1207 - Regulatory authority of board.
§ 1207. Regulatory authority of board. The board shall have the power and its duties shall be to: (1) Deny, deny the renewal, revoke, condition or suspend any license or permit provided for in this part if the board finds in its sole discretion that a licensee or permittee under this part, or its officers, employees or agents, have furnished false or misleading information to the board or failed to comply with the provisions of this part or the rules and regulations of the board and that it would be in the public interest to deny, deny the renewal, revoke, condition or suspend the license or permit. (2) Restrict access to confidential information in the possession of the board which has been obtained under this part and ensure that the confidentiality of information is maintained and protected. Records shall be retained by the board for seven years. (3) Prescribe and require periodic financial reporting and internal control requirements for all licensed entities. (4) Require that each licensed entity provide to the board its audited annual financial statements, with such additional detail as the board from time to time shall require, which information shall be submitted not later than 90 days after the end of the licensee's fiscal year. (5) Prescribe the procedures to be followed by slot machine licensees for any financial event that occurs in the operation and play of slot machines or table games. (6) Prescribe criteria and conditions for the operation of slot machine progressive systems. A wide area progressive slot system shall be collectively administered by participating slot machine licensees in accordance with the terms of a written agreement executed by each participating slot machine licensee and approved by the board. (7) Enforce prescribed hours for the operation of slot machines so that slot machine licensees may operate slot machines on any day during the year in order to meet the needs of patrons or to meet competition. (7.1) Enforce prescribed hours for the operation of table games so that a certificate holder may conduct table games on any day during the year in order to meet the needs of patrons or to meet competition. (8) Require that each licensed gaming entity prohibit persons under 21 years of age from operating or using slot machines or playing table games. (9) Establish procedures for the inspection and certification of compliance of each slot machine, table game, table game device and associated equipment prior to being placed into use by a slot machine licensee. (10) Require that no slot machine may be set to pay out less than the theoretical payout percentage, which shall be no less than 85%, as specifically approved by the board. The board shall adopt regulations that define the theoretical payout percentage of a slot machine game based on the total value of the jackpots expected to be paid by a play or a slot machine game divided by the total value of slot machine wagers expected to be made on that play or slot machine game during the same portion of the game cycle. In so doing, the board shall decide whether the calculation shall include the entire cycle of a slot machine game or any portion thereof. (11) Require each slot machine license applicant to provide detailed site plans of its proposed licensed facility which shall be reviewed and approved by the board for the purpose of determining the adequacy of the proposed security and surveillance measures inside and outside the facility. Applicants will cooperate with the board in making changes to the plans suggested by the board and will ensure that the plans as modified and approved are implemented. (12) Upon request, provide background investigation reports of applicants for licenses and permits for use at racetracks to the State Horse Racing Commission and the State Harness Racing Commission. (13) Require slot machine licensees to provide onsite facilities for use by the board and other appropriate persons for the purpose of carrying out their respective responsibilities under this part. (14) Consult with members of the Pennsylvania State Police, the Office of Attorney General, the department and such other persons it deems necessary for advice regarding the various aspects of the powers and duties imposed on it under this part and its jurisdiction over the authorization, operation and play of slot machines, table games and licensed facilities. (15) Enter into contracts with any person for the purposes of carrying out the powers and duties of the board under this part. (16) Require each slot machine licensee to sell Pennsylvania State Lottery tickets at its licensed facility at a location as near as practicable to the pay windows. (17) Permit, in its discretion and upon application or petition, the use of a temporary facility within which slot machines and table games may be available for play or operation at a licensed facility, for a period not to exceed 24 months, provided that, upon good cause shown, the board may extend permission to operate a temporary facility for an additional 24-month period. (18) (Reserved). (19) Authorize an employee of the board to approve, deny or condition a request to decrease the number of slot machines in operation at a licensed facility. An employee may not approve a requested decrease in the number of slot machines under this paragraph if the requested decrease exceeds 2% of the total number of slot machines in operation at a licensed facility. Except as provided under paragraph (20), at no time shall the number of slot machines in operation at a Category 1 or Category 2 licensed facility be less than 1,500 or less than 250 slot machines at a Category 3 licensed facility. (20) Approve or authorize an employee of the board to approve a temporary reduction in the number of slot machines in operation at a licensed facility under the following circumstances: (i) For the duration of any renovation, remodeling or modification of an area of a licensed facility where slot machines are located. (ii) To enable the licensed facility to respond to an emergency. (21) Authorize, in its discretion, a slot machine licensee to conduct slot machine tournaments and adopt regulations governing the conduct of such tournaments. (Nov. 1, 2006, P.L.1243, No.135, eff. imd.; Jan. 7, 2010, P.L.1, No.1, eff. imd.) 2010 Amendment. Act 1 amended pars. (4), (5), (8), (9), (14) and (17) and added pars. (7.1), (18), (19), (20) and (21). 2006 Amendment. Act 135 amended par. (6). Cross References. Section 1207 is referred to in sections 1103, 13A02 of this title.