Progressive Slot Machines

Progressive Slot Machines. (a) As used in this section: 1. "Progressive jackpot" means a slot machine payoff that increases automatically over time or as the machine or another operated by a single licensee is played. 2. "Base amount" means the amount of the progressive jackpot initially offered before it increases. 3. "Incremental amount" means the difference between the amount of a progressive jackpot and its base amount. 4. “Wide area progressive jackpot” means a payoff on a slot machine that is part of a network of machines located at the establishments of more than one licensee, which payoff increases automatically over time or as that machine or others that are part of the network are played. (b) A meter that shows the amount of the progressive jackpot must be conspicuously displayed at or near the machines to which the jackpot applies. At least weekly each licensee shall record the amount shown on each progressive jackpot meter at the licensee's establishment except for those jackpots that can be paid directly by the slot machine or those offered in conjunction with a wide area progressive system. Explanations for meter reading decreases must be maintained with the progressive meter reading sheets, and where the payment of a jackpot is the explanation for a decrease the licensee shall record the jackpot payout form number on the sheet or have the number reasonably available. Each licensee shall record the base amount of each progressive jackpot the licensee offers. A progressive controller used to control communications between linked progressive machines shall be housed in a secure environment with accessibility only available to authorized personnel. (c) A licensee may limit a progressive jackpot to an amount that is equal to or greater than the amount of the jackpot when the limit is imposed. The licensee shall post a conspicuous notice of the limit at or near the machine or machines to which the limit applies. (d) A licensee shall not reduce the amount displayed on a progressive jackpot meter or otherwise reduce or eliminate a progressive jackpot unless: 1. A player wins the jackpot; 2. The licensee adjusts the progressive jackpot meter to correct a malfunction or to prevent the display of an amount greater than a limit imposed pursuant to subsection(c) and the licensee documents the adjustment and the reasons for it; 3. The licensee distributes the incremental amount to another progressive jackpot at the licensee's establishment and; i. The licensee documents the distribution; ii. Any machine offering the jackpot to which the licensee distributes the incremental amount does not require that more money be played on a single play to win the jackpot than the machine from which the incremental amount is distributed; iii. Any machine offering the jackpot to which the incremental amount is distributed complies with the minimum theoretical payout requirement of Regulation Part 4 Rule 2.4; and iv. The distribution is completed within thirty (30) days after the progressive jackpot is removed from play or within such longer period as the Executive Director may for good cause approve. 4. The Executive Director, upon a showing of exceptional circumstances, approves a reduction, elimination, distribution, or procedure not otherwise described in this subsection, which approval is confirmed in writing. (e) A licensee shall not reserve progressive slot machines for specific patrons. (f) The operation of wide area progressive slot machines as part of a network of separate gaming facilities licensed by the Commission with an aggregate prize or prizes is allowed. The licensee of a wide area progressive slot system is subject to subsections (b) and (c) as well as any additional conditions imposed by the Commission. The licensee of a wide area progressive slot system shall not reduce the amount displayed on a wide area progressive jackpot meter or otherwise reduce or eliminate a wide area progressive jackpot unless: 1. A player wins the wide area progressive jackpot; 2. The wide area progressive licensee adjusts the progressive jackpot meter to correct a malfunction or to prevent the display of an amount greater than a limit imposed pursuant to subsection (c) above and that licensee documents the adjustment and the reasons for it; 3. The wide area progressive licensee distributes the incremental amount to another wide area progressive system or in proportional amounts to the slot systems of the separate establishments which are part of the network of participating gaming facilities and subsections (d)(3)(i) through (iv) above are satisfied. 4. The Executive Director, upon a showing of exceptional circumstances, approves a reduction, elimination, distribution, or procedure not otherwise described in this subsection, which approval is confirmed in writing. (g) Licensees shall preserve the records required by this section for at least three (3) years after they are made unless the Executive Director approves otherwise in writing. (Adopted: 09/25/1991; Amended: 03/16/2000.)