4 Pa.C.S. Ch. 37

4 Pa.C.S. Ch. 37
in effect

4 Pa.C.S. § 3701 Testing and certification of terminals.

(a) General rule.--No video gaming terminal or redemption terminal or associated equipment may be made available for use in this Commonwealth prior to being tested and certified by the board in accordance with this section. (b) Video gaming terminal specifications.--Video gaming terminals shall be tested and certified to meet the following specifications: (1) The video gaming terminal shall have the ability to be linked to the central control computer. (2) The video gaming terminal shall be marked with an irremovable identification plate that is placed in a conspicuous location on the exterior of the video gaming terminal. The identification plate shall contain the name of the manufacturer and the serial and model numbers of the video gaming terminal. (3) The video gaming terminal shall prominently display the rules of play either on the video gaming terminal face or screen. (4) The video gaming terminal may not have the ability to dispense cash, tokens or anything of value, except redemption tickets which shall only be exchangeable for cash at a redemption terminal or reinserted into another video gaming terminal located in the same video gaming area as the video gaming terminal. (5) The cost of a credit shall only be 1¢, 5¢, 10¢ or 25¢. (6) The maximum wager per individual game shall not exceed $5. (7) The maximum prize per individual game shall not exceed $1,000. (8) The video gaming terminal shall be designed and manufactured with total accountability to include gross proceeds, net profits, winning percentages and other information the board requires. (9) The video gaming terminal shall pay out a minimum of 85% of the amount wagered. (10) Other specifications the board requires. (c) Redemption terminal specifications.--Redemption terminals shall be tested and certified to meet the following specifications: (1) The redemption terminal shall be marked with an irremovable identification plate that is placed in a conspicuous location on the exterior of the redemption terminal. The identification plate shall contain the name of the manufacturer and the serial and model numbers of the redemption terminal. (2) The redemption terminal shall only accept redemption tickets from video gaming terminals located in the same video gaming area. (3) The redemption terminal shall be designed and manufactured with total accountability to record information the board requires. (4) Other specifications the board requires. (d) Use of other state standards.-- (1) The board may determine, in its discretion, whether the video gaming terminal or redemption terminal testing and certification standards of another jurisdiction within the United States in which a manufacturer licensee is licensed are comprehensive and thorough and provide similar adequate safeguards as those required by this part. (2) If the board makes the determination under paragraph (1), the board may permit a manufacturer licensee to deploy those video gaming terminals or redemption terminals which have met the video gaming terminal or redemption terminal testing and certification standards in such other jurisdictions without undergoing the full testing and certification process by the board's testing facility. (3) In the event video gaming terminals or redemption terminals of a manufacturer licensee are licensed in the other jurisdiction, the board may determine to use an abbreviated process requiring only that information determined by the board to be necessary to consider the issuance of a video gaming terminal or redemption terminal certification to such an applicant. (e) Private testing.--The board may, in its discretion, rely upon the certification of a video gaming terminal or redemption terminal that has met the testing and certification standards of one or more board-approved independent private testing and certification facilities. (f) Testing and certification fee.-- (1) A fee for the testing and certification of a video gaming terminal or redemption terminal shall be paid by the manufacturer licensee submitting the terminal, which fee shall be an amount established by the board according to a schedule adopted by the board. (2) Fees established by the board shall be exempt from any fee limitation contained in section 4101 (relating to fees). (g) Central control computer compatibility.--The board shall ensure that all video gaming terminals certified and approved for use in this Commonwealth are compatible and comply with the central control computer and protocol specifications approved by the department.

4 Pa.C.S. § 3702 Video gaming limitations.

(a) Establishment licensee limitations.--An establishment licensee may offer video gaming terminals for play within its premises, subject to the following: (1) No more than five video gaming terminals may be placed on the premises of the establishment licensee. (2) Redemption tickets shall only be exchanged for cash through a redemption terminal or reinserted into another video gaming terminal in the same video gaming area or as otherwise authorized by the board in the event of a failure or malfunction in a redemption terminal, and at least one redemption terminal shall be located in the video gaming area. (3) Video gaming terminals located on the premises of the establishment licensee shall be placed and operated by a terminal operator licensee pursuant to a terminal placement agreement. (4) No video gaming area may be located in an area that is not properly segregated from minors. (5) The entrance to the video gaming area shall be secure and easily seen and observed by at least one employee of the establishment licensee. (6) The video gaming area shall at all times be monitored by an employee of the establishment licensee, either directly or through live monitoring of video surveillance. The employee must be at least 18 years of age and have completed the mandatory training program required in section 3706 (relating to compulsive and problem gambling). (7) No establishment licensee may provide an incentive. (8) No minor shall be permitted to play a video gaming terminal or enter the video gaming area. (9) No visibly intoxicated person shall be permitted to play a video gaming terminal. (10) No establishment licensee may extend credit or accept a credit card or debit card for play of a video gaming terminal. (11) No establishment licensee may make structural alterations or significant renovations to a video gaming area unless the establishment licensee has notified the terminal operator licensee and obtained prior approval from the board. (12) No establishment licensee may move a video gaming terminal or redemption terminal after installation by a terminal operator licensee. (b) Terminal operator licensee limitations.--A terminal operator licensee may place and operate video gaming terminals on the premises of an establishment licensee, subject to the following: (1) No more than five video gaming terminals may be placed on the premises of the establishment licensee. (2) Redemption tickets shall only be exchanged for cash through a redemption terminal located within the same video gaming area or reinserted into another video gaming terminal located in the same video gaming area as the video gaming terminal. (3) Video gaming terminals located on the premises of the establishment licensee shall be placed and operated pursuant to a terminal placement agreement. (4) No terminal operator licensee may provide an incentive. (5) No terminal operator licensee may extend credit or accept a credit card or debit card for play of a video gaming terminal. (6) No terminal operator licensee may give or offer to give, directly or indirectly, any type of inducement to a truck stop establishment to secure or maintain a terminal placement agreement. (7) No terminal operator licensee may give an establishment licensee a percentage of gross terminal revenue other than 15% of the gross terminal revenue of the video gaming terminals operating in the establishment licensee's premises. (8) A terminal operator licensee shall only operate, install or otherwise make available for public use a video gaming terminal or redemption terminal that has been obtained from a manufacturer licensee or supplier licensee. (9) No terminal operator licensee may make structural alterations or significant renovations to a video gaming area unless the terminal operator licensee has notified the establishment licensee and obtained prior approval from the board. (10) No terminal operator licensee may move a video gaming terminal or redemption terminal after installation unless prior approval is obtained from the board.

4 Pa.C.S. § 3704 Terminal placement agreements.

(a) General rule.--No terminal operator licensee may place and operate video gaming terminals on the premises of an establishment licensee unless pursuant to a terminal placement agreement approved by the board. Approval shall be presented upon connection of one or more video gaming terminals at the establishment licensee to the central control computer. (b) Form of agreement.--The board shall establish through regulation minimum standards for terminal placement agreements. (c) Length of agreement.--Terminal placement agreements shall be valid for a minimum 60-month term but shall not exceed a 120-month term. (d) Provisions required.--A terminal placement agreement shall include a provision that: (1) Renders the agreement invalid if either the terminal operator license or terminal operator application or the establishment license or establishment licensee application is denied, revoked, not renewed, withdrawn or surrendered. (2) Provides the establishment licensee no more or less than 15% of gross terminal revenue from each video gaming terminal located on the premises of the establishment licensee. (3) Identifies who solicited the terminal placement agreement on behalf of a terminal operator licensee or applicant. (e) Parties to agreement.--Only an establishment licensee or applicant may sign or agree to sign a terminal placement agreement with an applicant for a terminal operator license or a terminal operator licensee. (f) Void agreements.--An agreement entered into by a truck stop establishment prior to the effective date of this section with a person or entity for the placement, operation, service or maintenance of video gaming terminals, including an agreement granting a person or entity the right to enter into an agreement or match any offer made after the effective date of this section shall be void and may not be approved by the board. (g) Transferability of agreements.--No terminal placement agreement may be transferred or assigned unless the individual or entity making the assignment is either a terminal operator applicant or terminal operator licensee and the individual or entity receiving the assignment of the terminal placement agreement is either a terminal operator applicant or terminal operator licensee under this chapter.

4 Pa.C.S. § 3705 Duties of licensees.

A person issued a license under this part shall: (1) Provide assistance or information required by the board, the bureau, the department or the Pennsylvania State Police and to cooperate in inquiries, investigations and hearings. (2) Consent to inspections, searches and seizures. (3) Inform the board of actions that the person believes would constitute a violation of this part. (4) Inform the board of arrests for violations of offenses enumerated under 18 Pa.C.S. (relating to crimes and offenses).

4 Pa.C.S. § 3706 Compulsive and problem gambling.

(a) Required posting.-- (1) An establishment licensee shall conspicuously post signs similar to the following statement: If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call (Toll-free telephone number) or Text (Toll-free telephone number). (2) At least one sign shall be posted within the video gaming area and at least one sign shall be posted within five feet of each automated teller machine located within the establishment licensee's premises, if applicable. (b) Toll-free telephone number.--The toll-free telephone number required to be posted in subsection (a) shall be the same number maintained by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs or successor agency under section 3310 (relating to Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs). (c) Problem gambling information.-- (1) An establishment licensee shall have available on its premises access to materials regarding compulsive and problem gambling assistance. (2) The available materials required by paragraph (1) shall be a uniform, Statewide handout developed by the board in consultation with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs or successor agency. (3) The available materials required by paragraph (1) shall be displayed conspicuously at least within the video gaming area. (d) Mandatory training.-- (1) The board's Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling, in consultation with the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs or successor agency, shall develop a mandatory training program for employees and management of an establishment licensee who oversee the establishment licensee's video gaming area. The training program shall address responsible gaming and other compulsive and problem gambling issues related to video gaming terminals. (2) The board shall establish a fee to cover the cost of the mandatory training program. (3) At least one employee of the establishment licensee who holds a valid occupation permit and has successfully completed the training program shall be located on the premises and supervising the video gaming area during all times video gaming terminals are available for play. (e) Penalty.--An establishment licensee that fails to fulfill the requirements of subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) shall be assessed by the board an administrative penalty and may have its establishment license suspended. When determining the penalty and number of suspension days, the board shall consider the length of time in which the materials were not available or a trained employee was not located on the premises as required by subsection (d)(3). Cross References. Section 3706 is referred to in section 3702 of this title.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=04Fetched: 10/16/2026

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