Washington Administrative Code

"Cumulative prize pool pull-tab series" means individually packaged groups of pull-tabs that make up a cumulative prize pool pull-tab game.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 09-17-077 (Order 657), § 230-14-330, filed 8/14/09, effective 1/1/10.]

(1) Operators must conduct cumulative prize pool pull-tab games in the same way as other pull-tab series and must follow these additional requirements:(a) Cumulative prize pool pull-tab game boards must be displayed until the game is permanently pulled from play.(b) Once a seal c…

"Public card room" means that area of the business being commercially stimulated set aside for the playing of card games.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-09-033 (Order 608), § 230-15-001, filed 4/10/07, effective 1/1/08.]

At any time public card game licensees are conducting card games, they must have:(1) The food and/or drink business being commercially stimulated open to the public; and(2) A licensed card room employee on duty and in the public card room area if operating the following card game…

For the purposes of this chapter, "social card games" means those card games authorized by RCW 9.46.0282. "Card games" and "social card games" mean the same thing in this chapter.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-09-033 (Order 608), § 230-15-010, filed 4/10/07, effective…

"Charitable or nonprofit social card room" means the area of a charitable or nonprofit organization's premises set aside for the playing of social card games by full and regular members and their guests."Guests" means persons who are not members of a bona fide charitable or nonpr…

Card game licensees must only operate card games in the specific area of the premises we approve.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-09-033 (Order 608), § 230-15-020, filed 4/10/07, effective 1/1/08.]

(1) Licensees may allow the use of their premises for card playing twenty-four hours a day with written approval from us.(2) After we have received a written request, we will consult with the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the licensee's business and with oth…

(1) The following nonhouse-banked card games are authorized:(a) Poker;(b) Hearts;(c) Pinochle;(d) Cribbage;(e) Rummy;(f) Panguingue (Pan);(g) Pitch; and(h) Bid Whist.(2) Card room licensees must operate these games in the manner explained in the most current version of The New Co…

All new card games and changes to existing card games must be approved by the director or director's designee prior to implementation at a card room licensee. The director or the director's designee authorizes each new card game or changes to existing card games on an individual …

In order for a house-banked card game to be authorized, it must be approved by the director or the director's designee and must:(1) Be played with standard playing cards or with electronic card facsimiles approved by the director or the director's designee.Authorized house-banked…

If the director or the director's designee withdraws authorization of a card game:(1) The director or the director's designee will give licensees written notice and an opportunity to object to the decision. If a licensee files an objection in writing, an administrative law judge …

(1) Card game licensees must have sufficient cash on hand to redeem all chips issued for play. Licensees must exchange chips brought to the cashier's cage by players for cash. However, in the event a player requests a check instead of cash for player gambling winnings over $5,000…

Card room licensees must only allow:(1) Up to nine players at any table in house-banked card games.(a) Only one player can place a wager in a wagering area.(b) This section does not apply to Mini-Baccarat when the game is operated without any modification according to the nonpate…

Card room licensees must:(1) Prominently post:(a) Wagering limits for each type of game, including all fees to play; and(b) Jackpot prize amounts and any prize-related restrictions; and(c) All odds-based and fixed prizes; and(d) Policies on employees being allowed to play; and(e)…

Card room licensees must conduct card games according to the approved rules of play. We enforce rules of play in the following order:(1) First priority: Rules explained in Title 230 WAC; and(2) Second priority: Proprietary and nonproprietary game rules explained on the commission…

(1) The licensee must collect the same fee from all players at a table. If the licensee allows free play, then all players at a table must be allowed to play for free. If card game licensees base their fees on a period of time, they may allow card room employees and owners to pla…

Nonhouse-banked card game licensees must:(1) Not charge, directly or indirectly, fees more than those fees in WAC 230-15-080. Nonprofit or charitable card game licensees may charge their usual membership fee to belong to the organization;(2) Keep all fees collected separate from …

Card game licensees must collect only one type of card game fee at a table at any given time. The following are authorized types of fees, the card game licensees who may use those fee types, and the methods of collection:Authorized types of feesLicensees authorized to use the fee…

(1) Direct collection - Card game licensees using the direct collection method must have a licensed card room employee other than the dealer collect fees directly from each player and deposit the fees in the bank area serving the card games.(2) Drop box - Licensees must locate th…

Drop box means a metal container attached to each gambling table into which the dealer must deposit all chips and cash collected during play and, if required, insert card game inventory control slips. Each drop box must have:(1) A box lock - A lock that secures the contents; and(…

(1) Card game licensees, except for nonhouse-banked card game licensees that do not charge a fee to play, must supply all chips and cards and not allow any other chips or cards to be used on their premises.(2) Card game licensees must not charge additional fees to players for chi…

(1) Chips must be of conventional size and design that maximize the integrity of the card games. Chips must be identifiable as belonging to the licensee and must:(a) Include the house name or logo; and(b) Denote the chip value; and(c) Be made by a licensed manufacturer; and(d) Be…

(1) Licensees must record all gambling chips they destroyed on a chip destruction log in the format we require.(2) If a card room closes, the licensee or former licensee must:(a) Sell or otherwise transfer gambling equipment to a licensed manufacturer or distributor; or(b) Destro…

(1) Card game licensees must:(a) Supply cards of conventional size and design to maximize the integrity of the card games; and(b) Safeguard all cards; and(c) Not allow cards that have been modified or marked in any manner.(2) For Class F, house-banked, and nonhouse-banked card ga…

(1) Card game licensees may use electronic card facsimiles approved by the director or the director's designee in card games.(2) Card room employees must operate the game.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070, 9.46.0282. WSR 13-07-040 (Order 685), § 230-15-116, filed 3/14/13, effect…

(1) Card game licensees may charge a fee to a player asking for a new deck of cards.(2) In addition, nonhouse-banked card game licensees who do not charge a fee to play may charge a fee for every deck supplied to a table.(3) The fee must not be greater than the licensee's actual …

In player-dealt games:(1) After the shuffle, the dealer must offer the cards to a player for a cut. After this initial offer of a cut, the dealer may require any player who asks for a cut to pay a maximum of one dollar; and(2) Dealers must:(a) Not cut the cards more than twice du…

In center dealer-dealt games:(1) After the shuffle, the dealer may offer the cards to a player for a cut. After this initial offer of a cut, the dealer may require any player who asks for a cut to pay a maximum of one dollar; and(2) Dealers must:(a) Not cut the cards more than tw…

If card game licensees offer player-dealt games:(1) The deal must pass from player to player; and(2) A player may not deal another game until all of the players at the table have had their turn to deal. Players may voluntarily waive their right to deal any particular game.[Statut…

Card room licensees must not exceed these wagering limits:(1) Poker -(a) There must be no more than five betting rounds in any one game; and(b) There must be no more than four wagers in any betting round, for example, the initial wager plus three raises; and(c) The maximum amount…

(1) A single wager must not exceed $400.(2) A player may make a single wager for each decision before the dealer deals or reveals additional cards. Wagers must be placed on the table layout on an approved betting spot, except for:(a) In Blackjack games, players may place an addit…

Nonproprietary games.(1) Card room licensees may add additional merchandise or cash prizes to nonproprietary games like Blackjack or Pai Gow. We consider these additional prizes a gambling promotion and they must meet all requirements of WAC 230-06-030.Proprietary games.(2) Card …

Players in card games must make all wagers and pay fees to play card games with chips, except that:(1) Players may use half dollars or quarters in house-banked card games; and in nonhouse-banked card games to pay fees.(2) Players may use dimes and nickels in any game that allows …

Card game licensees must:(1) Sell chips and redeem chips at the same value; and(2) Sell chips for cash at gambling tables. Provided that house-banked card game licensees may allow players to use debit cards to purchase chips at house-banked card game tables in accordance with WAC…

Nonhouse-banked card game licensees may accept checks for the purchase of chips if the checks meet the requirements of WAC 230-06-005. Licensees must:(1) Deposit any check retained after the close of business no later than the second banking day after the close of business. Check…

(1) Card game licensees may use a guarantee service to preapprove checks. The bank may send the original nonsufficient funds (NSF) check to the guarantee service.(2) If card game licensees do not use a guarantee service or choose not to use their guarantee service to preapprove a…

Card game licensees must not allow any person to perform the duties of card room employee until they have met our licensing requirements.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 09-11-088 (Order 649), § 230-15-158, filed 5/18/09, effective 7/1/09.]

(1) "Dealer" means a licensed card room employee who conducts card games, deals cards, collects or pays off players' bets, or collects fees. Card game licensees:(a) May provide a dealer in any card game; and(b) Must have a dealer for all house-banked card games, card games operat…

"Floor supervisor" means a licensed card room employee who oversees a limited number of card games within a designated area and directly supervises the dealers assigned to those games. The floor supervisor reports to the shift manager.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-09…

Card game licensees must have photographs of their licensed card room employees with the employees' licenses, available for inspection on the premises. The photo must be of a passport type not less than 2" x 3" and clearly show a full facial view of the employee.[Statutory Author…

No person may:(1) Allow a representative to sit in on a card game on their behalf for any purpose; or(2) Act as a representative on anyone's behalf; or(3) Allow anyone to assist any player in the game in a manner which gives that player an advantage over other players.[Statutory …

(1) Card game licensees must take necessary steps to prevent cheating and ensure that games are played fairly.(2) If card game licensees find someone cheating, they must:(a) Contact the local law enforcement agency immediately in urgent situations; and(b) Report it to us within t…

(1) House-banked card room licensees must immediately pay out all individual odds-based and fixed-based prizes of $5,000 or less.(2) For individual odds-based and fixed-based prizes over $5,000, licensees must immediately pay out a minimum of $5,000 and pay the remaining balance …

House-banked card room licensees must maintain at least the amount of the single largest fixed-based prize offered in a bank, mutual savings bank, or credit union location in Washington. Alternatively, licensees may maintain the amount of the single largest fixed-based prize in c…

(1) Card game licensees must prepare all records in the format we require. Licensees must record the data in ink, on storage media, or in other permanent form.(2) Licensees must print, or back up in a permanent form, all the data kept in computer databases monthly.[Statutory Auth…

Card game licensees must:(1) Keep the daily records of card room operations for at least three years;(2) Have the past six months of daily card game records on the premises of the card room and available for inspection; and(3) Make records older than six months available within f…

(1) Card game licensees must:(a) Not charge more than one hundred dollars per player for an entry fee; and(b) Collect all entry fees before the start of play.(2) The entry fee must include all the separate fees for various phases and events of the tournament, for food and drink, …

(1) Card game licensees must notify us ten days before any card tournament where the single or multiple buy-in(s) are more than fifty dollars. Card game licensees must submit rules for these tournaments for approval in advance.(2) If a tournament is identical to a previously appr…

Card game licensees must not conduct a tournament for longer than thirty consecutive calendar days.[Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. WSR 07-09-033 (Order 608), § 230-15-220, filed 4/10/07, effective 1/1/08.]