§1020. Registration of slot machines
1.
Registration required.
A slot machine may not be operated or distributed pursuant to this chapter unless the slot machine is registered by the board, the slot machine operator is licensed by the board and each slot machine distributor or gambling services vendor that distributed the slot machine or the slot machine's associated equipment is licensed by the board or the slot machine is distributed to and operated by an accredited postsecondary institution for the purposes of training and education under section 1011, subsection 1‑B.
[PL 2019, c. 614, §3 (AMD).]
2.
Requirements for registration.
To be registered, a slot machine:
A.
May not have any means of manipulation that affect the random probabilities of winning a game;
[PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. A, §5 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. B, §11 (AFF).]
B.
Must have one or more mechanisms that accept money or tokens, credits or similar objects or things of value and that are designed to prevent a person from obtaining credits or cash without paying;
[PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. A, §5 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. B, §11 (AFF).]
C.
Must be designed to suspend operation until reset if a person attempts, by physical or other tampering, to obtain credits or cash without paying;
[PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. A, §5 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. B, §11 (AFF).]
D.
[PL 2013, c. 212, §23 (RP).]
E.
Must have accounting software that keeps an electronic record of information that includes, but is not limited to, total cash inserted into the slot machine; total cash awarded, total credits played for games and total credits distributed by tickets issued by the slot machine; and the payback percentage of each game;
[PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. A, §5 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. B, §11 (AFF).]
F.
Must have technology compatible with the licensee's facility-based monitoring system;
[PL 2023, c. 549, §12 (AMD); PL 2023, c. 549, §15 (AFF).]
G.
Must have a minimum average daily aggregate payback percentage of 89% computed for all slot machines operated at each slot machine facility or casino on a quarterly basis; and
[PL 2013, c. 212, §24 (AMD).]
H.
Must have, in addition to the requirements of paragraphs A to G, other such characteristics as the board may establish by rule.
[PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. A, §5 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. B, §11 (AFF).]
[PL 2023, c. 549, §12 (AMD); PL 2023, c. 549, §15 (AFF).]
3.
Limits on total slot machines.
The board shall determine the number of slot machines to be registered in the State. The board shall make this determination based upon the minimum net slot machine income, when distributed pursuant to section 1036, necessary to maintain the harness horse racing industry in this State, except that:
A.
Except for slot machines used for training and educational purposes at postsecondary institutions as provided by section 1011, subsection 1‑B, the total number of slot machines registered in the State may not exceed 3,000; and
[PL 2011, c. 585, §8 (AMD).]
B.
A slot machine operator may not operate more than 1,500 slot machines at any one commercial track and a casino operator may not operate more than 1,500 slot machines at a casino.
[IB 2009, c. 2, §37 (AMD).]
[PL 2011, c. 585, §8 (AMD).]
4.
Certification of slot machines and associated equipment.
The board shall, in cooperation with the department, approve qualified independent laboratories for certification of slot machines and slot machine associated equipment from slot machine distributors and gambling services vendors seeking registration as required in this chapter. The board shall require the slot machine distributor or gambling services vendor seeking certification of the slot machine or slot machine associated equipment to pay the board-approved independent laboratory the cost of the certification before the certification is completed. The board may adopt rules to establish the approval process to verify certifications, approve shipments and inspect slot machines. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
[PL 2023, c. 549, §13 (AMD); PL 2023, c. 549, §15 (AFF).]
5.
Unregistered or noncompliant slot machine subject to confiscation.
A slot machine that is not registered as required by this section or that does not comply with the requirements of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter is contraband and a public nuisance and the slot machine and the slot machine's monetary contents, monetary proceeds and associated equipment are subject to confiscation by any law enforcement officer. Slot machines and any monetary contents, monetary proceeds and associated equipment confiscated pursuant to this section are subject to forfeiture in accordance with the procedures outlined in Title 17‑A, section 959 or 960.
[PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. A, §5 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. B, §11 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2003, c. 687, §A5 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 687, §B11 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 663, §9 (AMD). IB 2009, c. 2, §37 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 585, §§7, 8 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 212, §§23, 24 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 614, §§3, 4 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 549, §§12, 13 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 549, §15 (AFF).