TITLE 16.ECONOMIC REGULATION

Part 9. TEXAS LOTTERY COMMISSION

Chapter 401. ADMINISTRATION OF STATE LOTTERY ACT

Subchapter E. RETAILER RULES

16 TAC §401.369

The Texas Lottery Commission proposes new rule 16 TAC §401.369 relating to online self-service terminals. The new rule sets out the requirements imposed on a retailer for placement of a self-service terminal at the retailer's location. Specifically, the rule defines the term self-service terminal, indicates that a retailer must comply with the criteria established by the Executive Director for placement and retention of a self-service terminal, requires the retailer to certify whether the location is greater than 1,000 feet from a pre-school, elementary or secondary school, provides for the use of a remote shut off device for locations within 1,000 feet of a pre-school, elementary or secondary school, requires the retailer to keep the self-service terminal stocked with printer supplies and online roll stock, requires the retailer to undergoing training relating to use and maintenance of the terminal, and requires the retailer to allow service technicians access to the terminal during normal business hours.

Lee Deviney, Financial Administration Director, has determined for each year of the first five years the section is in effect there will be the following fiscal implications, net revenue gain to the state, for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule: FY 2004, $4.3 million; FY 2005, $5.9 million; FY 2006, $5.9 million; FY 2007, $5.9 million; and FY 2008, $5.9 million. There will be no fiscal implications for local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule. There will be a positive fiscal impact on small businesses, micro businesses or local or state employment as a result of implementing the section as follows: FY 2004, $0.6 million; FY 2005, $0.8 million; FY 2006, $0.8 million; FY 2007, $0.8 million; and FY 2008, $0.8 million.

Toni Erickson, Acting Marketing Director, has determined that each of the first five years the section as proposed is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of the proposed amendments is the potential for additional revenue to the State as well as to the retailer. Additionally, another benefit to the retailer is potential lower operating costs since the self-service aspect of the terminal reduces the need for labor time for the retailer.

Written comments on the proposed new rule may be submitted to Kimberly L. Kiplin, General Counsel, Texas Lottery Commission, P.O. Box 16630, Austin, Texas 78761-6630. Comments must be received by the Commission within 30 days after the proposed new rule is published in the Texas Register to be considered.

The new rule is proposed under Government Code, §466.015 which authorizes the Commission to adopt all rules necessary to administer the State Lottery Act and to adopt rules governing the establishment and operation of the lottery, and under Government Code, §467.102 which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for the enforcement and administration of the laws under the Commission's jurisdiction.

§401.369.Online Self-Service Terminals.

(a) No retailer may sell commission online game tickets from an online self-service terminal, except those online self-service terminals supplied and placed by the commission. For purposes of this section an online self-service terminal is defined as a terminal that dispenses online lottery game tickets without the assistance of a retailer's personnel.

(b) Online self-service terminals may be placed by the commission or the commission's designated representative in a retailer’s business location based upon criteria established by the executive director. The criteria may include, but is not limited to, consideration of the location of the retailer, the type of the business to which a license is assigned, the size of the retailer’s location and a minimum sales criteria which shall be provided to the retailers prior to implementation of such criteria.

(c) A retailer must maintain the minimum sales criteria established by the executive director to retain an online self-service terminal. A retailer who does not maintain minimum sales in accordance with such sales criteria may be placed in a sales review period unless good cause exists as determined by the executive director. After the retailer's sales review period has expired, the retailer's sale of online lottery game tickets shall be reviewed. If the retailer has not maintained the minimum sales level in accordance with the minimum lottery ticket sales criteria during such sales review period, the commission or commission's designated representative may remove the online self-service terminal.

(d) The minimum sales criteria established by the executive director shall be provided to retailers at least 30 days prior to implementation of such minimum sales criteria.

(e) Online self-service terminals may only be placed within the retailer's location in a site and manner approved by the commission.

(f) A retailer shall certify whether or not the location is greater than 1,000 feet from any preschool, elementary school, middle school or high school.

(g) A retailer's location within 1,000 feet from any preschool, elementary school, middle school or high school shall be equipped only with an online self-service terminal(s) containing a remote shut off device.

(h) A retailer shall keep the online self-service terminal stocked with printer supplies and online roll stock that is authorized by the commission for use with the online self-service terminal.

(i) A retailer shall maintain the key to the self-service terminal. If the retailer loses the key, the retailer shall pay $100 per terminal for the service call to install new locks and key.

(j) A retailer and certain retailer employees shall undergo required training and comply with requirements identified in the training relating to the use and maintenance of online self-service terminals.

(k) A retailer shall allow service technicians access to the online self-service terminal during normal business hours to service and repair the online self-service terminal.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on December 19, 2003.

TRD-200308702

Kimberly L. Kiplin

General Counsel

Texas Lottery Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 1, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 344-5113


Chapter 402. BINGO REGULATION AND TAX

16 TAC §402.558

The Texas Lottery Commission proposes an amendment to 16 Texas Administrative Code §402.558 relating to bingo card/paper. Specifically, the amendment provides that the manufacturer assigned serial number may be contained on either the face of break-open bingo paper or on the outside of break-open bingo paper, or both. Because the face of break-open bingo is concealed until the paper is purchased and played, allowing the manufacturer assigned serial number to be placed on the outside of break-open bingo paper should provide for more efficient tracking of inventory and improved audit controls. The amendment does not require the placement of the manufacturer assigned serial number on the outside of break-open bingo, nor prohibit the placement of the serial number on the face of the paper, so that current break-open bingo paper in the marketplace will remain consistent with the proposed amended rule.

Lee Deviney, Financial Administration Director, has determined for the first five year period the new rule is in effect, there will be no significant fiscal impact for state or local government as a result of enforcing this rule. Any costs to the State could be absorbed by current resources. For each year of the first five years the section will be in effect, the fiscal impact is the following: FY 04, $0; FY 05, $0; FY 06, $0; FY 07, $0 and FY 08, $0. Additionally, there will be no effect on small businesses, micro businesses or local or state employment as a result of implementing this rule amendment.

William L. Atkins, Director, Charitable Bingo Operations Division, has determined that each of the first five years the section as proposed is in effect, licensees will benefit from the adoption of the section. The anticipated benefit as a result of the proposed new section is to provide authorized organizations utilizing break-open bingo paper an improved ability to track the product and ensure the appropriate product is being used. Additionally, the change will provide authorized organizations and the Commission with an improved ability to audit the product.

Written comments on the proposed amendment may be submitted to Kevin Oldham, Assistant General Counsel, Texas Lottery Commission, P.O. Box 16630, Austin, Texas 78761-6630.

The proposed new rule is proposed under Occupations Code, §2001.054 which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules to enforce and administer the Bingo Enabling Act, under Government Code, §467.102 which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for the enforcement and administration of the laws under the Commission’s jurisdiction, under Occupations Code, §2001.051(b) which grants the Commission broad authority to exercise strict control and close supervision over all bingo conducted in Texas so that bingo is fairly conducted and the proceeds derived from bingo are used for an authorized purpose, and under Occupations Code, §2001.056(a) which that the commission by rule shall provide procedures for the approval of bingo cards.

§402.558.Bingo Card/Paper.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Approval of bingo card/paper.

(1) (No change.)

(2) A letter of introduction including the style of play must be presented to Commission headquarters for review. The manufacturer must submit one complete color positive or sample for each type of bingo card/paper. The color positive or sample may be submitted in an electronic format prescribed by the Commission in lieu of the hardcopy submission. The color positive or sample bingo card/paper must:

(A) (No change.)

(B) contain the serial and series numbers assigned by the manufacturer on the face of each of the bingo card/paper , except in the case of Break-open bingo, which may contain the serial number assigned by the manufacturer on the outside so as not to be concealed .

(3) - (6) (No change.)

(c) - (l) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on December 19, 2003.

TRD-200308703

Kimberly L. Kiplin

General Counsel

Texas Lottery Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 1, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 344-5113