Virginia Law

A. Compliance with federal law. A person who transports a slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment shall comply with applicable provisions of 15 USC §§ 1171-1178, commonly known as the Johnson Act.

B. Transportation.

1. Unless otherwise directed by the director, a person shall submit written notice to the department prior to transporting a slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment.

2. A person proposing to transport a slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment shall submit to the director a written notice containing:

a. Name and address of person initiating transportation;

b. Reason for transportation;

c. Method of transportation;

d. Name of and address of carrier;

e. Anticipated beginning and end dates of transportation;

f. Name and address of destination;

g. Name and address of manufacturer;

h. Manufacturer's serial number;

i. Model number;

j. Description; and

k. Any other information requested by the department.

3. The person proposing to transport or transporting a slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment shall promptly provide the department with written notice of any changes to the information already submitted as required under subdivision 2 of this subsection.

4. A person transporting a slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment shall plainly and clearly label the package so that the name and address of the shipper and recipient and the contents of the package may be readily ascertained during an inspection of the machine outside of the package.

5. After delivery of a slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment, the facility to which the terminal is delivered shall promptly provide the department with written notice that includes:

a. Date the slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment was received;

b. Date the slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment will be placed into operation; and

c. Any other information requested by the department.

C. Storage.

1. If a slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment will not be placed into operation upon delivery to a casino gaming facility, the facility shall provide the department with written notice that includes:

a. Identification of the slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment;

b. Reason for storage;

c. Storage facility location; and

d. Any other information requested by the department.

2. A facility operator shall store a slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment only in a manner that the department has approved.

D. Registration.

1. The department shall maintain a register of each slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, and specified table game equipment placed in operation in the Commonwealth.

2. The table game equipment for which the board shall maintain a register under subdivision 1 of this subsection is:

a. Table games that contain an approved table layout;

b. Automated table game shuffling devices;

c. Table game progressive controllers; and

d. Any other table game equipment specified by the department.

3. For each slot machine placed into operation, the department shall incorporate the slot machine into the department's central monitor and control system.

4. For each slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table gaming equipment specified in subdivision 2 of this subsection that is placed into operation, the department shall:

a. Assign a registration control number; and

b. Affix a department registration tag.

E. Out of state movement. A slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or gaming equipment may not be transported out of the Commonwealth unless the director:

1. Approves the action; and

2. If the slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table gaming equipment is being permanently removed from Virginia, removes the registration tag.

F. Testing.

1. The department may test slot machines and associated equipment for:

a. Accuracy;

b. Compatibility with the central monitor and control system; and

c. Any other function that the director determines may be necessary to validate the proper functionality and performance of the slot machines and equipment.

2. The director may test mechanical casino gaming machines, table game rules, and table game equipment for:

a. Accuracy; and

b. Any other function the department determines is necessary to validate the proper functionality and performance of the mechanical casino gaming machine or table game equipment.

G. Request for authorization.

1. A facility operator shall obtain prior written authorization from the department before taking any of the following actions with respect to a slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment in its facility:

a. Placing the slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game into operation;

b. Relocating the slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game within the facility;

c. Converting a game theme or table layout;

d. Converting a play denomination on a slot machine or mechanical casino gaming device;

e. Changing percentage payout;

f. Changing an erasable programmable read only memory chip;

g. Changing a jackpot lockup amount;

h. Changing a configuration;

i. Performing a substantial replacement of parts;

j. Implementing any variation, composite, or new feature of a table game; or

k. Performing any other action that materially alters or interrupts the operation of a slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game.

2. Before the director authorizes an action described in subdivision 1 of this subsection, a facility shall submit to the department written notice of the request that includes:

a. Description of proposed action;

b. Location of action;

c. Start and end dates and times;

d. Estimated "go live" date for the slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game;

e. Approval of the manufacturer of the affected slot machine, mechanical casino gaming machine, or table game equipment;

f. Approval of the operator of the central monitor and control system; and

g. Any other information requested by the department.

3. A facility operator shall promptly provide the director with written notice of any changes to the information already submitted under subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection.

4. Response to request for authorization.

a. The director may impose additional requirements on the facility operator or the manufacturer before authorizing the action.

b. The director may deny approval of the action.

c. A facility operator shall notify the director if the action is not completed as approved.