Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 1112a.4 - Submission for testing and approval(a) A video gaming terminal, redemption terminal and associated equipment identified in subsection (c) (collectively referred to as "products" or "equipment, device or software"), or a modification thereto, may not be offered for sale, lease or distribution for ultimate use by a manufacturer or supplier licensee in this Commonwealth unless a prototype identical in all mechanical, electrical, electronic and other respects has been tested by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations and approved by the Board's Executive Director.(b) When an applicant for, or holder of a terminal operator license develops software or a system that is functionally equivalent to any of the video gaming system enumerated in subsection (c), that software or system is subject to the testing and approval process of this subpart to the same extent as if the software or system were developed by an applicant for, or holder of, a manufacturer license. A reference in this subpart to the responsibilities of a manufacturer applies to an applicant for, or holder of, a terminal operator license developing software or systems subject to testing and approval under this subpart.(c) For the purposes of this section, video gaming terminals, redemption terminals and associated equipment that shall be submitted for testing and approval include all of the following: (1) Video gaming terminals, including bill validators and printers.(2) Video gaming monitoring systems, to the extent the systems interface with video gaming terminals and related systems.(3) Progressive systems, including wide area progressive systems.(4) Gaming voucher systems.(5) Machines performing gaming voucher payout transactions.(6) Other related systems.(d) Video gaming terminal prototypes and modifications thereto, which are subject to testing and approval under this section, will be evaluated by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations for overall operational integrity and compliance with 4 Pa.C.S. Part III (relating to video gaming), this subpart and technical standards adopted by the Board as published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board's web site. In addition, with regard to any video gaming terminal or modification thereto, the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations will test for compatibility and compliance with the central control computer and protocol specifications approved by the Department including the ability to communicate with the central control computer for the purpose of transmitting auditing program information, real time information retrieval and activation, and disabling of slot machines and fully automated electronic gaming tables.(e) The Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations may prescribe a standard product submission checklist, together with supplemental product specific submission checklists for completion by an applicant for, or holder of, a manufacturer license, to facilitate the examination and analysis of a prototype or modification.(f) The Board may require the chief engineer of the applicant for, or holder of, a manufacturer license or the engineer in charge of the division of the manufacturer responsible for producing the product submitted to attest that the product was properly and completely tested by the manufacturer prior to its submission to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations.(g) When an applicant for, or holder of, a manufacturer license seeks Board approval of a video gaming terminal prototype, associated equipment prototype or any modification thereto as described in subsection (c), the manufacturer shall submit to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations all of the following: (1) A prototype of the equipment, device or software accompanied by a written request for testing and approval. The manufacturer shall transport the equipment, device or software at its own expense and deliver it to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations in accordance with provided instructions.(2) Certifications required under subsection (f) providing assurances from the manufacturer that the product was properly and completely tested and emulated by the manufacturer prior to its submission to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations and that the product, device or software complies with 4 Pa.C.S. Part III, this subpart and technical standards adopted by the Board as published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board's web site, including applicable requirements related to the central control computer.(3) An executed copy of a current product submission checklist and any product specific supplemental submission checklists applicable to the submitted equipment, device or software.(4) A complete, comprehensive and technically accurate description of the equipment, device or software, accompanied by applicable diagrams, schematics and specifications, together with documentation with regard to the manner in which the product was tested and emulated by the manufacturer prior to its submission to the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations.(5) Any hardware, software and other equipment, inclusive of technical support and maintenance applicable thereto, required by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations to conduct the testing and approval process contemplated by 4 Pa.C.S. Part III, this subpart and technical standards adopted by the Board as published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board's web site. The testing equipment and services required by this paragraph shall be provided at no cost to the Board.(6) In the case of a video gaming terminal prototype, all of the following additional information:(i) A copy of all executable software, including data and graphics information, on electronically readable, unalterable media.(ii) A copy of all source code for programs that cannot be reasonably demonstrated to have any use other than in a video gaming terminal on electronically readable, unalterable media.(iii) A copy of all graphical images displayed on the video gaming terminal, including reel strips, rules, instructions and paytables.(iv) A mathematical explanation of the theoretical return to the player, listing all assumptions, all steps in the formula from the first principles through to the final results of all calculations including bonus pays and, when a game requires or permits player skill in the theoretical derivations of the payout return, the source of strategy.(v) Hardware block diagrams of the major subsystems.(vi) A complete set of schematics for all subsystems.(vii) A wiring harness connection diagram.(viii) A technical and an operator manual.(ix) A description of security methodologies incorporated into the design of the video gaming terminal, including, when applicable, encryption methodology for all alterable media, auto-authentication of software and recovery capability of the video gaming terminal for power interruption.(x) For meters required by this subpart or technical standards adopted by the Board as published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board's web site, a cross-reference of product meters to the required meters, if necessary.(xi) A description of error conditions and the corresponding action required by the operator.(xii) A description of the use and function of available dip switch settings or configurable options.(xiii) A description of the pseudo random number generator or generators used to determine game outcome, including a detailed explanation of operational methodology, and a description of the manner by which the pseudo random number generator and random number selection process is impervious to outside influences, interference from electro-magnetic, electrostatic and radio frequencies, and influence from ancillary equipment by means of data communications. Test results in support of representations shall be submitted. For the purposes of this subparagraph, "game outcome" means the results of a wager.(xiv) Specialized hardware, software or testing equipment, inclusive of technical support and maintenance, needed to complete the evaluation, which may include an emulator for a specified microprocessor, personal computers, extender cables for CPU boards, target reel strips and door defeats. The testing equipment and services required by this paragraph shall be provided at no cost to the Board.(xv) A compiler, or reasonable access to a compiler, for the purpose of building applicable code modules.(xvi) Program storage media including EPROMs, EEPROMs and any type of alterable media for video gaming terminals.(xvii) Technical specifications for any microprocessor or microcontroller.(xviii) A complete, comprehensive and technically accurate description of the manner in which the video gaming terminals were tested for compatibility and compliance with the central control computer and protocol specifications approved by the Department including the ability to communicate with the central control computer for the purpose of transmitting auditing program information, real time information retrieval and activation and disabling of video gaming terminals.(xix) Additional documentation requested by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations relating to the video gaming terminals.(7) In the case of a modification to a video gaming terminal prototype, including a change in theme, all of the following additional information: (i) A complete, comprehensive and technically accurate description of the proposed modification to the video gaming terminals prototype, accompanied by applicable diagrams, schematics and specifications. (ii) When a change in theme is involved, a copy of the graphical images displayed on the video gaming terminals including reel strips, rules, instructions and paytables.(iii) When a change in the manner in which the theoretical payout percentage is achieved is involved, a mathematical explanation of the theoretical return to the player, listing all assumptions, all steps in the formula from the first principles through to the final results of all calculations including bonus pays and, when a game requires or permits player skill in the theoretical derivations of the payout return, the source of strategy.(iv) A complete, comprehensive and technically accurate description of the manner in which the video gaming terminals were tested for compatibility and compliance with the central control computer and protocol specifications approved by the Department including the ability to communicate with the central control computer for the purpose of transmitting auditing program information, real time information retrieval and activation and disabling of video gaming terminals.(v) Additional documentation requested by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations relating to the modification of the video gaming terminals.(8) In the case of a video gaming terminals monitoring system or automated gaming voucher machine, or any other equipment or system required to be tested and approved under subsection (c), all of the following: (i) A technical and an operator manual.(ii) A description of security methodologies incorporated into the design of the machine to include, when applicable, password protection, encryption methodology and its application, auto-authentication, network redundancy, back-up and recovery procedures.(iii) A complete schematic or network diagram of the machine's major components accompanied by a description of each component's functionality and a software object report. The description must disclose the functions performed by each component.(iv) A description of the data flow, in narrative and in schematic form, including specifics with regard to data cabling.(v) A list of computer operating systems and third-party software incorporated into the system together with a description of their interoperability.(vi) System software and hardware installation procedures.(vii) A list of available system reports.(viii) When applicable, features for each machine which may include employee card functions, reconciliation procedures and patron services.(ix) A description of the interoperability testing including test results for each submitted machine's connection to, as applicable, computerized systems for counting money and vouchers. This list must identify the tested products by manufacturer, model and software identification and version number.(x) A narrative describing the method used to authenticate software.(xii) A complete, comprehensive and accurate description, accompanied by applicable diagrams, schematics and specifications, of the creation of a voucher and the redemption options available.(xiii) Any specialized hardware, software or other equipment, inclusive of technical support and maintenance applicable thereto, required by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations to conduct the testing and approval process contemplated by 4 Pa.C.S. Part III, this subpart and technical standards adopted by the Board as published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board's web site. The testing equipment and services required by this paragraph shall be provided at no cost to the Board.(xiv) Additional documentation requested by the Board related to the equipment or system being tested.(9) In the case of a modification to any of the systems identified in paragraph (8), all of the following additional information: (i) A complete, comprehensive and technically accurate description of the proposed modification to the machine, accompanied by applicable diagrams, schematics and specifications.(ii) A brief narrative disclosing the purpose for the modification.(iii) Additional documentation requested by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations relating to the modification.(h) At the conclusion of testing of a prototype or modification by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations, but prior to a decision to approve a prototype or modification, the Board's Executive Director may require a trial period of scope and duration as he deems appropriate to assess the operation of the prototype or modification in a live gaming environment. The conduct of the trial period is subject to compliance by the licensed manufacturer, applicable licensed suppliers, gaming service provider and the terminal operator with specific terms and conditions as may be required by the Board's Executive Director, which may include development and implementation of product specific accounting and internal controls, periodic data reporting to the Board's Executive Director and compliance with technical standards on trial periods or the prototype or modification adopted by the Board as published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and posted on the Board's web site. The Board's Executive Director may authorize the receipt of compensation by a licensed manufacturer, licensed supplier or gaming service provider during the trial period. The Board's Executive Director may terminate the trial period if he determines that the licensed manufacturer, licensed suppliers, gaming service provider or terminal operator conducting the trial period has not complied with the terms and conditions required by the Board's Executive Director or that the product is not performing as expected.(i) At the conclusion of testing of a prototype or modification, the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations will report to the Board's Executive Director the results of its testing. Upon receipt of the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations' report, the Board's Executive Director will:(1) Approve, approve with conditions or reject the submitted prototype or modification.(2) Require additional testing or a trial period under subsection (h).(j) The Board's Executive Director approval of a prototype or modification does not constitute a guarantee of the prototype's or modification's safety.(k) A terminal operator is prohibited from installing in an establishment licensee's facility a video gaming terminal or associated equipment, or modification thereto, that is required to be tested unless the equipment, device or software has been approved by the Board's Executive Director. A terminal operator may not modify, alter or tamper with an approved video gaming terminal or associated equipment. A video gaming terminal or associated equipment installed in an establishment licensees' facility in contravention of this requirement will be subject to seizure by the Board. (l) Notwithstanding subsection (k), the Board's Executive Director may authorize installation of a modification to a video gaming terminal prototype, or associated equipment prototype on an emergency basis to prevent cheating or malfunction, upon the written request of a licensed manufacturer. The request must expressly detail the name and employer of any persons to be involved in the installation of the modification and the manner in which it is to be effected. Within 15 days of receipt of any authorization to install an emergency modification, the manufacturer shall submit the modification for full testing and approval in accordance with this subpart.(m) A terminal operator shall immediately notify the Bureau of Casino Compliance of any known or suspected defect or malfunction in any video gaming terminal or associated equipment installed in its licensed facility. The terminal operator shall comply with instructions issued by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations with regard to the continued operation of the video gaming terminal or associated equipment.(n) Concurrent with the initial receipt of video gaming terminals, a terminal operator shall file a video gaming terminal master list.(o) The testing of equipment, devices or software under this subpart may require the dismantling of the product and testing that may result in damage to, or destruction of, one or more systems or components. Once submitted for testing, equipment, devices or software will not be returned to the manufacturer. This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 1112a.3 (relating to testing and approval generally); 58 Pa. Code § 1112a.8 (relating to gaming vouchers); 58 Pa. Code § 1112a.9 (relating to redemption terminals); 58 Pa. Code § 1112a.10 (relating to progressive video gaming terminals); and 58 Pa. Code § 1112a.11 (relating to video gaming terminal monitoring systems).