§ 603a.16. Cards; receipt, storage, inspection and removal from use.
(a) When decks of cards are received from a manufacturer or supplier, the cards shall immediately be unloaded under the supervision of at least two people, one of whom shall be an assistant table games shift manager or above and one employee from the security department, and transported to a secure area which is covered by the slot machine licensee’s surveillance system. The boxes of decks of cards shall then be inspected by an assistant table games shift manager or above and one employee from the security department to assure that the seals on each box are intact, unbroken and free from tampering. Boxes that do not satisfy these criteria shall be inspected at this time to assure that the decks of cards contained therein conform to the requirements of this chapter and there is no evidence of tampering. Boxes satisfying these criteria, together with boxes having unbroken, intact and untampered seals shall then be placed for storage in a storage area, the location and physical characteristics of which shall be approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(f) (relating to approval of table game layouts, signage and equipment). A certificate holder may have separate cabinets or storage areas for decks of cards to be used at the game of Poker. The location and physical characteristics of the cabinets or separate storage areas shall be approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(f).
(b) Approved storage areas must have two separate locks. The security department shall maintain one key and the table games department shall maintain the other key. A person employed by the table games department below an assistant table games shift manager in the organizational hierarchy may not have access to the table games department key for the approved storage areas. If the certificate holder has a separate Poker storage area, a person below a Poker shift manager in the organizational hierarchy may not have access to the table games department key to the Poker storage area.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (g), immediately prior to the commencement of each gaming day and at other times as may be necessary, an assistant table games shift manager or above, in the presence of a security department employee, shall remove the appropriate number of decks of cards for that gaming day from the approved storage area. The assistant table games shift manager or above and the security department employee who removed the decks shall distribute sufficient decks to the pit managers or above and, if applicable, to the Poker shift manager. The number of decks distributed must include extra decks that shall be placed in the pit stand for the card reserve. Decks of cards in the pit stand shall be placed in a locked compartment, the keys to which shall be in the possession of the pit managers or above or the Poker shift manager or above.
(d) If the decks are to be inspected at open gaming tables in accordance with subsection (h), the pit manager or above shall distribute the decks to the dealer at each table or the Poker shift manager shall transport the decks to the Poker pit stand for subsequent distribution to the dealer at each Poker table either directly by the Poker shift manager or through the floorperson assigned to supervise the dealer.
(e) If the decks are to be preinspected and preshuffled at a closed gaming table as permitted under subsection (u), the pit manager or above or Poker shift manager shall deliver the decks to the dealer and the floorperson or above at the closed gaming table where the preinspection and preshuffling shall be performed.
(f) If the decks have already been preinspected, preshuffled, sealed in containers and placed in the card storage area as permitted under subsection (u)(8)(ii) or (v), the assistant table games shift manager or above and a security department employee shall transport the number of sealed containers of cards needed for that gaming day to the gaming pits where the cards will be utilized and shall ensure that the containers are locked in the pit stand. A record of the removal of the sealed containers of cards from the approved storage area and the distribution of sealed containers to the gaming pits shall be maintained by the security department in a manner consistent with the certificate holder’s internal controls filed in accordance with § 465a.2 (relating to internal control systems and audit protocols).
(g) If the decks of cards to be used for Poker for that gaming day are removed from the Poker storage area, the Poker shift manager or above and a security department employee shall, prior to the commencement of each gaming day and at other times as may be necessary, remove the appropriate number of decks from the Poker storage area and distribute the decks in accordance with subsection (d), (e) or (f). The number of decks distributed must include extra decks that shall be placed in the pit stand for the card reserve. Decks of cards in the pit stand shall be placed in a locked compartment, the keys to which shall be in the possession of the Poker shift manager or above.
(h) Except for decks of cards that are preinspected and preshuffled in accordance with subsection (u) or (v), the dealer shall sort the cards in each deck according to suit and in sequence to verify that all cards are present and visually inspect the backs of the cards for any defects that might compromise the integrity or fairness of the game. The floorperson or above shall verify the inspection.
(i) If while inspecting the cards in accordance with subsection (h), the dealer finds that a card is unsuitable for use, a card is missing from the deck or an extra card is found, the following procedures shall be observed:
(1) A pit manager or above or a Poker shift manager shall bring a replacement deck of cards from the card reserve in the pit stand.
(2) The unsuitable deck shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container, identified by table number, date and time and signed by the dealer and floorperson assigned to that table or above.
(3) The pit manager or above or a Poker shift manager shall maintain the envelope or container in a secure place within the pit until collection by a security department employee.
(j) Envelopes and containers used to hold or transport cards must be:
(1) Transparent.
(2) Designed or constructed with seals so that any tampering is evident.
(3) Submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 601a.10(a).
(k) If any cards in a deck appear to be damaged during the course of play, the dealer shall immediately notify a floorperson or above. If after inspection, the floorperson or above determines that the card is damaged and needs to be replaced, the floorperson shall notify the pit manager or above or the Poker shift manager.
(1) The pit manager or above or the Poker shift manager shall:
(i) Notify surveillance of a card change.
(ii) Bring a replacement deck of cards from the pit stand to replace the damaged card or cards.
(iii) Place the damaged card face up on the table and remove the matching card from the replacement deck and place it face up on the table.
(iv) Turn over both the damaged card and the replacement card to verify that the backs of the cards match.
(v) Place the replacement card in the discard rack.
(vi) Tear the damaged card down the center and place it face up in the replacement deck.
(vii) Return the replacement deck to the pit stand.
(2) At least once each gaming day, the replacement decks of cards shall be collected and placed in an envelope or container and sealed. A label shall be attached to each envelope or container which identifies the deck as a replacement deck and signed by the pit manager or above or the Poker shift manager.
(3) The pit manager or above or the Poker shift manager shall maintain the sealed envelopes or containers in a secure place within the pit until collection by a security department employee in accordance with subsection (o).
(4) This subsection does not apply to cards showing indications of tampering, flaws or other defects that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game.
(l) Decks of cards that were used for play shall be put into envelopes or containers when removed from active use at the table.
(1) A label shall be attached to each envelope or container which identifies the table number, date and time the decks of cards where collected and signed by the dealer and floorperson assigned to the table.
(2) The Poker shift manager or pit manager or above shall maintain the sealed envelopes or containers in a secure place within the pit until collection by a security department employee.
(m) A certificate holder shall remove any deck of cards at any time during the day if there is any indication of tampering, flaws or other defects that might affect the integrity or fairness of the game, or at the request of a casino compliance representative or other Board employee.
(n) Extra decks or packaged sets of multiple decks in the card reserve with broken seals shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container, with a label attached to each envelope or container that contains the number of decks or packaged sets of multiple decks, as applicable, included therein, the date and time the decks were placed in the envelope or container and the signature of the floorperson or above for decks used for Poker and the pit manager or above for decks used for all other games.
(o) At the end of each gaming day or, in the alternative, at least once each gaming day, as designated by the certificate holder and approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g), and at other times as may be necessary, a security department employee shall collect and sign all envelopes or containers with damaged decks of cards, decks of cards required to be removed that gaming day and all extra decks in the card reserve with broken seals and return the envelopes or containers to the security department.
(p) At the end of each gaming day or, in the alternative, at least once each gaming day, as designated by the certificate holder and approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(g), and at other times as may be necessary, an assistant table games shift manager or above may collect all extra decks with intact seals in the card reserve. If the certificate holder maintains a separate storage area for Poker cards, a Poker shift manager or above may collect all extra decks in the card reserve for the game of Poker. If collected, all sealed decks shall either be cancelled, destroyed or returned to the storage area.
(q) When the envelopes or containers of used cards and reserve cards with broken seals are returned to the security department, the cards shall be inspected for tampering, marks, alterations, missing or additional cards or anything that might indicate unfair play as follows:
(1) For cards used in Blackjack, Spanish 21, Baccarat, Midibaccarat or Minibaccarat, the certificate holder shall inspect either:
(i) All decks used during the day.
(ii) A sample of decks selected at random or in accordance with an approved stratification plan, provided that the procedures for selecting the sample size and for assuring a proper selection of the sample have been submitted to the Bureau of Gaming Operations and approved in accordance with § 465a.2.
(2) The certificate holder shall also inspect:
(i) Any decks of cards that the Board requested the certificate holder to remove for the purpose of inspection.
(ii) Any decks of cards the certificate holder removed for indication of tampering.
(iii) All cards used for all banked table games other than the games listed in paragraph (1).
(iv) All cards used for Poker.
(3) The procedures for inspecting all decks required to be inspected under this subsection must include, at a minimum:
(i) The sorting of cards sequentially by suit or utilizing a machine approved by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations, in accordance with § 461a.4 (relating to submission for testing and approval), capable of reading the cards to determine whether any deck contains missing or additional cards.
(ii) The inspection of the backs with an ultraviolet light.
(iii) The inspection of the sides of the cards for crimps, bends, cuts or shaving.
(iv) The inspection of the front and back of all plastic cards for consistent shading and coloring.
(4) If during the inspection procedures required for cards used in Poker, one or more of the cards in a deck are determined to be unsuitable for continued use, those cards shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container and a two-part Card Discrepancy Report shall be completed in accordance with paragraph (8).
(5) Upon completion of the inspection procedures required in paragraph (2), each deck of cards used in Poker which is determined suitable for continued use shall be placed in sequential order, repackaged and returned to the approved or Poker storage area for subsequent use. The certificate holder shall develop internal control procedures for returning the repackaged cards to the Poker card inventory in accordance with subsection (r).
(6) An individual performing an inspection shall complete a work order form which details the procedures performed and lists the tables from which the cards were removed and the results of the inspection. The individual shall sign the form upon completion of the inspection procedures.
(7) The certificate holder shall submit the training procedures for the employees performing the inspections required under this subsection in its internal controls.
(8) Evidence of tampering, marks, alterations, missing or additional cards or anything that might indicate unfair play discovered during an inspection, or at any other time, shall be immediately reported to the casino compliance representatives by the completion and delivery of a two-part Card Discrepancy Report.
(i) The two-part report must include the cards or decks of cards which are the subject of the report.
(ii) The cards or decks of cards shall be retained by the casino compliance representatives for further inspection.
(iii) The casino compliance representative receiving the cards shall sign the original and duplicate copy of the Card Discrepancy Report and retain the original. The duplicate copy shall be retained by the certificate holder.
(r) Certificate holders shall submit to the Bureau of Gaming Operations for approval, in accordance with § 465a.2, internal control procedures for:
(1) A card inventory system, which includes, at a minimum, the records of the following:
(i) The balance of decks of cards on hand.
(ii) The decks of cards removed from storage.
(iii) The decks of cards returned to storage or received from a manufacturer or supplier.
(iv) The date of each transaction.
(v) The signatures of the individuals involved.
(2) A reconciliation, on a daily basis, of the decks of cards distributed, destroyed or cancelled, returned to the storage area and, if any, the decks of cards in the card reserve.
(3) A physical inventory of all decks of cards at least once every 3 months.
(i) This inventory shall be performed by an individual with no incompatible functions and shall be verified to the balance of decks of cards on hand required in paragraph (1)(i).
(ii) Discrepancies shall immediately be reported to the casino compliance representatives.
(s) Decks of cards in an envelope or container that are inspected as required under subsection (q) and found to be without any indication of tampering, marks, alterations, missing or additional cards or anything that might indicate unfair play, with the exception of plastic cards used at Poker which are of sufficient quality for reuse, shall be destroyed or cancelled within 5 days of collection. Cards submitted to the Board shall be destroyed or cancelled within 5 days of release from the Board.
(1) Destruction of cards must be by shredding.
(2) Cancellation of cards must be by drilling a circular hole of at least 1/4 inch in diameter through the center of each card in the deck.
(3) The destruction or cancellation of cards must take place in a secure location in the licensed facility covered by the slot machine licensee’s surveillance system, the physical characteristics of which shall be approved by the Bureau of Casino Compliance in accordance with § 601a.10(f).
(t) If a deck of plastic cards has been reused 12 or more times and the deck has been determined to be suitable for reuse by the individual performing the inspection procedures required under subsection (q)(3), before the deck may be reused at a Poker table, the deck shall be inspected by a Poker shift manager or floorperson. A satisfactory inspection shall be documented by the Poker shift manager or floorperson. If the Poker shift manager or floorperson determines that the deck may not be reused, the deck shall be placed in a sealed envelope or container, with a label attached which identifies the date and time the deck was placed in the envelope or container and shall be signed by the Poker shift manager or floorperson. At the end of the gaming day or at other times as may be necessary, the envelope or container shall be collected by a security department employee and returned to the security department for destruction or cancellation in accordance with subsection (s).
(u) If a certificate holder elects to preinspect and preshuffle cards at a closed gaming table prior to the delivery of the cards to an open gaming table, the procedures in this subsection shall be performed by a dealer and supervised by a floorperson or above with no concurrent supervisory responsibility for open gaming tables. A schedule of the proposed time and location for the preinspection and preshuffling shall be provided to the casino compliance representatives at least 24 hours prior to commencement of the process. The procedures required under paragraphs (1)—(7) shall be recorded by the surveillance department and each recording shall be retained by the certificate holder for at least 7 days.
(1) Upon receipt of the decks of cards in accordance with subsection (e), the dealer shall perform the procedures in paragraphs (2)—(7) independently for each batch of cards that will be sealed in a container in accordance with paragraph (7), with the number of decks of cards in each batch being equal to the number of decks of cards required for the table game in which the decks are intended to be used.
(2) The dealer shall visually inspect the back of each card to assure that it is not flawed, scratched or marked in any way that might compromise the integrity or fairness of the game.
(3) The dealer shall then, either by hand or by using a machine approved by the Bureau of Gaming Laboratory Operations, in accordance with § 461a.4 inspect the front of each card to insure that all cards are present and that there are no extra cards in the deck.
(4) If after inspection, a card is determined to be unsuitable for use, or the deck is missing a card or an extra card is found, the following procedures shall be observed:
(i) The deck containing the unsuitable, missing or extra card shall be placed in an envelope or container which shall be identified by table number, date and time the deck of cards was placed in the envelope or container and signed by the dealer and floorperson or above performing the preinspection and preshuffle.
(ii) The sealed envelope or container containing the deck containing the unsuitable, missing or extra card shall be maintained by the floorperson or above until collection by a security department employee at the conclusion of the preinspection and preshuffling procedure.
(5) The dealer shall then shuffle the cards by hand or by using an automated card shuffling device.
(6) Upon completion of the preinspection and preshuffling process of the cards in the batch, the dealer and floorperson or above shall complete a two-part Preshuffled/Preinspected Form or other documentation, which includes, at a minimum, the following:
(i) The time and date the Preshuffled/Preinspected Form was prepared.
(ii) The number of decks in the batch.
(iii) The table games at which the batch will be utilized if the batch contains more or less than 52 cards per deck. For example: if the batch contains jokers, the game of Pai Gow Poker must appear on the label; if the batch does not contain 10s, Spanish 21 must appear on the label.
(iv) The signature of the dealer who preinspected and preshuffled the cards, certifying that the cards were preinspected and preshuffled in accordance with this subsection.
(v) The signature of the floorperson or above who witnessed and verified the preinspection and preshuffling.
(vi) The time, date and gaming table to which the sealed container of cards is subsequently delivered.
(vii) The signature of the floorperson or above who delivered the sealed container of cards to the gaming table in accordance with paragraph (9).
(7) The dealer shall then place the preinspected and preshuffled batch of cards, together with the Preshuffled/Preinspected Form or other documentation, in a clear container that conforms to the requirements of subsection (j) and seal the container with a prenumbered label unique to the container. Procedures for the maintenance and security of unused seals, and the distribution, return and reconciliation of seals used on containers holding preinspected and preshuffled cards shall be included in the certificate holder’s internal controls.
(8) The sealed containers of cards shall be transported by either:
(i) A pit manager or above or Poker shift manager to the gaming pit of the gaming tables where the cards will be utilized and locked in the pit stand.
(ii) An assistant table games shift manager or above and a security department employee to the approved storage area or Poker storage area where the cards shall be placed back into the card inventory and segregated from cards that have not been preinspected and preshuffled. A record of the transport of the sealed containers of cards to the approved storage area shall be maintained by the security department in a manner consistent with the certificate holder’s approved internal controls.
(9) When the preinspected and preshuffled cards are needed for play, each container of cards shall be delivered by a floorperson or above to an open gaming table. Upon delivery, the floorperson or above shall unseal the container, place the decks of cards on the gaming table in front of the dealer, complete and sign the Preshuffled/Preinspected Form, drop the original Preshuffled/Preinspected Form in a locked box in the gaming pit and forward the copy of the Preshuffled/Preinspected Form to the security department.
(10) The dealer at the gaming table shall then cut the cards in the manner prescribed by the rules governing the particular table game.
(v) A certificate holder may use preinspected and preshuffled decks or batches of decks obtained from a licensed manufacturer or supplier in the same manner as decks or batches of decks that are preinspected and preshuffled under subsection (u) if the licensed manufacturer or supplier has been approved to provide preinspected and preshuffled decks or batches of decks by the Board’s Executive Director.
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 627a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 627a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 629a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 629a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 631a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 631a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 633a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 633a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 633b.5 (relating to Blackjack played on a hybrid gaming table); 58 Pa. Code § 635a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 635a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 637a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 637a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 639a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 639a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 641a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 641a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 643a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 643a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 645a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 645a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards); 58 Pa. Code § 647a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 649a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 649a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 651a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 651a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 653a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 653a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 655a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 655a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 657a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 657a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 659a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 659a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards); 58 Pa. Code § 663a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 663a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 665a.3 (relating to cards; number of decks; value of cards); 58 Pa. Code § 665a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 665a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 669a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 669a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 670a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 670a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards); 58 Pa. Code § 671a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 671a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 672a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 672a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 673a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 673a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 674a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 674a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 676a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 676a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 677a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 677a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 678a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 678a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 679a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 679a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 680a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 680a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 681a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 681a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 682a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 682a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 683a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 683a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 684a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 684a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 685a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 685a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 686a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 686a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 687a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); 58 Pa. Code § 687a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards); 58 Pa. Code § 688a.4 (relating to opening of the table for gaming); and 58 Pa. Code § 688a.5 (relating to shuffle and cut of the cards; procedures for determining the starting position for dealing cards).
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