Pai Gow Tiles: Receipt; Storage; Inspections, and Removal From Use

(1) When sets of tiles to be used at pai gow are received from the manufacturer or distributor thereof, they shall immediately following receipt be inspected by a member of the security department and a supervisor to assure that the seals on each package are intact, unbroken and free from tampering. Packages that do not satisfy these criteria shall be inspected at this time to assure that the tiles conform to Bureau standards and there is no evidence of tampering. Packages satisfying these criteria, together with packages having unbroken, intact, and untampered seals shall then be placed for storage in a locked cabinet within a primary or secondary storage area. Sets of tiles which are to be distributed to gaming pits or tables for use in gaming shall be distributed from a locked cabinet in the cashiers’ cage or from another secure primary storage area, the location and physical characteristics of which shall be approved by the Bureau. Secondary storage areas shall be used for the storage of surplus tiles. Tiles maintained in secondary storage areas shall not be distributed to gaming pits or tables for use in gaming until the tiles have been moved to a primary storage area. All secondary storage areas shall be located in secure areas, the location and physical characteristics of which shall be approved by the Bureau. (2) All primary and secondary storage areas, other than the cashiers’ cage, shall have two separate locks. The security department shall maintain one key and the casino department or cashiers’ cage shall maintain the other key; provided, however, that no person employed by the casino department below the table games shift manager in the organization hierarchy shall have access to the casino department key. Tiles stored in a cabinet within the cashiers’ cage shall be secured by a lock, the key to which shall be maintained by a table games shift manager or casino supervisor thereof. (3) Immediately prior to the commencement of each gaming day and at such other times as may be necessary, the table games shift manager or supervisor thereof, in the presence of a security officer, shall remove the appropriate number of sets of tiles for that gaming day from a primary storage area. Tiles are to be inspected by surveillance prior to the game beginning for the gaming day or when new tiles are being put into play. (4) All envelopes and containers used to hold or transport tiles shall be transparent. The envelopes or containers and the method used to seal them shall be designed or constructed so that any tampering shall be evident. (5) The table games shift manager or casino supervisor thereof shall distribute sufficient sets of tiles to the pit boss in each pai gow pit. The pit boss shall then distribute the sets to the dealer at each table, and shall place extra sets in reserve at the pit stand. Sets of tiles in reserve shall be placed in a locked compartment, keys to which shall be in the possession of the pit boss or casino supervisor thereof. (6) If during the course of play any damaged tile is detected, the entire set of tiles shall be immediately replaced. The dealer or floorperson shall request that the pit boss bring a substitute set of tiles to the table from the reserve in the pit stand. The set of damaged tiles shall be placed in a sealed envelope, identified by table number, date and time and shall be signed by the dealer and casino supervisor. The pit boss shall maintain the envelope or container in a secure place within the pit until collection by a casino security officer. (7) Tiles used at pai gow shall be changed at least every 12 hours. The supervisor shall collect used tiles which shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container. A label shall be attached to each envelope or container which shall identify the table number, date and time and shall be signed by the dealer and casino supervisor. The pit boss shall maintain the envelopes or containers in a secure place within the pit until collection by a casino security officer. (8) The gaming licensee shall remove any tiles at any time of the gaming day if there is any indication of tampering, flaws, scratches, marks or other defects that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game, or at the request of the Commission or the Bureau. (9) All extra sets of tiles in reserve which have been opened shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container, with a label attached to each envelope or container which identifies the date and time and is signed by the pit boss. (10) At the end of each gaming day or at such other times as may be necessary, a security officer shall collect and sign all envelopes or containers with damaged tiles, tiles used during the gaming day, and all extra tiles in reserve which have been opened, and shall return the envelopes or containers to the security department. (11) At the end of each gaming day or at such other times as may be necessary, a table games shift manager or supervisor thereof may collect all extra sets of tiles in reserve which have not been opened. If collected, all unopened sets of tiles shall either be cancelled or destroyed or returned to the storage area. (12) When the envelopes or containers of used tiles and reserve sets of tiles which have been opened are returned to the security department, they shall be inspected for tampering, marks, alterations, missing or additional tiles or anything that might indicate unfair play. (a) The gaming licensee shall cause to be inspected all sets of tiles used during the gaming day. (b) The procedures for inspecting all sets of tiles shall at least include the following: 1. The sorting of tiles by pairs; 2. The visual inspection of the sides and back of each tile for tampering, markings or alterations; 3. The inspection of the sides and back of each tile with an ultra-violet light; and 4. White light to ensure no light can be seen coming through the tile ensuring that it is not transparent or translucent. (c) The individual performing the inspection required by 205 CMR 146.53 shall complete a work order form which shall detail the procedures performed and list the tables from which the tiles were removed and the results of the inspection. The individual shall sign the form upon completion of the inspection procedures. (d) Evidence of tampering, marks, alterations, missing or additional tiles or anything that might indicate unfair play discovered at this time, or at any other time, shall be immediately reported to the security department and the Bureau. A security department member shall complete a two-part Discrepancy Report, which Report along with the evidence shall be retrieved by an agent of the Bureau. The original and duplicate Report shall contain at a minimum: 1. The date and shift of inspection; 2. The name of the supervisor conducting the inspection. The inspection required by 205 CMR 146.53(12)(a) shall be performed by a supervisor other than the one who originally inspected the tiles; 3. The pit number, table number, and type of game; 4. A description (for example, shaved corners); 5. The signature of the supervisor conducting the inspection; 6. The signature of the security representative taking custody of the tile; and 7. The signature of the agent of the Bureau inspecting or accepting the tile, who shall retain the original and return the duplicate to security. A receipt shall be issued to the agent of the Bureau for any tile retained by the Bureau. The receipt shall be signed the by the security representative releasing the tile to the Bureau and the agent of the Bureau accepting the tile. The receipt shall be retained with the Security copy of the Discrepancy Report. Any tile not retained by the Bureau shall be destroyed in accordance with the licensee’s destruction procedures. (e) If after completing the inspection procedures required in 205 CMR 146.53, it is determined that a complete set of 32 tiles removed from a gaming table is free from tampering, markings, or alterations, that set may be returned to the pai gow storage area for subsequent gaming use in accordance with the gaming licensee’s internal control procedures. In no event may individual tiles from different sets be used to make a complete set for subsequent gaming use. (13) The gaming licensee shall include in their internal control, procedures for: (a) An inventory system which shall include the recordation of at least the following: 1. The balance of sets of tiles on hand; 2. The sets of tiles removed from storage; 3. The sets of tiles returned to storage or received from the manufacturer; 4. The date of the transaction; and 5. The signatures of the individuals involved; (b) A reconciliation on a daily basis of the sets of tiles distributed and the sets of tiles destroyed and cancelled, the sets of tiles returned to the storage area and, if any, the sets of tiles in tile reserve; and (c) A physical inventory of the sets of tiles at least once every three months. This inventory shall be performed by an individual with no incompatible functions and shall be verified to the balance of the sets of tiles on hand as required 205 CMR 146.53(13)(a)1. Any discrepancies shall immediately be reported to the Bureau. (14) Other than tiles retained for Bureau inspection, tiles shall be cancelled or destroyed within 72 hours of collection by the security department. In addition, once tiles retained as evidence by the Bureau are released to the security department, the tiles shall immediately be destroyed or cancelled. (15) Destruction and cancellation of tiles shall take place in a secure place, the location and physical characteristics of which shall be approved by the Bureau. The adequacy of the destruction and cancellation process shall be approved by the Bureau. Destruction of tiles shall be by shredding by the security department or a vendor approved by the Bureau. Cancellation of tiles shall be by drilling a circular hole of at least ¼ of an inch in diameter through the center of each card in the deck.