1. A. A manufacturer seeking Commission approval for a video lottery terminal shall submit the video lottery terminal to an independent certified testing laboratory.

2. B. The submission required by §A of this regulation shall include the following:

   1. (1) A request for testing and certification under Regulation .02F of this chapter;
   2. (2) A prototype of the video lottery terminal identical in all mechanical, electrical, electronic, and other respects to that for which Commission approval is sought;
   3. (3) Technical and operator manuals;

   4. (4) A description of the video lottery terminal including:

      1. (a) Diagrams, schematics, and specifications; and
      2. (b) Documentation with regard to the manner in which the video lottery terminal was tested and emulated by the manufacturer prior to submission;

   5. (5) A copy, on electronically readable media, of all:

      1. (a) Executable software, including data and graphics information;
      2. (b) Source code for programs that have no commercial use other than as a component of a video lottery terminal; and

      3. (c) Graphical images displayed on a video lottery terminal including, if applicable:

         1. (i) Reel strips or card images;
         2. (ii) Rules and instructions; and
         3. (iii) Pay tables;

   6. (6) A mathematical explanation of the average and theoretical return to the player, listing all:

      1. (a) Assumptions; and
      2. (b) Steps in the formula including the treatment of bonus pays;

   7. (7) A description of:

      1. (a) Security methodologies incorporated into the design of a video lottery terminal including, if applicable:

         1. (i) Encryption methodology for all alterable media;
         2. (ii) Auto-authentication of software; and
         3. (iii) Recovery capability of a video lottery terminal on power interruption;
      2. (b) Tower light functions indicating the corresponding condition;
      3. (c) Error conditions and the corresponding action required; and

      4. (d) Use and function of available:

         1. (i) Dip switch settings; and
         2. (ii) Configurable options;

   8. (8) A description, accompanied by supporting test results, of the random number generator or generators used to determine the results of a wager, including a detailed explanation of:

      1. (a) Operational methodology; and

      2. (b) The manner by which the random number generator including the random number selection process is impervious to:

         1. (i) Outside influences;
         2. (ii) Interference from electro-magnetic, electrostatic, and radio frequencies; and
         3. (iii) Influence from ancillary equipment by means of data communications;
   9. (9) If a video lottery terminal requires or permits player skill in the theoretical derivations of the payout return, the source of strategy;

   10. (10) If required, a cross-reference between the meters denoted on the video lottery terminal and the meters required by:

       1. (a) Regulation .16 of this chapter; and
       2. (b) The technical standards enumerated in any Request for Proposals issued by the Commission pertaining to a video lottery terminal, as amended or clarified;

   11. (11) Program storage media including:

       1. (a) EPROMs;
       2. (b) EEPROMs; and
       3. (c) Any type of alterable media for video lottery terminal software;
   12. (12) Proof that a video lottery terminal has been inspected and approved for customer safety by a reputable testing laboratory;

   13. (13) If applicable, a description of any interoperability testing conducted by the manufacturer, including test results identified by manufacturer, model and software identification and version number, for the submitted video lottery terminal’s connection to any of the following:

       1. (a) Video lottery terminal data system;
       2. (b) Casino management system;
       3. (c) Gaming ticket system;
       4. (d) Promotional play system;
       5. (e) Player tracking system;
       6. (f) Ticket redemption unit;
       7. (g) Automated jackpot payout machine;
       8. (h) External bonusing system;
       9. (i) Cashless funds transfer system; and
       10. (j) Progressive controller;

   14. (14) A description of the manner in which the video lottery terminal was or will be tested for compatibility and compliance with the central monitor and control system communication protocol designated by the Commission including the ability to communicate with the central monitor and control system on a real time basis for:

       1. (a) Meter retrieval; and

       2. (b) Video lottery terminal:

          1. (i) Status; and
          2. (ii) Activation and deactivation;

   15. (15) Specialized hardware, software, or testing equipment, inclusive of technical support and maintenance, requested by an independent certified testing laboratory including, but not limited to:

       1. (a) An emulator for a specified microprocessor;
       2. (b) Personal computers;
       3. (c) Extender cables for CPU boards;
       4. (d) Target reel strips; and
       5. (e) Door defeats; and

   16. (16) If requested by the Commission or an independent certified testing laboratory, additional documentation pertaining to the video lottery terminal being tested including, but not limited to:

       1. (a) Hardware block diagrams of the major subsystems;
       2. (b) A complete set of schematics for all subsystems;
       3. (c) A wiring harness connection diagram; and
       4. (d) Technical specifications for any microprocessor or microcontroller.
3. C. A manufacturer seeking Commission approval for a modification to a Commission-approved version of a video lottery terminal, including a change in theme, shall submit the modification to an independent certified testing laboratory.
4. D. An independent certified testing laboratory selected by a manufacturer or the Commission to test a modification may, but need not be, the testing laboratory that performed the initial prototype testing.

5. E. The submission required by §C of this regulation shall include the following:

   1. (1) A request for testing and certification under Regulation .02F of this chapter;
   2. (2) The video lottery terminal proposed for modification;
   3. (3) A description of the proposed modification to the video lottery terminal, accompanied by applicable diagrams, schematics, and specifications;

   4. (4) If a change in theme is involved, a copy of the graphical images displayed on the video lottery terminal including, if applicable:

      1. (a) Reel strips and card images;
      2. (b) Rules and instructions; and
      3. (c) Pay tables;

   5. (5) If a change in the manner in which the average payout percentage is achieved, or a change in the theoretical return to the player is otherwise involved, a mathematical explanation of the return to the player, listing all:

      1. (a) Assumptions; and
      2. (b) Steps in the formula including the treatment of bonus pays;
   6. (6) If the proposed modification requires or permits player skill in the theoretical derivations of the payout return, the source of strategy;

   7. (7) A description of the manner in which the video lottery terminal was or will be tested for compatibility and compliance with the central monitor and control system communication protocol designated by the Commission including the ability to communicate with the central monitor and control system on a real time basis for:

      1. (a) Meter retrieval; and

      2. (b) Video lottery terminal:

         1. (i) Status; and
         2. (ii) Activation and deactivation; and

   8. (8) If requested by the Commission or an independent certified testing laboratory:

      1. (a) Any specialized hardware, software, or other equipment, inclusive of technical support and maintenance, required to conduct the testing and certification process; and
      2. (b) Additional documentation pertaining to the testing of the proposed modification.

6. F. At the conclusion of testing of a prototype or modification to a video lottery terminal, an independent certified testing laboratory shall issue to the Commission a certification report in an:

   1. (1) Electronic form; and
   2. (2) Format acceptable to the Commission.

7. G. Upon receipt of a certification report from an independent certified testing laboratory, but prior to a decision to approve a prototype or modification to a video lottery terminal, the Commission may require a trial period, as follows:

   1. (1) A trial period shall be of a scope and duration the Commission deems appropriate to assess the operation of the video lottery terminal in a live gaming environment;

   2. (2) A trial period shall be subject to compliance by the manufacturer and the facility operator with specific terms and conditions required by the Commission, which may include:

      1. (a) Development and implementation of product specific accounting and internal controls; and
      2. (b) Periodic data reporting to the Commission;
   3. (3) The Commission may authorize the receipt of compensation by a manufacturer during a trial period; and

   4. (4) The Commission may order termination of the trial period at any time upon a determination by the Commission that:

      1. (a) A manufacturer or facility operator has not complied with the terms and conditions required by the Commission; or
      2. (b) The video lottery terminal is not performing as expected.

8. H. Upon receipt of a certification report from an independent certified testing laboratory, the Commission may:

   1. (1) Approve the prototype or modification, with or without specific conditions;
   2. (2) Reject the prototype or modification;
   3. (3) Require additional testing; or
   4. (4) Require a trial period under §G of this regulation.
9. I. Commission approval of a prototype or modification of a video lottery terminal does not constitute a guarantee of its safety or reliability.

Authority: State Government Article, §§9-1A-02, 9-1A-04, 9-1A-15, 9-1A-22, and 9-1A-24, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.32 adopted as an emergency provision effective March 1, 2013 (40:6 Md. R. 470); adopted permanently effective April 29, 2013 (40:8 Md. R. 725)

Regulation .01A amended effective October 27, 2014 (41:21 Md. R. 1262)

Regulation .11 amended effective November 14, 2022 (49:23 Md. R. 997)

Regulation .11D amended as an emergency provision effective December 12, 2023 (50:26 Md. R. 1130); amended permanently effective May 27, 2024 Md. R. 529)

Regulation .11E, I amended effective January 7, 2016 (42:26 Md. R. 1597)

Regulation .12C adopted effective October 7, 2019 (46:20 Md. R. 848)

Regulation .18 amended effective October 19, 2020 (47:21 Md. R. 905)

Regulation .18D, E amended effective October 22, 2018 (45:21 Md. R. 976)

Regulation .20A amended effective October 23, 2017 (44:21 Md. R. 985)

Regulation .20B amended effective February 16, 2015 (42:3 Md. R. 319)

Regulation .21 amended effective October 7, 2019 (46:20 Md. R. 848)

Regulation .21E amended effective October 22, 2018 (45:21 Md. R. 976)

Regulation .27B, D amended effective September 6, 2021 (48:18 Md. R. 695)

Regulation .28F amended effective September 26, 2016 (43:19 Md. R. 1073); October 19, 2020 (47:21 Md. R. 905)

Regulation .30D amended effective October 22, 2018 (45:21 Md. R. 976); September 6, 2021 (48:18 Md. R. 695)

Regulation .30D, E amended effective January 7, 2016 (42:26 Md. R. 1597)

Regulation .31C amended effective October 23, 2017 (44:21 Md. R. 985); October 22, 2018 (45:21 Md. R. 976); October 7, 2019 (46:20 Md. R. 848)