23.16.1901    GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS OF VGMS

(1) Each VGM model or modification must:

(a) be tested and approved by the department before it may be sold or permitted. The department's approval of a VGM is limited to the manufacturer to whom the approval was granted and may not be transferred. The department may inspect any VGM sold or permitted in the state. All owners or permit holders must grant the department immediate access to inspect VGMs in their possession. Keys to allow access to a VGM for inspection may be provided to the department or must be immediately available at the premises;

(b) be operated by the players in the manner specified by this part;

(c) not have any means of manipulation that could affect the accounting, and operation or outcome of a game. The VGM may not have any functions or parameters adjustable by any separate video display or input codes except for the adjustment of features that are wholly cosmetic or other operational parameters as approved by the Gambling Control Division;

(d) offer only those games defined as video gambling in Title 23, chapter 5, MCA, and operate in the following manner:

(i) in the case of poker, after the initial cards have been dealt, the player may be allowed to raise his wager but the player may not exceed the overall statutory bet limit;

(ii) each game title must display the combinations for which credits/cash value will be awarded and the credits/cash value awarded for each combination;

(iii) the VGM must have locked doors to two separate areas, one containing the logic board and software for the game and the other housing the cash. Conventional media storage devices must be accessible from the front of the VGM. Access from one area to another must not be allowed;

(iv) the VGM may have a mechanism that accepts cash in the form of bills that do not exceed $100;

(v) in the case of poker, each VGM must use a color display with images of cards that closely resemble standard poker playing cards;

(vi) the VGM must be capable of printing a ticket voucher for all credits/cash value owed the player at the completion of each game. A valid ticket voucher must contain the following information in a format prescribed by the department:

(A) the name of the licensed establishment;

(B) the name of the city, town, or county in which the licensed establishment is located;

(C) the VGM serial number;

(D) the VGM identification number (VGMID) assigned to the VGM;

(E) the time of day in hours, minutes, and seconds in a 24-hour format. The clock must automatically account for daylight savings time and indicate "S" for standard time and "D" for daylight savings time;

(F) the current date;

(G) the program name;

(H) the cash value in numerals;

(I) the cash value in words;

(J) the sequential number of the ticket voucher;

(K) this notice clearly displayed on the ticket voucher: "Ticket Void After 48 hours."

(vii) the printing mechanism must be located in a locked area of the VGM to ensure the safekeeping of the audit copy. The printing mechanism must have a paper sensing device that upon sensing a "low paper" condition will allow the VGM to finish printing the ticket and prevent further play. The VGM must recognize a printer power loss occurrence and cease play until power has been restored to the printer and the VGM is capable of producing a valid ticket voucher;

(viii) the VGM must have non-resettable mechanical meters of at least seven digits, housed in a readily accessible locked VGM area. These meters must be in a configuration prescribed by the department. The mechanical meters must be manufactured in such a way as to prevent access to the internal parts without destroying the meter. The department may require and provide a validating identification sticker to attach to the mechanical meters to verify the meters are assigned to a specific licensed VGM. The meters must keep a permanent record of:

(A) total dollars accepted by the coin acceptor mechanism(s) (if applicable), and bill acceptor (if applicable);

(B) total dollars played;

(C) total dollars won;

(D) total dollars paid;

(ix) the VGM must contain electronic metering, using meters that record and display the following on the video screen in a format prescribed by the department:

(A) total cents through mechanism(s) 1 and 2 (if applicable);

(B) total cents through the bill acceptor (if applicable);

(C) total cents, total cents played, total cents won, and total cents paid;

(D) total games played and total games won;

(E) total cents played and total cents won for each distinct paytable available for play; and

(F) any other metering required by these rules;

(x) the VGM must issue by use of the audit key, an accounting ticket containing a performance synopsis of the VGM and progressive accounting data if applicable. The printing of all totals from the electronic meters shall occur automatically each time access occurs to either the logic compartment or any compartment where cash is collected. Whenever a lifetime memory clear is performed, each VGM must produce a full accounting ticket both before and after each resetting. The tickets must be in the format prescribed by the department and contain:

(A) the name of the licensed establishment;

(B) the name of city, town, or county in which the licensed establishment is located;

(C) the VGM serial number;

(D) the VGM identification number (VGMID) assigned to the VGM;

(E) the time of day in hours, minutes, and seconds in a 24-hour format. The clock must automatically account for daylight savings time and indicate "S" for standard time and "D" for daylight savings time;

(F) the current date;

(G) the program name; and

(H) the electronic meter readings required by the department;

(xi) each VGM must have a manufacturer identification tag permanently affixed to it by the VGM manufacturer. The tag must be affixed in a location approved by the department and must include the following information:

(A) manufacturer;

(B) serial number;

(C) model; and

(D) date of manufacture;

(xii) the VGM must clearly display a statement that no person under the age of 18 years is allowed to play;

(xiii) each VGM and peripheral electronic device must pass a static test that is determined by the department;

(xiv) a VGM shall be equipped with a surge protector that will feed all A.C. electrical current to the VGM and maintain for a 30-day period the accuracy of all electronic meters, date, and time during power fluctuations and loss.

(2) Any modifications made to an approved VGM must be submitted to the department for approval prior to installation. If a modification is substantial or if a series of minor modifications results in a substantial modification, the VGM as modified must meet all specifications in effect at the time of submission. A licensee's challenge to the department's determination that a modification is substantial must proceed under ARM 23.16.203.

(3) When the department finds that any EPRS, CTVS, AARS, VGM, VGM component, or game title does not comply with statutes and rules applicable at the time of approval, or its actual operation differs from its intended and approved functioning, the department may require game title(s) to be disabled, suspend or revoke a permit, or revoke approval of the EPRS, CTVS, AARS, VGM, or VGM component. The department may also require game title(s) to be disabled, suspend or revoke the permits, or revoke approval of models of an EPRS, CTVS, AARS, VGM, or VGM component similar to one the department finds noncompliant.

 

History: 23-5-115, 23-5-602, 23-5-621, MCA; IMP, 23-5-136, 23-5-602, 23-5-603, 23-5-608, 23-5-610, 23-5-621, 23-5-637, MCA; EMERG, NEW, 1985 MAR p. 1623, Eff. 11/1/85; TRANS, from Dept. of Revenue, Ch. 154, L. 1987, Eff. 3/22/87; AMD, 1987 MAR p. 1972, Eff. 10/30/87; TRANS, from Dept. of Commerce, Ch. 642, L. 1989, Eff. 7/1/89; EMERG, AMD, 1990 MAR p. 828, Eff. 4/27/90; AMD, 1991 MAR p. 1942, Eff. 10/18/91; AMD, 1993 MAR p. 2786, Eff. 11/25/93; AMD, 1994 MAR p. 2834, Eff. 10/28/94; AMD, 1997 MAR p. 404, Eff. 2/25/97; AMD, 1998 MAR p. 1176, Eff. 5/1/98; AMD, 2000 MAR p. 1638, Eff. 6/30/00; AMD, 2002 MAR p. 2441, Eff. 9/13/02; AMD, 2003 MAR p. 1282, Eff. 6/27/03; AMD, 2003 MAR p. 1989, Eff. 9/12/03; AMD, 2005 MAR p. 1281, Eff. 7/15/05; AMD, 2007 MAR p. 42, Eff. 1/12/07; AMD, 2011 MAR p. 1681, Eff. 1/1/12; AMD, 2011 MAR p. 2628, Eff. 12/9/11; AMD, 2018 MAR p. 1958, Eff. 10/6/18; AMD, 2019 MAR p. 1860, Eff. 10/19/19; AMD, 2022 MAR p. 48, Eff. 1/15/22.