence of the other floorperson who observed the inspection, place the required number of dice into the shaker and seal or lock the shaker. The floorperson shall then secure the Sic Bo shaker to the table in the presence of the other floorperson who observed the inspection.

(C) For Pai Gow and Pai Gow Poker, the floorperson who inspected the dice shall, in the presence of the other floorperson who observed the inspection, distribute the dice directly to the dealer at each Pai Gow table. The dealer shall immediately place the dice in the Pai Gow shaker.

(D) For Three Dice Football, the floorperson who inspected the dice shall, in the presence of the other floorperson who observed the inspection, distribute the dice to the floorperson assigned at each Three Dice Football table. The floorperson shall, in the presence of the dealer, place the dice in a cup on the table for use in gaming.

(iv) The pit manager or above shall place extra sets of dice for the dice reserve in the pit stand, as follows:

(A) Dice in the pit stand shall be placed in a locked compartment, the keys to which shall be in the possession of the pit manager or above.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (v), dice taken from the reserve in the pit stand shall be reinspected by a floorperson or above in the presence of another floorperson or above in accordance with the inspection procedures set forth in subparagraph (ii), prior to their use for actual gaming.

(v) Previously inspected reserve dice may be used for gaming without being reinspected if the dice are maintained in a locked compartment in the pit stand in accordance with the following procedures:

(A) For Craps, Mini-Craps and Three Dice Football, a set of five dice, after being inspected, shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container. A label that identifies the date of inspection and contains the signatures of those responsible for the inspection shall be attached to the envelope or container.

(B) For Sic Bo, three dice, after being inspected, shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container or sealed or locked in a Sic Bo shaker. A label or seal that identifies the date of inspection and contains the signatures of those responsible for the inspection shall, respectively, be attached to each envelope or container or placed over the area that allows access to open the Sic Bo shaker.

(C) For Pai Gow and Pai Gow Poker, a set of three dice, after being inspected, shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container. A label that identifies the date of inspection and contains the signatures of those responsible for the inspection shall be attached to each envelope or container.

(3) Alternative No. 3.

(i) The inspection of dice for table games shall take place in the approved storage area in the presence of a floorperson or above, the assistant table games shift manager or above and a security department employee.

(ii) Prior to starting the inspection of the dice, notice shall be provided to the certificate holder's surveillance department.

(iii) The dice shall be inspected by the floorperson or above, or the assistant table games shift manager or above, or both, with a micrometer or another instrument approved by the Board's Executive Director which performs the same function, a balancing caliper, a steel set square and a magnet to ensure that the dice are in a condition to assure fair play and otherwise conform to this chapter. These instruments shall be maintained in the approved storage area and at all times readily available for use by the casino compliance representatives or other Board employees upon request.

(iv) After completion of the inspection, the persons performing the inspection shall seal the dice as follows:

(A) For Craps, Mini-Craps and Three Dice Football, after each set of five dice are inspected, the dice shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container. A label that identifies the date of the inspection and contains the signatures of those responsible for the inspection must be attached to each envelope or container.

(B) For Sic Bo, if a manual shaker is being utilized at the gaming table, after each set of dice are inspected, three dice shall be sealed or locked in a manual shaker. A seal that identifies the date of the inspection and contains the signatures of those responsible for the inspection shall be placed over the area that allows access to open the shaker. If an automated shaker is being utilized at the gaming table, after each set of three dice is inspected, the dice shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container. A label that identifies the date of the inspection and contains the signatures of those responsible for the inspection must be attached to each envelope or container.

(C) For Pai Gow, after each set of three dice is inspected, the dice shall be placed in a sealed envelope, container or shaker. A label that identifies the date of the inspection and contains the signatures of those responsible for the inspection must be attached to each envelope, container or shaker.

(D) Reserve dice may be placed in individual sealed envelopes or containers. A label that identifies the date of the inspection and contains the signatures of those responsible for the inspection must be attached to each envelope or container.

(v) At the beginning of each gaming day and at other times as may be necessary, an assistant table games shift manager or above and a security department employee shall distribute the dice as follows:

(A) For Craps and Mini-Craps, the sealed envelopes or containers of dice shall be distributed to a pit manager or above in each Craps or Mini-Craps pit or placed in a locked compartment in the pit stand. When the sealed dice are distributed to a Craps or Mini-Craps table, a boxperson at a Craps table or a floorperson at a Mini-Craps table, after assuring the seals are intact and free from tampering, shall open the sealed envelope or container in the presence of a dealer and place the dice in a cup on the table for use in gaming.

(B) For Sic Bo, if a manual shaker is being utilized at the gaming table, the sealed manual shakers shall be distributed to the pit manager or above supervising the game or placed in a locked compartment in the pit stand. The floor person or above, after assuring the seal on the shaker is intact and free from tampering, shall secure the manual Sic Bo shaker to the table. If an automated shaker is being utilized at the gaming table, the sealed envelope or container shall be distributed to a pit manager or above in a Sic Bo pit or placed in a locked compartment in the pit stand. When the sealed dice are distributed to the Sic Bo table by the pit manager or above, the floorperson, after assuring the seal and envelopes or containers are intact and free from tampering, shall open the sealed envelope or container in the presence of the dealer and place the dice in the Sic Bo shaker.

(C) For Pai Gow, the sealed envelope or container shall be distributed to a pit manager or above in a Pai Gow pit or placed in a locked compartment in the pit stand. When the sealed dice are distributed to the Pai Gow table by the pit manager or above, a floorperson, after assuring the seal and envelopes or containers are intact and free from tampering, shall open the sealed envelope or container in the presence of the dealer and place the dice in the Pai Gow shaker.

(vi) When an envelope, container or seal is damaged, broken or shows indication of tampering, the dice in the envelope, container or shaker may not be used for gaming activity unless the dice are reinspected in accordance with paragraph (1) or (2).

(vii) The pit manager or above shall place extra dice for the dice reserve in the pit stand. Dice in the pit stand shall be placed in a locked compartment. The keys to the locked compartment shall be in the possession of the pit manager or above.

(viii) A micrometer or another instrument approved by the Board's Executive Director which performs the same function, a balancing caliper, a steel set square and a magnet shall be maintained in a locked compartment in each pit stand. These instruments shall be readily available at all times for use by the casino compliance representatives or other Board employees upon request. The inspection of dice in the approved storage area in accordance with this alternative shall be performed on a flat surface which allows the dice inspection to be observed through the slot machine licensee's surveillance system.

(g) A certificate holder shall remove any dice at any time of the gaming day and file a Dice Discrepancy Report as required under subsection (h) if there is any indication of tampering, flaws or other defects that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game, or at the request of a casino compliance representative or other Board employee.

(h) At the end of each gaming day or at other times as may be necessary, a floorperson or above, other than the individual who originally inspected the dice, shall visually inspect each die that was used for play for evidence of tampering. Evidence of tampering discovered at this time or at any other time shall be immediately reported to the casino compliance representatives by the completion and delivery of a two-part Dice Discrepancy Report and the dice.

(1) Dice showing evidence of tampering shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container.

(i) A label shall be attached to each envelope or container which identifies the table number, date and time the dice were removed and contains the signatures of the person assigned to directly operate and conduct the game at that table and the floorperson assigned the responsibility for supervising the operation and conduct of the game.

(ii) A floorperson or above or a security department employee responsible for delivering the dice to the casino compliance representatives shall also sign the label.

(iii) The casino compliance representative receiving the dice shall sign the original and duplicate copy of the Dice Discrepancy Report and retain the original copy. The duplicate copy shall be returned to the pit and maintained in a secure place within the pit until collection by a security department employee.

(2) Other dice that were used for play shall be put into envelopes or containers when removed from active use at the table.

(ii) The envelope or container shall be appropriately sealed and maintained within the pit until collection by a security department employee.

(i) Reserve dice in the locked compartment in a pit stand at the end of the gaming day may be:

(1) Collected and transported to the security department for cancellation or destruction.

(2) Returned to the approved storage area.

(3) Retained in the locked compartment in the pit stand for future use.

(j) Reserve dice in the locked compartment in a pit stand at the end of the gaming day that are to be destroyed or cancelled shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container, with a label attached to each envelope or container which identifies the pit stand where the reserve dice were being stored, the date and time the dice where placed in the envelope or container and contains the signature of the pit manager or above.

(k) At the end of each gaming day or, in the alternative, at least once each gaming day, as designated by the certificate holder and approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g), and at other times as may be necessary, a security department employee shall collect and sign all envelopes or containers of used dice and reserve dice that are to be destroyed or cancelled and shall transport the dice to the security department for cancellation or destruction. The security department employee shall also collect duplicate copies of Dice Discrepancy Reports, if applicable.

(l) At the end of each gaming day or, in the alternative, at least once each gaming day, as designated by the certificate holder and approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g), and at other times as may be necessary, an assistant table games shift manager or above may collect all reserve dice in a locked compartment in a pit stand. If collected, reserve dice shall be returned to the approved storage area.

(m) If the reserve dice are not collected, all dice in the dice reserve shall be reinspected in accordance with one of the alternatives listed in subsection (f) prior to their use for gaming, except for those dice maintained in a locked compartment in accordance with subsection (f)(2)(v).

(n) Certificate holders shall submit to the Bureau of Gaming Operations in accordance with § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols) for approval internal control procedures for:

(1) A dice inventory system which includes, at a minimum, records of the following:

(i) The number of three and five dice sticks, and the corresponding number of single die, received from a manufacturer or supplier.

(ii) The balance of three and five dice sticks, and the corresponding number of single die, on hand.

(iii) The number of three and five dice sticks removed from storage.

(iv) The number of three and five dice sticks returned to storage.

(v) The number of single die destroyed or canceled.

(vi) The date of each transaction.

(vii) The signatures of the individuals involved.

(2) A reconciliation on a daily basis of the number of three or five dice sticks distributed, the number of single die destroyed or cancelled, the number of three or five dice sticks returned to the approved storage area and, if any, the reserve three or five dice sticks in a locked compartment in a pit stand.

(3) A physical inventory of all dice at least once every 3 months.

(i) This inventory shall be performed by an individual with no incompatible functions and shall be verified to the balance of dice on hand required under paragraph (1)(i).

(ii) Discrepancies shall immediately be reported to the casino compliance representatives.

(o) Destruction or cancellation of dice, other than those retained for Board or certificate holder inspection, shall be completed within 5 days of collection.

(1) Cancellation must occur by drilling a circular hole of at least 1/4 inch in diameter through the center of the die.

(2) Destruction must occur by shredding or crushing.

(3) The destruction or cancellation of dice must take place in a secure location in the licensed facility covered by the slot machine licensee's surveillance system, the physical characteristics of which shall be approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(f).

58 Pa. Code § 603a.13

The provisions of this § 603a.13 amended January 31, 2014, effective 2/1/2014, 44 Pa.B. 619.

The provisions of this § 603a.13 amended under 4 Pa.C.S. §§ 1202(b)(30), 1207(3) and (9) and 13A02(1), (2) and (4).

This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 668a.3 (relating to dice; shaker; procedure for completion of each round of play); 58 Pa. Code § 675a.3 (relating to dice; shaker); and 58 Pa. Code § 675a.6 (relating to High Roll Dice variation).