Title 9 Part 5319

Prior to the commencement of gaming activities, all gaming devices shall be tested and certified by a licensed independent testing laboratory pursuant to Part 5318 of this Title.

Tests shall be performed to determine whether outside influences affect game fairness to the player or create cheating opportunities. The independent testing laboratory approved by the commission also shall perform, where possible, a cursory review of submissions related to electromagnetic interference, radio frequency interference, magnetic interference, liquid spills, power fluctuations and environmental conditions. Electrostatic discharge testing is intended only to simulate techniques observed in the field being used to attempt to disrupt the integrity of electronic gaming devices.

A gaming device shall be designed so that power and data cables into and out of such gaming device can be routed so that such cables are not accessible to the general public. Security-related wires and cables that are routed into a logic area shall be fastened securely within the interior of such device.

A gaming device shall have an identification badge affixed to the exterior of the cabinet of the device by the manufacturer. Such badge shall not be removable without leaving evidence of tampering. Such badge shall include the manufacturer’s name, a unique serial number, the gaming device model number and the date of manufacture.

A gaming device shall not be affected adversely, other than through resets, by surges or dips of 20 percent of the supply voltage. It is acceptable for the equipment to reset so long as no damage to the equipment or loss or corruption of data is experienced in the field. Upon reset, a game shall return to its previous state. It is acceptable for a game to return to a game completion state so long as the game history and all credit and accounting meters reflect a completed game.

The logic area shall be a separately locked cabinet area (with its own locked door), which houses electronic components that have the potential to influence significantly the operation of a gaming device. There may be more than one such logic area in a gaming device. The logic door shall be monitored.

Electronic components that are required to be housed in one or more logic areas shall be:

Following the initiation of an NV memory reset procedure (using an approved NV memory-clear method), a game program shall execute a routine that initializes all bits in critical NV memory to the default state. All memory locations intended to be cleared through such NV memory-clear process shall be fully reset in all cases. The commission shall review and, in the discretion of the commission, approve the methodology for games that allow for partial NV memory clears.

The default reel position or game display immediately after an NV memory reset shall not be the advertised top award on any selectable line. The default game display, upon entering game-play mode, also shall not be the advertised top award. This section applies to the base game only and not to any secondary bonus features.

A configuration setting that causes an obstruction to the electronic accounting meters without an NV memory clear shall not be permitted. A change to the denomination shall be performed by a secure means, which includes access to the locked logic area or other secure method, so long as such method can be controlled by the commission (e.g., security tape, password or PIN-based controls).

Critical memory is used to store all data that is considered vital to the continued operation of a gaming device. Such data include, without limitation:

The term program storage device means the media or an electronic device that contains the critical control program components. Device types include, without limitation, EPROMs, compact flash cards, optical disks, hard drives, solid state drives, USB drives or other storage technology that may evolve. Each program storage device shall:

In addition, CD-ROM, DVD and other optical-disk-based program storage shall not be a re-writeable disk and the session shall be closed to prevent any further writing.

Program storage devices that do not have the ability to be modified while installed in a gaming device during normal operation shall be marked clearly with sufficient information to identify the software and revision level of the information stored in such devices.

A gaming device shall have the ability to allow for an independent integrity check of such device’s software from an outside source. An independent integrity check is required for all control programs that may affect the integrity of the game. In such integrity check, the software shall be authenticated by a third-party device, which may be embedded within the game software, by having an interface port for a third-party device to authenticate the media, or by allowing for removal of the media such that the media can be verified externally. This integrity check shall provide a means for field verification of the software to identify and validate the program. An approved testing laboratory shall, prior to device approval, evaluate the integrity-check method. If the authentication program is contained within the game software, the manufacturer shall receive written approval from the testing laboratory prior to submission for testing.

All patch wires and track cuts shall be documented in a service manual and/or service bulletin and shall be submitted to the testing laboratory. This requirement does not prohibit required repairs in the field.

All paper currency acceptance devices shall be able to detect the entry of valid bills, coupons, vouchers or other approved notes, as applicable, and provide a method to enable the gaming device software to interpret and act appropriately upon a valid or invalid input. A paper currency acceptance device shall be electronically based and be configured to ensure that such device accepts only valid bills of legal tender, coupons, vouchers or other approved notes, and shall reject all other items. Rejected bills, vouchers, coupons or other approved notes should be returned to the player. Vouchers are paper slips that are treated as a unit of currency, which may be redeemed for cash or exchanged for credits on the gaming device. Coupons are paper slips primarily used for promotional purposes, which may be of a cashable or non-cashable value. A bill input system shall be constructed in a manner that protects against vandalism, abuse or fraudulent activity.

If a gaming device is equipped with a bill validator, such bill validator shall be located in a locked area of such gaming device (e.g., require opening of the main door to access), but not in the logic area of such gaming device. Only the bill or voucher insertion area is permitted to be accessible by the player.

Each bill validator shall have a secure stacker and all accepted items shall be deposited into the secure stacker. The secure stacker and its receptacle are to be attached to the gaming device in such a manner so that such stacker and receptacle cannot be removed easily by physical force and shall meet the following rules:

Payment by voucher printer as a method of credit redemption is permissible only when:

A voucher shall at a minimum contain the following printed information:

A gaming device shall display, or shall have displayed on the glass of such gaming device, the following information to the player at all times such gaming device is available for player input:

In the alternative, the items described in subdivisions (e) and (f) of this section may be made available to a player as a menu item or on a help menu. It is recommended that a disclaimer in regard to “malfunction voids all pays” (or equivalent language) be clearly displayed. Should such a disclaimer be used, such information shall be affixed permanently to the exterior of the machine and not be removable.

A game is considered complete when the final transfer to the player’s credit meter takes place or when all credits wagered are lost. The following are all considered to be part of a single game:

The selection of game symbols or production of game outcomes for a gaming device using a RNG shall:

An independent testing laboratory approved by the commission may employ the use of various recognized tests to determine whether or not the random values produced by the random number generator pass the desired confidence level of 99 percent. Such independent testing laboratory may choose the appropriate tests on a case-by-case basis depending on the RNG under review. Such tests may include, without limitation:

A RNG shall be cycled continuously in the background between games and during game play at a speed that cannot be timed by the player.

The first seed shall be determined randomly by an uncontrolled event. After every game there shall be a random change in the RNG process (new seed, random timer, delay, etc.) in order to ensure that the RNG does not start at the same value every time. It is permissible not to use a random seed. Nevertheless, a manufacturer shall ensure that multiple games will not synchronize.

Where a gaming device plays a game that is recognizable to be a simulation of a live casino game, such as poker, blackjack, roulette, etc., the same probabilities associated with the live game shall be evident in the simulated game, unless otherwise denoted on the display or help screen.

For game types such as spinning reel games or video spinning reel games, unless otherwise denoted on the pay glass, the mathematical probability of a symbol appearing in a position for any game outcome shall be constant.

The requirements for games depicting cards being drawn from a deck are the following:

The requirements for games depicting balls being drawn from a pool (e.g., keno) are as follows:

A mechanical-based RNG game is a game that employs the laws of physics in any way to generate the outcome of such game. All mechanical-based RNG games shall meet the requirements of this Part, with the exception of provisions in sections 5319.37, 5319.38 and 5319.43 of this Part that dictate the requirements for electronic random number generators. Mechanical-based RNG games shall meet the following:

The highest single advertised payout on each gaming device shall occur, statistically, at least once in 50 million games. Such requirement shall not apply to multiple awards won together on the same game play where the aggregate prize is not advertised. Such requirement shall not apply to games that make it possible for a player to win the highest win multiple times through the use of free games. This section does apply to each wager that wins the maximum award. If the highest advertised award can occur within a bonus or free-game feature, the odds calculation shall include the odds of obtaining the bonus round, including the odds to achieve the top award.

If a bonus or feature game requires extra credits to be wagered during the bonus and the game accumulates all winnings (from the trigger and the feature to a temporary win meter, rather than directly to the credit meter), such game shall:

It is acceptable for a game to offer a mystery award, which is an award that is not tied to any specific symbol combination, if such game indicates the maximum amount the player potentially could win. If the minimum amount that potentially could be won is not displayed, such amount will be assumed to be zero. In addition, both a minimum and maximum amount shall be displayed for any mystery award if the method to receive such award involves strategy or skill, including methods whereby the value of the pay table is used in order to make decisions that could increase the return to the player (e.g., video poker).

The credit meter shall be maintained in credits or cash value and at all times indicate all credits or cash available for the player to wager or cash out, with the exception of when the player is viewing an informational screen such as a menu or help-screen item. Such screen should be displayed to the player unless a tilt condition or malfunction exists.

If the currency amount is not an even multiple of the tokenization factor for a game or the credit amount has a fractional value, the credits displayed for such game may be displayed and played as a truncated amount (i.e., fractional part removed). However, the fractional credit amount shall be made available to the player when the truncated credit balance is zero.

The value of all prizes awarded shall be added to the player’s credit meter, except for hand-pays or merchandise.

Progressive awards may be added to the credit meter if either:

There shall be a collect meter, which shall show the number of credits or cash, collected by the player upon a cash-out. This meter should be displayed to the player unless a tilt condition or malfunction exists. The number of credits or cash collected shall be subtracted from the player’s credit meter and added to the collect meter. This meter may include hand pays.

The software meter information shall be accessible only by an authorized gaming facility employee and shall have the ability to be displayed on demand using a secure means.

Electronic accounting meters shall be at least 10 digits in length. These meters shall be maintained in credit units equal to the denomination or in dollars and cents. If the meter is being used in dollars-and-cents format, eight digits shall be used for the dollar amount and two digits used for the cents amount. Devices configured for multi-denomination play shall display the units in dollars and cents. The meter shall roll over to zero upon the next occurrence, any time the meter exceeds 10 digits and after 9,999,999,999, or any other value that is logical, has been reached. Occurrence meters shall be at least eight digits in length. Occurrence meters are not required to roll over automatically. Meters shall be labeled so such meters may be clearly understood in accordance with their functions. All gaming devices shall be equipped with a device, mechanism or method for retaining the value of all meter information specified in this section, which shall be preserved in the event of power loss to the gaming device. The following paragraphs (1) through (22) of this subdivision describe accounting meters, except where noted otherwise.

In addition to the master electronic accounting meters required by subdivision (g) of this section, each individual game available for play shall have the pay table meters credits bet (i.e., coin in) and credits won (i.e., coin out) in either credits or dollars. Even if a double-up or gamble game is lost, the initial win amount, and not credits-bet amount, shall be recorded in the game-specific meters.

For each type of double-up or gamble feature offered, there shall be sufficient meters to determine such feature’s actual return percentage, which shall increment accurately every time a double-up or gamble play concludes, including all amounts wagered and won during interim plays. These meters shall reflect amount wagered and amount won. If such gaming device does not supply accounting for the double-up or gamble information, the feature shall provide for the ability to be disabled.

For games that use error codes, a description of gaming-device error codes and their meanings shall be affixed inside the gaming device. This subdivision shall not apply to video-based games.

After a program interruption (e.g., processor reset), software shall be able to recover to the state such software was in immediately prior to the interruption occurring. It is acceptable for the game to return to a game-completion state so long as the game history and all credit and accounting meters comprehend a completed game. If a power failure occurs during acceptance of a bill or other note, the bill validator shall give proper credits or return the note.

When a gaming device is powered down while in an error condition, upon restoring power, the specific error message shall still be displayed and the gaming device shall remain locked-up. If power-down is used as part of the error reset procedure upon power-up or door closure, a gaming device shall check for the error condition and confirm that the error is no longer in existence.

A program shall not be affected adversely by the simultaneous or sequential activation of the various inputs and outputs, such as play buttons, that might, whether intentionally or not, cause malfunctions or invalid results.

On program resumption, the following procedures shall be performed as a minimum requirement:

Microprocessor-controlled reels (e.g., stepper motor reels) shall re-spin automatically to the last-valid-play mode result when the play mode is re-entered and the reel positions have been altered (e.g., the main door is closed, power is restored, audit mode is exited or an error condition cleared).

Software shall be able to detect access to the following doors or secure areas, provided power is supplied to a device:

When a gaming device’s external doors are opened, the game shall cease play, enter an error condition, display an appropriate error message, disable bill acceptance and either sound an alarm or illuminate the tower light, or both.

When all of a gaming device’s external doors are closed, the game shall return to its original state and display an appropriate error message, until the next game has ended.

A game shall be capable of entering a lock-up condition if any awards from a single game cycle are in excess of a limit that is required for Federal or State tax reporting. It is permissible to provide a mechanism to accrue W2-G-eligible winnings to a separate meter. Such meter shall not provide for the ability to place wagers and when collected by the player, the game shall lock-up and require an attendant to assist the player.

If a gaming device is in a test, diagnostic or demo mode, any test that incorporates credits entering or leaving such gaming device shall be completed on resumption of normal operation. No mode other than normal operation (ready for play) shall increment any of the electronic meters. Any credits on the gaming device that were accrued during the test, diagnostic or demo mode shall be cleared automatically before such mode is exited. Specific meters are permissible for these types of modes, provided the meters indicate as such.

The opening of the main cabinet door of a gaming device automatically may place such gaming device in a service or test/diagnostic mode. Test/diagnostic mode may also be entered by action of a gaming facility employee for purposes of an audit. Such modes shall not be accessible to a player.

When exiting from test-diagnostic mode, a game shall return to the original state such game was in when the test mode was entered.

If a gaming device is in a game-test mode, such gaming device shall indicate clearly that such gaming device is in a test mode, not normal play.

All electronic table games (ETGs) shall meet the requirements set forth in sections 5319.12, 5319.13, 5319.14 and 5319.35 of this Part.

Each component of an ETG system shall function as indicated by the communication protocol implemented. All protocols shall use communication techniques that have proper error detection and/or recovery mechanisms that are designed to prevent unauthorized access or tampering, employing data encryption standards or equivalent encryption with secure seeds or algorithms. Any alternative measures shall require approval of the commission in writing.

The server or system component or components shall reside in a secure area where access is limited to authorized staff as set forth in the gaming facility licensee’s approved system of internal controls. Access to the logic components of the game shall be logged on the system or on a computer or other logging device that resides outside the secure area and is not accessible to the employee or employees gaining access to the secure area.

Each RNG shall meet the requirements set forth in section 5319.35 of this Part and the following requirements:

Critical memory storage may be maintained by the player terminal or the system, where applicable.

Player interface terminals may either be a display mechanism where the system performs all operations of the game (also known as thin client) or a mechanism that contains its own logic function in conjunction with the ETG (also known as thick client). Such player interface terminals shall meet the hardware and software requirements set forth in this Part.

A gaming facility shall report any requirements that cannot be met as a result of manual intervention from a live dealer to the commission prior to submission for required testing as set forth in Part 5318 of this Title.