2022 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 4 - AMUSEMENTS
Chapter 13B - Interactive Gaming
Section 13B12 - Interactive gaming certificate required and content of petition
(a) Certificate required.--No person shall operate or conduct or attempt to operate or conduct interactive gaming, except for test purposes as approved by the board, or offer interactive gaming for play by the public in this Commonwealth without first obtaining an interactive gaming certificate or an interactive gaming license from the board. A slot machine licensee may seek approval to conduct interactive gaming by filing a petition for an interactive gaming certificate with the board. The board shall prescribe the form and the manner in which it shall be filed.
(a.1) Timing of petition and eligibility.--The following shall apply:
(1) No later than 90 days after the date the board begins accepting petitions under this chapter, a slot machine licensee may file a petition with the board for an interactive gaming certificate. If the board approves a petition for an interactive gaming certificate under this paragraph, the board shall authorize the interactive gaming certificate holder to offer any category of interactive gaming.
(2) Between 90 days and 120 days after the date the board begins accepting petitions under this chapter, a slot machine licensee may file a petition with the board for an interactive gaming certificate. If the board approves a petition for an interactive gaming certificate under this paragraph, the board shall authorize the interactive gaming certificate holder to offer the categories of interactive gaming identified in the slot machine licensee's petition under subsection (b)(4.1).
(3) One hundred twenty days after the date the board begins accepting petitions under this chapter, a qualified gaming entity may file a petition with the board for an interactive gaming certificate. If the board approves a petition for an interactive gaming certificate under this paragraph, the board shall authorize the interactive gaming certificate holder to offer the categories of interactive gaming identified in the slot machine licensee's petition under subsection (b)(4.1).
(4) A qualified gaming entity which files a petition for an interactive gaming certificate under paragraph (3) shall be considered a slot machine licensee for the purposes of this subchapter.
(5) Any slot machine licensee who becomes licensed after the effective date of this section shall have 90 days from the date of licensure to submit a petition with the board for an interactive gaming certificate. If the board approves a petition for an interactive gaming certificate under this paragraph, the board shall authorize the interactive gaming certificate holder to offer any category of interactive gaming. After 90 days but before 120 days from the date of licensure, the slot machine licensee may file a petition with the board for an interactive gaming certificate. If the board approves a petition for an interactive gaming certificate under this paragraph, the board shall authorize the interactive gaming certificate holder to offer the categories of interactive gaming identified in the slot machine licensee's petition under subsection (b)(4.1). After 120 days from the date of licensure, a qualified gaming entity may file a petition with the board for an interactive gaming certificate in the categories of interactive games for which the slot machine licensee did not seek authorization.
(6) For the purposes of this subsection, a "qualified gaming entity" shall be a gaming entity licensed in any jurisdiction which has satisfied the requirements of this chapter and any other criteria established by the board, including financial and character suitability requirements.
(a.2) Number of interactive gaming certificates authorized.--
(1) The board may issue a maximum number of interactive gaming certificates as provided under this subsection:
(i) An amount not to exceed one certificate for peer-to-peer interactive games per Category 1, Category 2 or Category 3 slot machine license.
(ii) An amount not to exceed one certificate for non-peer-to-peer interactive games which simulate table games per Category 1, Category 2 or Category 3 slot machine license.
(iii) An amount not to exceed one certificate for non-peer-to-peer interactive games which simulate slot machines per Category 1, Category 2 or Category 3 slot machine license.
(2) An interactive gaming certificate which authorizes multiple categories of interactive games shall count as an interactive gaming certificate in each category of interactive game authorized under this section.
(b) Content of petition.--In addition to information and documentation demonstrating that the slot machine licensee is qualified for an interactive gaming certificate under this chapter, a petition for an interactive gaming certificate shall include the following:
(1) The name, business address and contact information of the slot machine licensee.
(2) The name, business address and contact information of any affiliate or other person that will be a party to an agreement with the slot machine licensee related to the operation of interactive gaming or an interactive gaming system on behalf of the slot machine licensee, including a person applying for an interactive gaming license.
(3) The name and business address, job title and a photograph of each principal and key employee of the slot machine licensee who will be involved in the conduct of interactive gaming, whether or not the principal or key employee is currently licensed by the board, if known.
(4) The name and business address, job title and a photograph of each principal and key employee of the interactive gaming operator, if any, who will conduct interactive gaming or an interactive gaming system on behalf of the slot machine licensee, whether or not the principal or key employee is currently licensed by the board, if known.
(4.1) A statement identifying which categories of interactive games the slot machine licensee intends to offer:
(i) peer-to-peer interactive games;
(ii) non-peer-to-peer interactive games which simulate slot machines; or
(iii) non-peer-to-peer interactive games which simulate table games.
(5) An itemized list of the interactive games, including identifying what category each interactive game falls under, and any other game or games the slot machine licensee plans to offer through the slot machine licensee's interactive gaming website for which authorization is being sought. The slot machine licensee shall, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board, file with the board any changes in the number of authorized interactive games offered through interactive gaming.
(6) The estimated number of full-time and part-time employment positions that will be created at the slot machine licensee's licensed facility or at any interactive gaming restricted area if an interactive gaming certificate is issued and an updated hiring plan under section 1510(a) (relating to labor hiring preferences) which outlines the slot machine licensee's plan to promote the representation of diverse groups and Commonwealth residents in the employment positions.
(7) A brief description of the economic benefits expected to be realized by the Commonwealth if an interactive gaming certificate is issued.
(8) The details of any financing obtained or that will be obtained to fund an expansion or modification of the slot machine licensee's licensed facility to accommodate interactive gaming and to otherwise fund the cost of commencing interactive gaming.
(9) Information and documentation concerning financial background and resources, as the board may require, to establish by clear and convincing evidence the financial stability, integrity and responsibility of the slot machine licensee, and information or documentation concerning any person that will operate interactive gaming or an interactive gaming system on behalf of the slot machine licensee as an interactive gaming operator, as the board may require. The interactive gaming agreement with such person shall be subject to the review and approval of the board.
(10) Information and documentation, as the board may require, to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the slot machine licensee has sufficient business ability and experience to conduct a successful interactive gaming operation. In making this determination, the board may consider the results of the slot machine licensee's slot machine and table game operations, including financial information, employment data and capital investment.
(11) Information and documentation, as the board may require, to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the slot machine licensee has or will have the financial ability to pay the interactive gaming authorization fee.
(12) Detailed site plans identifying the proposed interactive gaming restricted area where interactive gaming operations will be managed, administered or controlled as approved by the board.
(13) A detailed description of all of the following:
(i) The slot machine licensee's initial system of internal and accounting controls applicable to interactive gaming.
(ii) The slot machine licensee's proposed standards to protect, with a reasonable degree of certainty, the privacy and security of its registered players.
(iii) How the slot machine licensee will facilitate compliance with all of the requirements set forth in this chapter and in section 802(a) of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-347, 31 U.S.C. § 5362(10)(B)), including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A) Age, identity and location verification requirements.
(B) Appropriate data security standards to prevent unauthorized access by any person whose age, identity or location have not been verified or cannot be verified in accordance with this chapter and applicable regulations of the board.
(C) Except as provided in Subchapter G (relating to miscellaneous provisions), the requirement that all wagers made in the conduct of interactive gaming be initiated and received or otherwise made exclusively within this Commonwealth.
(iv) The slot machine licensee's proposed age, identity and location verification standards designed to block access to persons under 21 years of age and other persons excluded or prohibited from participating in interactive gaming under this chapter.
(v) The procedures the slot machine licensee will use to register individuals as registered players.
(vi) The procedures the slot machine licensee will use to establish interactive gaming accounts for registered players.
(vii) The interactive games and services the slot machine licensee proposes to offer to registered players.
(viii) Documentation and information relating to known proposed contractors of the slot machine licensee and subcontractors of the contractors.
(14) The interactive gaming devices and associated equipment and interactive gaming system or systems that the slot machine licensee plans to or will utilize to manage, administer or control its interactive gaming operations.
(15) Compliance certification of the slot machine licensee's proposed interactive gaming devices and associated equipment, including interactive gaming software and hardware, by a board-approved gaming laboratory to ensure that the gaming software and hardware comply with the requirements of this chapter and regulations of the board.
(16) Detailed description of accounting systems, including, but not limited to, accounting systems for all of the following:
(i) Interactive gaming accounts.
(ii) Per-hand charges, if applicable.
(iii) Transparency and reporting to the board and the department.
(iv) Distribution of revenue to the Commonwealth and winnings to registered players.
(v) Ongoing auditing and internal control compliance reviews.
(17) Detailed information on security systems to protect the interactive gaming skins or interactive gaming website from internal and external breaches and threats.
(18) Any other information the board may require.
(c) Confidentiality.--Information submitted to the board under subsection (b) may be considered confidential by the board if the information would be confidential under section 1206(f) (relating to board minutes and records).
Cross References. Section 13B12 is referred to in sections 1206, 13B11, 13B13, 13B51 of this title.
