| ATLANTIC
CITY – The final three chapters of
rule proposals, which cover gaming operation
accounting controls and standards, gaming
equipment, and the rules of the gambling
games played in Atlantic City casinos, were
published today in the New Jersey Register.
Also published, was a notice of temporary
adoption which enacts the rules as of November
14 for a maximum of 270 days.
With
these regulations, the Division completed
its response to the regulatory reforms of
S-12 and to the Governor’s initiatives
to revitalize Atlantic City as a casino
gaming destination resort and to return
it to its position as the premier gaming
market on the East Coast.
“Making
our regulatory process work was one of my
highest priorities when I was appointed
by Governor Christie.” said Acting
Director David Rebuck. “Our focus
was and continues to be on streamlining
regulation while maintaining public confidence
and trust in the integrity of the regulatory
process and casino operations.”
The
rules proposed for adoption benefit the
casino industry by providing the casinos
with a logical, systematic framework for
conducting operations, and by protecting
against unlawful diversion of a casino's
assets. The proposed repeal and new rules
will also benefit the public in assuring
fairness to the player, encouraging participation,
preventing cheating and protecting casinos
and patrons against unfair play. These safeguards
have generated a reputation for honesty
and integrity for the Atlantic City casino
industry.
Some
of the specific changes include making gaming
vouchers deductible upon issuance; streamlining
the procedures for credit, wire transfers
and front money deposits; setting forth
technical standards for slot machines, casino
computer systems, and other gaming devices;
permitting the use of cards which have been
pre-shuffled by the manufacturer; allowing
greater use of temporary storage facilities
for cards and dice on the casino floor;
allowing deposits of electronic credits;
and specifically authorizing tournaments
of skill games so long as an element of
chance is present.
The
Division used the regulatory reform changes
as an opportunity to prepare for new and
different forms of gaming play not available
before to the industry and accounted for
advancements in surveillance and technology.
The resulting regulations continue to ensure
the integrity and fairness of gaming products
while at the same time acknowledging the
varying business needs of a licensee.
“We
will continue to take an aggressive approach
in evaluating ways to adapt the regulations
to meet the needs of the industry and the
ongoing advancements in technology without
in any way compromising confidence in gaming
operations,” said Rebuck.
Anyone
interested in reviewing the new regulations
can go to www.njdge.org
. Public comments will be accepted through
January 6, 2012. The procedures for commenting
are noted on all of the proposals in the
New Jersey Register.
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