Washington Administrative Code

In this chapter, "operator" means the licensee or unlicensed charitable or nonprofit organization operating the amusement game.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-15-064 (Order 612), § 230-13-001, filed 7/16/07, effective 1/1/08.]

(1) We authorize the approved groups of amusement games set forth in this chapter. Operators must only operate amusement games that meet the standards of at least one of the authorized groups.(2) Commercial businesses or nonprofit or charitable organizations may apply for license…

(1) Operators may introduce new games that meet the standards of an authorized group 1 through 11 amusement game without approval of the director as long as they provide the director or his or her designee with a description of the game, the rules of play, and the group number of…

In Group 1 games, players throw or kick balls to win prizes.(1) In ball toss or kick amusement games:(a) All balls for each game must be uniform in size and weight; and(b) All targets for each game must be the same size and weight or the operator must color code the target and ad…

In Group 2 games, players throw darts into a target area to win prizes. If players achieve the predetermined score or pattern, pierce or break a target, or just stick the dart in the target, the player wins a prize.(1) In dart amusement games:(a) All darts must be uniform in size…

In Group 3 games, players toss one or more hoops or rings over one or more targets which may consist of bottles, pegs, blocks, prizes, or any item capable of having a ring or hoop tossed over it to win prizes. In hoop or ring toss amusement games:(1) The operator must advise the …

In Group 4 games, players toss one or more coins or tokens onto a surface or into a target area to win a prize. In coin or token toss amusement games:(1) The game must have a clear and unobstructed thirty-six inch vertical airspace above the target area or surface; and(2) The tar…

In Group 5 games, players perform task(s) using hand and eye coordination to win a prize.(1) Hand and eye coordination amusement games must include one or more of the following:(a) Striking a moving or fixed object or target including a sequence of moving or fixed objects or targ…

In Group 6 games, players test their strength by performing task(s) for a predetermined number of times or length of time to win a prize. The tasks must do one or more of the following:(1) Test hand, arm, or whole body strength; or(2) Require the player to use a tool to strike an…

In Group 7 games, players maneuver a crane or claw mechanism to attempt to retrieve a prize. All crane amusement games must:(1) Allow at least twenty seconds playing time per operation; and(2) Have a crane or claw capable of reaching, picking up, and dispensing all prizes in the …

In Group 8 games, players insert coins or tokens (coins) into a chute and aim the chute to win a prize. The coins land on a flat surface(s) which has sweeper and/or pusher arm(s) moving across the surface(s). Carefully aimed coins may cause coins on the flat surface(s) to be push…

In Group 9 games, players roll balls to a target area to win a prize. Ball roll amusement games may be either:(1) One player:(a) Attempting to score a predetermined number of points by landing in a target area; or(b) Striking and/or knocking down target(s); or(2) More than one pl…

In Group 10 games, players use a mechanism to fire projectile(s) to hit target(s) to win prizes. In shooting amusement games:(1) The game may require a player to:(a) Destroy or obliterate all or part of the target; or(b) Hit the target or specific portion of it; or(c) Hold an ele…

Group 11 games are:(1) Cake walk amusement games where players walk on a numbered or color-coded circle while music is played. When the music stops, a player wins a prize depending on the number or color of the portion of the circle the player is standing on; and(2) Fish pond amu…

(1) In group 12 games, players must correctly solve a puzzle to win a game, which is viewable by the player before each puzzle is presented.(2) The game must allow the player to preview points to be awarded if the puzzle is correctly solved before each play of the game without th…

(1) Amusement game operators must notify the local law enforcement agency in writing at least ten days before operating amusement games at any location. The chief officer of the local law enforcement agency may reduce this time limit. The notice must include, at least:(a) The nam…

Amusement game licensees must notify us within thirty days of putting into play and removing from play a group 12 amusement game. Reporting must be in the format we require.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 18-05-029, § 230-13-075, filed 2/9/18, effective 7/1/18. Statutory …

(1) Coin or token activated amusement games must have nonresetting coin-in meters, certified as accurate to within plus or minus one coin or token in one thousand plays, which stop play of the machine if the meter is removed or disconnected when operating at:(a) Amusement parks; …

Amusement game operators must:(1) Closely monitor and control all games to ensure they are operated according to all provisions of Title 230 WAC and chapter 9.46 RCW; and(2) Protect players from fraud and game manipulation; and(3) Maintain all games or machines in proper conditio…

(1) Operators must provide adult supervision at all locations where school-aged minors are allowed to play amusement games during all hours of operation.(a) "School aged minors" means anyone at least six, but not yet eighteen years old.(b) An "unattended amusement game" means a g…

Amusement game operators must conduct games in which the outcome depends to a material degree on the skill of the player. We consider a "material degree of skill" to be present when both of these requirements are met:(1) The player's physical or mental abilities play an important…

(1) Attendants of amusement games must, at least:(a) Collect payment from the player(s); and(b) Give equipment or components to the player(s) to participate in the game; and(c) Award merchandise prize(s) to any winners.(2) Attendants must not:(a) Materially assist players; or(b) …

(1) Charitable and nonprofit organizations must closely supervise all persons operating their gambling activities according to all provisions of Title 230 WAC and chapter 9.46 RCW.(2) Only full and regular members of charitable or nonprofit organizations may supervise or manage a…

Amusement game licensees operating under a "limited location" license must assign each game a number and keep a list of all games and their booth numbers available in the operator's on-site office.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-15-064 (Order 612), § 230-13-115, filed …

(1) Amusement game operators must fully inform players of game rules. They must prominently post a sign made of permanent material printed in lettering at least one and one-half inches in height that includes, at least:(a) Fees charged for play; and(b) Rules of play; and(c) Prize…

If there are physical limitations which affect the degree of skill needed to win a prize, the amusement game operator must make these factors readily visible to the player. For example, if a target, basket, or hoop used in the amusement game has a limiting feature, such as shape …

(1) Amusement game operators must prominently display a sample of each type of prize available.(2) Operators must only award prizes that are posted. However, after a player has won two or more prizes, operators may offer that player the opportunity to exchange those prizes for on…

(1) The maximum wager is three dollars and fifty cents and the maximum cost for a prize is five hundred dollars if school-aged minors are allowed to play amusement games at the following locations:(a) Regional shopping centers; and(b) Movie theaters; and(c) Bowling alleys; and(d)…

Amusement game operators must not operate more than one game of a similar type on the same premises using similar objects of a different size or weight unless the difference in each game's objects is readily apparent.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-15-064 (Order 612), …

(1) Amusement game operators must obtain written permission to operate at any location from the person or organization owning the premises or sponsoring the event where the operator will hold the activity.(2) Operators may only conduct commercial amusement games at:(a) Locations …

(1) Operators must apply, pay a fee, and receive a license for each location they will operate approved amusement games. (2) Operators must notify us in the format we require within thirty days of removing all amusement games from an approved location.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.…

(1) Operators must ensure that all contracts are written and specific in terms, setting out the term of the contract, amount of rent or consideration, rent due dates, and all expenses each party must pay.(2) All contracts become part of the operator's license file. If commercial …

Amusement game operators:(1) May base the rent or consideration on a percentage of revenue the activity generates if the method of distribution is specific. This applies to the following locations:(a) All commercial businesses; and(b) Charitable and nonprofit organizations rentin…

Charitable or nonprofit organizations may rent or otherwise obtain amusement game equipment as long as the amount paid is:(1) A reasonable price for the gambling equipment or for use of the gambling equipment; and(2) A lump sum or hourly rate established in the competitive market…

(1) Amusement game licensees must prepare a detailed record for each location where they operate games. They must retain the records for at least three years. The records must include details necessary to determine:(a) Gross gambling receipts received from players from:(i) Group …

(1) Unlicensed charitable or nonprofit organizations must keep records according to WAC 230-07-125 which will allow us to:(a) Determine the amount of gross gambling receipts received from amusement games; and(b) Identify individuals responsible for receiving and controlling them.…

(1) In this chapter, "licensee" and "licensees" mean the business holding the punch board and pull-tab license.(2) "Operator" and "operators" mean licensees and those operating the gambling activity for the licensees, for example, those selling pull-tabs to players or putting out…

A "punch board" means:(1) A board with a number of openings of uniform size in which the manufacturer placed, at random, slips of paper or other substances (punches) imprinted with numbers or symbols; and(2) A flare (face sheet) covers the openings and sets out the winning number…

A "pull-tab" means:(1) A single folded tab that conceals number(s) or symbol(s) from view; or(2) A banded tab that conceals number(s) or symbol(s) from view; or(3) A card with the face covered by perforated window(s) or otherwise hidden to conceal number(s) or symbol(s) from view…

Commission rules that apply to operators of both punch boards and pull-tabs also apply to operators of only one of these activities.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-17-058 (Order 614), § 230-14-015, filed 8/10/07, effective 1/1/08.]

Because the agents, manufacturers, and other licensees have long referred to Washington state identification and inspection stamps as "I.D. stamps," we will use this abbreviated name for the stamps throughout the rules.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-17-058 (Order 614)…

Operators must not display or put out for play any punch board, pull-tab series, or pull-tab dispenser that does not comply with chapter 9.46 RCW and Title 230 WAC.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-17-058 (Order 614), § 230-14-025, filed 8/10/07, effective 1/1/08.]

Manufacturers, distributors, operators, and representatives must not possess, display, sell, or otherwise furnish a pull-tab series when they know, or reasonably should have known, that:(1) The location, or approximate location, of any of the winning pull-tabs can be determined i…

A "pull-tab series" means all the pull-tabs in a group produced by a manufacturer that offer a single set of prizes specified on the manufacturer's accompanying flare.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-17-058 (Order 614), § 230-14-035, filed 8/10/07, effective 1/1/08.]

The maximum number of pull-tabs must be no more than:(1) Twenty-five thousand in a series; or(2) Ten thousand in a carry-over jackpot series; or(3) Fifty thousand in progressive jackpot series.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-21-116 (Order 617), § 230-14-040, filed 10/2…

(1) Authorized pull-tab dispensers must:(a) Be made by a licensed manufacturer; and(b) Conspicuously display a stamp, seal, or label identifying the manufacturer, city, and state where manufactured; and(c) Be stamped with a serial number on the case.(2) Perforated window type pul…

Electronic video pull-tab dispensers must be approved by us prior to use.(1) Electronic video pull-tab dispensers must dispense a paper pull-tab as defined in WAC 230-14-010 and follow the rules for:(a) Pull-tabs; and(b) Flares; and(c) Authorized pull-tab dispensers.(2) Electroni…

(1) Punch board and pull-tab operators must ensure no unauthorized person buys, plays, or sells punch boards or pull-tab series; and(2) Licensees must:(a) Not display or operate any punch board or pull-tab series which may have been marked, defaced, or tampered with in any way th…

(1) No one may add pull-tabs to a series after the manufacturer has shipped that series.(2) Pull-tab operators must:(a) Thoroughly mix all pull-tabs in a series before placing them in a dispenser or clear container and offering them for sale. Operators may assemble pull-tabs into…

A "flare" (also known as a "face sheet" for punch boards) means an advertising poster or card listing all the prizes, costs to play, number of pull-tabs, and required manufacturer information for pull-tab series.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-17-058 (Order 614), § 230…