Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
Section 813a.4 - Interactive gaming tournaments(a) An organized event that permits a player to purchase or be awarded the opportunity to engage in competitive play against other players (that is, a tournament) may be permitted providing all of the following: (1) Prior to conducting an interactive gaming tournament, an interactive gaming certificate holder or an interactive gaming operator shall file for approval of the terms and conditions of each interactive gaming tournament type with the Bureau of Gaming Operations as part of the certificate holder's or licensee's internal controls. The terms and conditions shall be followed and include, at a minimum, all of the following: (i) Game type (for example, Hold 'Em Poker). (ii) Rules concerning tournament play and participation. (iii) All conditions registered players shall meet to qualify for entry into, and advancement through, the tournament. (iv) Any conditions concerning late arrivals or complete tournament no-shows and how auto-blind posting or initial entry purchase, or both, is handled. (v) Funding source amounts comprising the prize pool (for example, buy-ins, re-buys or add-ons). (vi) Prize structure on payout. (vii) Methodology for determining win. (viii) Any other information as the Board may require. (2) While enabled for tournament play, a game may not accept real money from any source, nor pay out real money in any way, and must utilize tournament specific credits, points or chips which do not have cash value. (b) The terms and conditions of all interactive gaming tournaments communicated to players shall be posted on the interactive gaming web site and stated in a clear and conspicuous manner using plain language. The terms and conditions of each interactive gaming tournament must be readily accessible and remain available for review by the player until the interactive gaming tournament is complete. (c) An interactive gaming certificate holder or an interactive gaming operator may be required to discontinue, as expeditiously as possible, an interactive gaming tournament upon receipt of written notice from the Board's Executive Director that the Board's Executive Director has determined that the conduct of an interactive gaming tournament could adversely impact the public or the integrity of gaming. (d) An interactive gaming certificate holder or an interactive gaming operator shall submit a notice of intent to conduct an interactive gaming tournament at least 5 business days prior to the start of the tournament. The notice shall be submitted electronically to the Bureau of Gaming Operations using the Internal Controls and Table Games Submission Form, which is posted on the Board's web site, and must include all of the following: (1) The type of game to be played. (2) The dates and times the tournament will be conducted. (3) Participation eligibility requirements including all of the following: (i) Who is eligible to participate. (ii) The minimum and maximum number of participants. (iii) Entry fees charged. (4) The monetary amount or description of the prizes to be awarded. (5) Any other information as the Board may require. (e) Submission of a proposed schedule may not require the interactive gaming certificate holder or interactive gaming operator to conduct all tournaments in the schedule. (f) An interactive gaming certificate holder or interactive gaming operator may seek to amend or modify the schedule at any time by filing a written request with the Board's Executive Director. (g) An interactive gaming certificate holder or interactive gaming operator shall maintain records related to the conduct of interactive gaming tournaments in accordance with § 465a.6(c) (relating to retention, storage and destruction of books, records and documents). These records shall be made available to Board staff and the Department upon request and must include all of the following: (1) A full accounting of gross interactive gaming revenue for each tournament including cash received as entry fees and the total of cash or cash equivalents paid out to registered players. (2) The names and addresses of all prize winners and the prize each winner was awarded.