Investigation, Determination, and Appeals for Gaming Establishment Employees and Vendors

(1) Upon receipt of an application for a key gaming employee license in accordance with 205 CMR 134.01, a gaming employee license in accordance with 205 CMR 134.02, a gaming service employee registration in accordance with 205 CMR 134.03, a gaming vendor license in accordance with 205 CMR 134.04(1), a non-gaming vendor registration in accordance with 205 CMR 134.04(4), or the disclosure materials from a gaming vendor qualifier in accordance with 205 CMR 134.04(4), the Division of Licensing shall conduct a review of each for administrative completeness and then forward the application or submission to the Bureau which shall conduct an investigation of the applicant. In the event an application or submission is deemed incomplete, the Division of Licensing mayeither request supplemental information from the applicant or qualifier, or administratively close the application in accordance with 205 CMR 134.14. For individuals, the investigation shall include obtaining and reviewing criminal offender record information from the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) and exchanging fingerprint data and criminal history with the Massachusetts Department of State Police and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. The investigation shall be conducted for purposes of determining whether the applicant is suitable to be issued a license or registration in accordance with 205 CMR 134.10 and 134.11. In determining the weight to be afforded anyinformation bearing on suitability in accordance with 205 CMR 134.10 and 134.11, the Division of Licensing, Bureau, or commission, as applicable, shall consider: the relevance of the information to employment in a gaming establishment or doing business with a gaming establishment in general, whether there is a pattern evident in the information, and whether the applicant is likely to be involved in gaming related activity. Further, the information will be considered in the light most favorable to the applicant, unless the information cannot be so viewed pursuant to M.G.L. c. 23K or the information obtained does not otherwise support such view. For purposes of 205 CMR 134.00, and M.G.L. c. 23K, § 16, an adjudication of delinquency shall not be considered a conviction. Such a finding may, however, be considered for purposes of determining the suitability of an applicant. Sealed or expunged records of criminal or delinquency appearances, dispositions, and/or any information concerning such acts shall not be considered for purposes of making a suitability determination in accordance with 205 CMR 134.00, and M.G.L. c. 23K. (a) Keys Gaming Employee-executive, Key Gaming Employee-standard, and Gaming Employees. Upon completion of the investigation conducted in accordance with 205 CMR 134.09(1), the Bureau shall either approve or deny the application for a key gaming employee-executive license, key gaming employee-standard license or a gaming employee license pursuant to 205 CMR 134.10. If the application for a Key Gaming Employee-standard license or Gaming Employee license is approved, the Bureau shall forward a written approval to the Division of Licensing which shall issue a license to the applicant on behalf of the Commission. If the Bureau approves the application for a Key Gaming Employee-executive, the decision shall be forwarded to the Commission as a recommendation along with the application materials for review and issuance of the license. If the application is denied, the Bureau shall forward the recommendation for denial and reasons therefor to the Division of Licensing which shall issue a written decision to the applicant explaining the reasons for the denial. The decision shall include an advisory to the applicant that they may appeal the decision in accordance with 205 CMR 101.00: M.G.L. c. 23K Adjudicatory Proceedings. If the denial is based upon information contained in the individual's criminal record, the decision shall also include an advisory that the individual will be provided with a copy of their criminal record upon request and that they may challenge the accuracy of any relevant entry therein. The decision may be served via first class mail or via email to the addresses provided by the applicant on the application. (b) Gaming Service Employees. The Division of Licensing shall issue a gaming service employee registration to the applicant on behalf of the commission in accordance with 205 CMR 134.11(1). In the event that the Bureau determines upon completion of the investigation conducted in accordance with 205 CMR 134.09(1) that the applicant should be disqualified from holding a registration or is otherwise unsuitable in accordance with 205 CMR 134.11, it shall forward the results of the investigation to the Division of Licensing which shall issue a written notice to the registrant denying or revoking the registration. The notice shall include an advisory to the applicant that they shall immediately cease employment at the gaming establishment and may request an appeal hearing in accordance with 101.00: M.G.L. c. 23K Adjudicatory Proceedings. If the denial is based upon the information contained in the individual's criminal record, the decision shall also include an advisory that the individual will be provided with a copy of their criminal record upon request and that they may challenge the accuracy of any relevant entry therein. The notice may be served via first class mail or via email to the addresses provided by the applicant on the application. (c) Gaming Vendors. Upon completion of the investigation, conducted in accordance with 205 CMR 134.09(1), the Bureau shall either approve or deny the application for a gaming vendor license pursuant to 205 CMR 134.10. If the Bureau approves the application for a Gaming Vendor, the Bureau shall forward a written approval to the Division of Licensing which shall issue a license to the applicant on behalf of the Commission. If the application is denied, the Bureau shall forward the determination of denial and reasons therefor to the Division of Licensing which shall issue a written decision to the applicant explaining the reasons for the denial. The decision shall include an advisory to the applicant that they may appeal the decision in accordance with 205 CMR 101.00: M.G.L. c. 23K Adjudicatory Proceedings. If the denial is based upon information contained in a person's criminal record, the decision shall also include an advisory that the person will be provided with a copy of their criminal record upon request and that they may challenge the accuracy of any relevant entry therein. The decision may be served via first class mail or email to the addresses provided by the applicant on the application. (d) Non-gaming Vendors. The Division of Licensing shall issue a non-gaming vendor registration to the applicant on behalf of the commission in accordance with 205 CMR 134.11(1). In the event that the Bureau determines, upon completion of the investigation conducted in accordance with 205 CMR 134.09(1), that the applicant should be disqualified from holding a registration or is otherwise unsuitable in accordance with 205 CMR 134.11, it shall forward the results of the investigation to the Division of Licensing which shall issue a written notice to the registrant denying or revoking the registration. The notice shall include an advisory to the applicant that they shall immediately cease doing business with the gaming establishment and may request an appeal hearing in accordance with 205 CMR 101.00: M.G.L. c. 23K Adjudicatory Proceedings. If the denial is based upon the information contained in the person's criminal record, the decision shall also include an advisory that the person will be provided with a copy of their criminal record upon request and that they may challenge the accuracy of any relevant entry therein. The notice may be served via first class mail or via email to the addresses provided by the applicant on the application. (e) Labor Organizations. The Bureau shall issue a Labor Organization registration to the applicant on behalf of the commission in accordance with 205 CMR 134.11(1).