(1) A person who proposes to acquire an ownership interest in a licensed gambling operation may not control or participate in any capacity reflecting ownership in that operation until the applicant's license has been approved by the department as provided for in ARM 23.16.116 or 23.16.117.

(2) If a person has been employed by the licensed gambling operation for more than six consecutive months before submitting to the department the application required in ARM 23.16.116 or 23.16.117, the employee may continue to be employed pending department action.