TITLE 11. GAMING

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES, CHARITABLE GAMING

Reproposed Regulation

Titles of Regulations: 11VAC20-20. Charitable Gaming Regulations (amending 11VAC20-20-10, 11VAC20-20-30, 11VAC20-20-50, 11VAC20-20-80, 11VAC20-20-90, 11VAC20-20-120, 11VAC20-20-600, 11VAC20-20-610).

11VAC20-30. Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament Regulations (adding 11VAC20-30-10 through 11VAC20-30-210).

Statutory Authority: § 18.2-340.19 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: No public hearing is currently scheduled.

Public Comment Deadline: February 14, 2024.

Agency Contact: Michael Menefee, Program Manager, Charitable and Regulatory Programs, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-3983, or email michael.menefee@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Background: Section 18.2-340.19 of the Code of Virginia requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to adopt regulations that prescribe the conditions under which a qualified organization may manage, operate, contract with operators of, or conduct Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. Chapters 554 and 609 of the 2022 Acts of Assembly require the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services to prescribe regulations that are consistent with the provisions of Chapter 982 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly. The proposed regulations prescribe the conditions under which Texas Hold'em poker tournaments shall be conducted in the Commonwealth. To effectively regulate Texas Hold'em poker tournaments, VDACS has determined that it will (i) promulgate Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament Regulations (11VAC20-30) and (ii) amend the Charitable Gaming Regulations (11VAC20-20) to include poker-specific provisions where appropriate. In the previous proposed stage of this regulatory action, VDACS was unable to include proposed amendments to 11VAC20-20 as that chapter was not yet effective. The Charitable Gaming Regulations (11VAC20-20) became effective March 29, 2023, so the agency has included the poker-specific amendments to 11VAC20-20 in the revised proposed stage for this regulatory action. During this reproposed stage, the agency is publishing the proposed poker-specific amendments to 11VAC20-20 and the proposed text of 11VAC20-30 with amendments the agency determined are appropriate in response to the comments received during the initial proposed stage public comment period. This will afford the regulated community and interested stakeholders the opportunity to review and comment on all of the Texas Hold'em poker tournament regulatory provisions before the provisions become effective.

Summary:

Pursuant to Chapters 554 and 609 of the 2022 Acts of Assembly and in conformance with Chapter 982 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly, the proposed regulatory action establishes the requirements for charitable organizations wishing to conduct Texas Hold'em poker tournaments to generate charitable funds. The proposed action prescribes the conditions under which a qualified organization may manage, operate, conduct, or contract with a separate operator to conduct Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. The proposed regulation (i) provides that a charitable organization wishing to conduct Texas Hold'em poker tournaments must obtain a permit from the department; (ii) establishes required documents that must be provided to the department, prohibited acts, procedures for recordkeeping and bank account maintenance, and contract and lease requirements; (iii) requires that any person administering a Texas Hold'em poker tournament for a charitable organization must register with the department as an operator; (iv) requires the registration of a landlord who rents, leases, or otherwise provides a premises to a charitable organization to hold a Texas Hold'em poker tournament; (v) establishes requirements for Texas Hold'em poker tournaments, including a fixed entry fee, use of poker cards and poker chips, posting house rules, and prohibited acts; and (vi) outlines training requirements for all persons working or volunteering at a poker tournament, including a prohibition of staff of the charitable organization or the operator from participating as a player in the poker tournament.

Proposed changes to 11VAC20-30 in the reproposed regulation (i) allow concurrent tournaments with several restrictions, including the number of concurrent tournaments that may be played at any given time; (ii) allow a dealer of an operator to play in a poker tournament only if the dealer does not deal in that tournament or within 48 hours of the dealer's shift; (iii) remove the requirement for a dealer's last name to appear on the dealer's badge; (iv) allow add-ons and defines the term; (v) allow an organization to conduct poker tournaments outside of the county, city, or town or adjacent county, city, or town where the organization is located; and (vi) allow the use of computer software to manage poker tournaments.

Proposed amendments to 11VAC20-20, included in the reproposed regulation (i) add new definitions consistent with 11VAC20-30 to allow for the conduct of Texas Hold'em poker tournaments by qualified organizations; (ii) establish the criteria for receiving a permit to conduct Texas Hold'em poker tournaments, including documentation that must be provided with the permit application; (iii) establish prohibited acts that if the organization is found to have committed, would result in the denial, revocation, or suspension of the organization's permit; and (iv) add recordkeeping requirements for organizations that conduct poker tournaments.

[ 11VAC20-20-10. Definitions.

In addition to the definitions contained in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia, the following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administer" means the conduct of activities by an operator that are associated with production of a poker tournament.

"Add-on" means a player's purchase of additional poker chips during a tournament at preannounced times before that player runs out of poker chips.

"Agent" means any person authorized by a supplier, network bingo provider, or manufacturer to act for or in place of such supplier, network bingo provider, or manufacturer.

"Board of directors" means the board of directors, managing committee, or other supervisory body of a qualified organization.

"Calendar day" means the period of 24 consecutive hours commencing at 12:00:01 a.m. and concluding at midnight.

"Calendar week" means the period of seven consecutive calendar days commencing at 12:00:01 a.m. on Sunday and ending at midnight the following Saturday.

"Cash" means United States currency or coinage.

"Charitable Gaming Law" means Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Charitable host representative" means a person who (i) is a bona fide member, as defined in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia, of the qualified organization; (ii) meets all other requirements for bona fide members set forth in the Charitable Gaming Law; (iii) does not receive remuneration pursuant to § 18.2-340.33 of the Code of Virginia; and (iv) is responsible for the oversight and execution of the written contract between the qualified organization and operator during the poker tournament.

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

"Concealed face bingo card" means a nonreusable bingo card constructed to conceal the card face.

"Conduct" means the actions associated with the provision of a gaming operation during and immediately before or after the permitted activity, which may include (i) selling bingo cards or packs, electronic bingo devices, instant bingo or pull-tab cards, electronic pull-tab devices, electronic pull-tabs, network bingo cards, or raffle tickets; (ii) calling bingo games; (iii) distributing prizes; (iv) dealing playing cards; (v) distributing poker chips; and (iv) (vi) any other services provided by game workers, charitable host representatives, or volunteer dealers.

"Control program" means software involved in any critical game function.

"Daubing" means covering a square containing a number called with indelible ink or otherwise marking a number called on a card or an electronic facsimile of a card.

"Deal" means each separate package or series of packages consisting of one game of instant bingo, pull-tabs, or seal cards with the same serial number.

"Decision bingo" means a bingo game where the cost to a player to play is dependent on the number of bingo numbers called, and the prize payout is in direct relationship to the number of participants and the number of bingo numbers called but shall not exceed statutory prize limits for a regular bingo game.

"Department" means the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

"Designator" means an object used in the bingo number selection process, such as a ping-pong ball, upon which bingo letters and numbers are imprinted.

"Device number" means the unique serial number assigned to each electronic gaming device by the department and displayed on the device tag affixed by the department.

"Device tag" means the mark that contains a unique serial number assigned to each electronic gaming device that is affixed by the department to each electronic gaming device indicating that the department has authorized and approved the use of such device.

"Discount" means any reduction in cost of admission or game packs or any other purchases through use of coupons, free packs, or other similar methods.

"Disinterested player" means a player who is unbiased.

"Disposable bingo paper" or "disposable paper" means a nonreusable, paper bingo card manufactured with preprinted numbers.

"Distributed pull-tab system" means a computer system consisting of a computer and associated equipment for the use of distributing a finite number of electronic pull-tabs, a certain number of which entitle a player to prize awards at various levels.

"Door prize" means any prize awarded by the random drawing or random selection of a name or number based solely on attendance at a charitable gaming activity.

"Electronic bingo device" means an electronic unit that uses proprietary software or hardware, or operates in conjunction with commonly available software and computers to display facsimiles of bingo cards and allows a player to daub such cards or allows for the automatic daubing of such cards.

"Electronic gaming" or "electronic games" means any instant bingo, pull-tabs, or seal card gaming that is conducted primarily by use of an electronic device. "Electronic gaming" does not include (i) the game of chance identified in clause (ii) of the definition of "bingo" in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia or (ii) network bingo.

"Electronic gaming device" means an electronic unit used to facilitate the play of an electronic pull-tab. An electronic pull-tab device may take the form of an upright cabinet or a handheld device or may be of any other composition as approved by the department.

"Electronic gaming adjusted gross receipts" means the gross receipts derived from electronic gaming less the total amount in prize money paid out to players.

"Electronic gaming manufacturer" means a manufacturer of electronic devices used to conduct electronic gaming.

"Electronic pull-tabs" means a form of electronic gaming using an electronic version of a single instant bingo card or pull-tab. An electronic pull-tab is a predetermined game outcome in electronic form, distributed on-demand from a finite number of game outcomes by a distributed pull-tab system.

"Equipment and video systems" means equipment that facilitates the conduct of charitable gaming, such as ball blowers, flashboards, electronic verifiers, and replacement parts for such equipment. Equipment and video systems shall not include dispensing devices, electronic bingo devices, and electronic pull-tab devices.

"Event game" means a bingo game (i) that is played using instant bingo cards or pull-tabs in which the winners include both instant winners and winners who are determined by the random draw of a bingo ball, the random call of a bingo number, or the use of a seal card, and (ii) that is sold in its entirety and played to completion during a single bingo session.

"Fiscal year" or "annual reporting period" means the 12-month period beginning January 1 and ending December 31 of any given year.

"Flare" means a printed or electronic display that bears information relating to the name of the manufacturer or logo, name of the game, card count, cost per play, serial number, number of prizes to be awarded, and specific prize amounts in a deal of instant bingo, pull-tab, seal cards, or electronic pull-tabs.

"Free space number," "perm number," "center number," "card number," or "face number" means the number generally printed in the center space of a bingo card that identifies the unique pattern of numbers printed on that card.

"Game manager" means a person who (i) is a bona fide member, as defined in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia, of the qualified organization that is managing, operating, and conducting a poker tournament; (ii) meets all other requirements for bona fide members set forth in the Charitable Gaming Law and this chapter; and (iii) is responsible for the operation of the qualified organization's poker tournament and does not receive remuneration for it pursuant to § 18.2-340.33 of the Code of Virginia.

"Game program" means a written list of all games to be played including the sales price of all bingo paper, network bingo cards, and electronic bingo devices, pack configuration, prize amounts to be paid during a session for each game, and an indication whether prize amounts are fixed based on attendance.

"Game set" means the entire pool of electronic pull-tabs that contains predefined and randomized game results assigned under a unique serial number. This term is equivalent to "deal" or "deck."

"Game subset" means a division of a game set into equal sizes.

"Immediate family" means one's spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandchild, grandparent, mother or father-in-law, or stepchild.

"Interested persons" means (i) the president, an officer, or a game manager of any qualified organization that is exempt or is a permit applicant or holds a permit to conduct charitable gaming, or (ii) the owner, director, officer, or partner of an entity engaged in supplying charitable gaming supplies to organizations, engaged in providing network bingo supplies to organizations, or engaged in manufacturing any component of an electronic game that is distributed in the Commonwealth.

"IRS" means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

"Management" means the provision of oversight of a gaming operation, which may include the responsibilities of applying for and maintaining a permit or authorization; compiling, submitting, and maintaining required records and financial reports; and ensuring that all aspects of the operation are in compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations.

"Manufacturer" means a person who or entity that assembles from raw materials or subparts a completed piece of bingo equipment or supplies, a distributed pull-tab system, or other charitable gaming or electronic gaming equipment or supplies. "Manufacturer" also means a person who or entity that modifies, converts, adds, or removes parts to or from bingo equipment or supplies, a distributed pull-tab system, or other charitable gaming or electronic gaming equipment or supplies to further their promotion or sale for the conduct of charitable gaming.

"Operation" means the activities associated with production of a charitable gaming or electronic gaming activity, which may include (i) the direct on-site supervision of the conduct of charitable gaming and electronic gaming; (ii) coordination of game workers; and (iii) all responsibilities of charitable gaming and electronic gaming designated by the organization's management.

"Operator" means a person who has registered with the department in accordance with 11VAC20-30-50 to administer poker tournaments.

"Organization number" means a unique identification number issued by the department.

"Owner" means any individual with financial interest of 10% or more in a supplier, network bingo provider, or a manufacturer of a distributed pull-tab system or other electronic gaming device or system distributed in the Commonwealth.

"Pack" means sheets of bingo paper or electronic facsimiles assembled in the order of games to be played. This shall not include any raffle.

"Poker game" means a Texas Hold'em poker game as defined in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia.

"Poker tournament" means a Texas Hold'em poker tournament as defined in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia.

"Prize" means cash, merchandise, certificate, or other item of value awarded to a winning player.

"Progressive bingo" means a bingo game in which the prize is carried forward to the next game if a predetermined pattern is not completed within a specified number of bingo numbers called.

"Progressive seal card" means a seal card game in which a prize is carried forward to the next deal if not won when a deal is completed.

"Remuneration" means payment in cash or the provision of anything of value for goods provided or services rendered.

"Seal card" means a board or placard used in conjunction with a deal of the same serial number that contains one or more concealed areas that when removed or opened, reveal a predesignated winning number, letter, or symbol located on that board or placard.

"Selection device" means a manually or mechanically operated device used to randomly select bingo numbers.

"Serial number" means a unique number assigned by the manufacturer to each set of bingo cards or network bingo cards; each instant bingo, pull-tab, or seal card in a deal; each electronic bingo device; each door prize ticket; each game set and game subset of electronic pull-tabs; and each electronic gaming device.

"Series number" means the number of unique card faces contained in a set of disposable bingo paper cards, network bingo cards, or bingo hard cards. A 9000 series, for example, has 9,000 unique faces.

"Session" means a period of time during which one or more bingo games are conducted or during which instant bingo, pull-tabs, seal cards, or electronic gaming may be sold and redeemed. A session begins with the sale of instant bingo, pull-tabs, seal cards, electronic gaming, electronic bingo devices, network bingo cards, or bingo cards or packs.

"Social organization" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia.

"Social quarters" means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia.

"Treasure chest" means a raffle including a locked treasure chest containing a prize that a participant, selected through some other authorized charitable game, is afforded the chance to select from a series of keys a predetermined key that will open the locked treasure chest to win a prize.

"Use of proceeds" means the use of funds derived by an organization from its charitable gaming activities, which are disbursed for those lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purposes.

"Voucher" means a printed ticket tendered to the player, upon request, for any unused game plays or winnings that remain on the electronic pull-tab device.

"WINGO" means a variation of a traditional bingo game that uses visual devices rather than a verbal caller and is intended for play by hearing impaired persons.

11VAC20-20-30. Charitable gaming permit application process for raffles, bingo, paper pull-tabs, network bingo, paper instant bingo, and paper seal cards, and poker tournaments.

A. Any organization (i) anticipating gross gaming receipts from raffles that exceed the amount set forth in § 18.2-340.23 of the Code of Virginia or (ii) intending to operate and conduct bingo, electronic gaming, instant bingo, seal cards, pull-tabs, a poker tournament, or network bingo shall complete a department-prescribed application to request issuance or renewal of an annual permit to conduct charitable gaming. Organizations shall submit a nonrefundable fee payable to the Treasurer of Virginia in the amount of $200 with the application, unless the organization is exempt from such fee pursuant to § 18.2-340.23 of the Code of Virginia.

B. The department may initiate action against any organization exempt from permit requirements when it reasonably believes the organization is not in compliance with the provisions of Charitable Gaming Law or regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

C. Permits shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance or for a period specified on the permit. The department may issue permits for periods of less than one year.

D. Permits shall be granted only after a background investigation of an organization, interested persons, or both to ensure public safety and welfare as required by § 18.2-340.25 of the Code of Virginia. Investigations shall consider the nature, the age and severity, and the potential harm to public safety and welfare of any criminal offenses. The investigation may include the following:

1. A search of criminal history records for the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the organization, game manager, or charitable host representative. Information and authorization to conduct these records checks shall be provided in the permit application. In addition, the department shall require that the organization provides assurances that all other members involved in the management, operation, or conduct of charitable gaming meet the requirements of subdivision 12 of § 18.2-340.33 of the Code of Virginia. Applications may be denied if:

a. Any person participating in the management of any charitable gaming has ever been:

(1) Convicted of a felony; or

(2) Convicted of any misdemeanor involving fraud, theft, or financial crimes within the preceding five years.

b. Any person participating in the conduct of charitable gaming has been:

(1) Convicted of any felony in the preceding 10 years; or

(2) Convicted of any misdemeanor involving fraud, theft, or financial crimes within the preceding five years;

2. An inquiry as to whether the organization has been granted tax-exempt status pursuant to § 501(c) by the Internal Revenue Service and is in compliance with IRS annual filing requirements;

3. An inquiry as to whether the organization has entered into any contract with, or has otherwise employed for compensation, any persons for the purpose of organizing or managing, operating, or conducting any charitable gaming activity, excluding a written contract with an operator to administer a qualified organization's poker tournament;

4. Inquiries into the finances and activities of the organization and the sources and uses of funds;

5. Inquiries into the level of community or financial support to the organization and the level of community involvement in the membership and management of the organization; and

6. An inquiry as to whether the organization operates in accordance with the provisions of or is in violation of any provision of the Charitable Gaming Law or regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

E. The permit application for an organization that has not previously held a permit shall include:

1. A copy of the articles of incorporation, bylaws, charter, constitution, or other appropriate organizing document;

2. A copy of the determination letter issued by the IRS under § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, if appropriate, or a letter from the national office of an organization indicating the applicant organization is in good standing and is currently covered by a group exemption ruling. A letter of good standing is not required if the applicable national or state office has furnished the department with a listing of member organizations in good standing in the Commonwealth as of January 1 of each year and has agreed to promptly provide the department any changes to the listing as they occur;

3. A copy of the written lease or proposed written lease agreement and all other agreements between the organization and the landlord if the organization rents or intends to rent a facility where bingo, a poker tournament, or electronic gaming is or will be conducted. Information on the lease shall include name, address, and telephone number of the landlord; maximum occupancy of the building; and the rental amount per session; and if the landlord that leases a facility where a poker tournament will be conducted is an entity, the name of each of the entity's owners, members, manager, officers, and directors;

4. An authorization by an officer or other appropriate official of the organization to permit the department to determine whether the organization has been investigated or examined by the IRS in connection with charitable gaming activities during the previous three years. F.; and

5. Any contracts or any other agreements with landlords, suppliers, network bingo providers, social organizations, operators, or manufacturers to which the organization is or may be a party.

F. If the organization wishes to conduct a poker tournament, the organization must provide the following information and documentation with its permit application in addition to the documents listed in subsection E of this section:

1. House rules that govern how the poker tournament will be played. All house rules shall be preapproved by the department and shall be consistent with the Charitable Gaming Law, this chapter, 11VAC20-30, and the official rules for poker tournaments established by the Poker Tournament Directors Association;

2. If the organization uses or intends to use an operator to administer its poker tournament, the identity of the organization's charitable host representative and a copy of a current photo identification of the charitable host representative, such as a driver's license or other government-issued identification;

3. If the organization uses or intends to use an operator to administer its poker tournament, a copy of the operator's internal control policies that comply with criteria established in 11VAC20-30-60 O;

4. If the organization intends to manage, operate, and conduct or manages, operates, and conducts its own poker tournament, the designation and identity of the organization's game manager who shall be responsible for the operation and conduct of the poker tournament for the qualified organization and a copy of a current photo identification of the game manager, such as a driver's license or other government-issued identification; and

5. A sample of the badge that meets the criteria established in 11VAC20-30-60 Q.

G. Copies of minutes of meetings of the organization may be requested by the department prior to rendering a permitting decision.

H. Organizations applying to renew a permit previously issued by the department shall submit articles of incorporation, bylaws, charter, constitution, or other organizing document; IRS determination letter; any new contract or agreement with a landlord, supplier, network bingo provider, social organization, operator, or manufacturer to which the organization is or may be a party; and a copy of any lease with any landlord or social organization if there are any amendments or changes to these documents.

I. Organizations may request permits to conduct joint bingo games as provided in § 18.2-340.29 of the Code of Virginia.

1. In the case of a joint bingo game, each organization shall file a permit application.

2. The nonrefundable permit fee for joint bingo games shall be a total of $200. However, no permit application fee is due if each of the organizations is exempt from the application fee pursuant to § 18.2-340.23 of the Code of Virginia.

3. A single permit may be issued in the names of all the organizations conducting a joint bingo game. All restrictions and prohibitions applying to single organizations shall apply to qualified organizations jointly conducting bingo games pursuant to § 18.2-340.29 of the Code of Virginia.

4. No joint bingo game shall be conducted prior to the issuance of a joint permit.

5. Applications for joint bingo games shall include an explanation of the division of manpower, costs, and proceeds for the joint bingo game.

J. An organization wishing to change dates, times, or locations of its charitable gaming shall request an amendment to its permit. Amendment requests shall be made in writing on a form prescribed by the department in advance of the proposed effective date.

K. An organization may cancel its charitable gaming due to inclement weather, disasters, or other circumstances outside the organization's control without an amendment to its permit.

L. An organization may sell raffle tickets for a drawing to be held outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States provided:

1. The raffle is conducted by the organization in conjunction with a meeting outside the Commonwealth of Virginia or with another organization that is licensed to conduct raffles outside the Commonwealth of Virginia;

2. The raffle is conducted in accordance with this chapter and the laws and regulations of the state where the drawing is to be held; and

3. The portion of the proceeds derived from the sale of raffle tickets in the Commonwealth is reported to the department.

M. Any permitted organization that ceases to conduct charitable gaming shall immediately notify the department in writing and provide the department a report as to the disposition of all unused charitable gaming supplies or electronic gaming devices on a form prescribed by the department.

11VAC20-20-50. Suspension, revocation, or denial of permit and authorization.

A. Pursuant to § 18.2-340.20 of the Code of Virginia, the department may suspend, revoke, or deny (i) the permit to conduct charitable gaming or to contract with an operator to administer a poker tournament or (ii) the authorization to operate and conduct electronic gaming of any organization for cause, including any of the following reasons:

1. The organization is found to be in violation of or has failed to meet any of the requirements of the Charitable Gaming Law or regulations governing the management, operation, and conduct of charitable gaming or electronic gaming in the Commonwealth.

2. The organization is found to be not in good standing with its state or national organization.

3. The IRS revokes or suspends the organization's federal tax-exempt status.

4. The organization willfully and knowingly provides false information in its application for a permit to conduct charitable gaming.

5. The organization is found to have a member involved in the management, operation, or conduct of its charitable gaming who has been convicted of any felony or any misdemeanor as follows:

a. For any person participating in the management or operation of any charitable gaming:

(1) Convicted of a felony; or

(2) Convicted of any misdemeanor involving fraud, theft, or financial crimes within the preceding five years.

b. For any person participating in the conduct of charitable gaming:

(1) Convicted of any felony within the preceding 10 years; or

(2) Convicted of any misdemeanor involving fraud, theft, or financial crimes within the preceding five years.

6. The organization is found to have managed, operated, or conducted a poker tournament or to have contracted with an operator or any person to administer a poker tournament on its behalf without a permit issued to the organization to do so.

7. If the qualified organization uses or intends to use an operator to administer its poker tournament, the qualified organization fails to submit or provide to the department (i) a written contract that complies with 11VAC20-30-180, (ii) a new or amended written contract with its operator within the 20 days following the date on which that contract is signed by all parties to the contract, or (iii) a new or amended written contract with its operator that complies with 11VAC20-30-180.

8. The qualified organization, member of the qualified organization, person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization, or immediate family member or person residing in the household of a member of the qualified organization or of a person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization directly or indirectly has any interest or ownership in an operator with which the qualified organization contracts to administer its poker tournament.

9. A member of the qualified organization; person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization; or immediate family member or person residing in the household of a director, officer, owner, partner, employee, independent contractor, or member of the qualified organization or of a person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization receives compensation from an operator with which the qualified organization contracts to administer its poker tournament.

10. If the qualified organization conducts a poker tournament or contracts with an operator to administer its poker tournament, the qualified organization, member of the qualified organization, person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization, or immediate family member or person residing in the household of a member of the qualified organization or of a person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization directly or indirectly receives any payment from the landlord of the facility where the poker tournament occurs or from the agents, employees, immediate family members, or persons residing in the household of the landlord unless such payment is directly related to a written contract to lease a facility for use to hold a poker tournament as required by 11VAC20-20-120 A and such payment is made by check or electronic fund transfer from the landlord directly to the qualified organization's charitable gaming account.

B. The failure to meet any of the requirements of § 18.2-340.24 of the Code of Virginia shall cause the denial of the permit, and no organization shall conduct any charitable gaming until the requirements are met and a permit is obtained.

C. The failure to meet the definition of a social organization or the requirements in § 18.2-340.26:1 shall cause the denial of the authorization to conduct electronic gaming, and no organization shall conduct electronic gaming until the requirements are met and an authorization is obtained.

D. Except when an organization fails to meet any of the requirements of § 18.2-340.24 of the Code of Virginia or fails to file a financial report as required by § 18.2-340.30 of the Code of Virginia or when a manufacturer fails to file a financial report as required by § 18.2-340.30:2 of the Code of Virginia, in lieu of suspending, revoking, or denying a permit to conduct charitable gaming; an authorization to operate and conduct electronic gaming; or a permit to distribute a distributed pull-tab system or electronic gaming devices, the department may afford an organization or manufacturer, at the department's discretion, an opportunity to enter into a compliance agreement specifying additional conditions or requirements as it may deem necessary to ensure an organization's or a manufacturer's compliance with the Charitable Gaming Law and regulations adopted pursuant thereto and may require that an organization or manufacturer participates in such training as is offered by the department.

E. If the premises on which a social organization operates and conducts electronic gaming is deemed a common nuisance pursuant to § 18.2-258 of the Code of Virginia, then the department may suspend, revoke, or deny the social organization's authorization to operate and conduct electronic gaming.

F. If a permit or authorization to operate and conduct electronic gaming is suspended, the department shall set the terms of the suspension, which shall include the length of the suspension and a requirement that, prior to reinstatement of the permit or authorization, the organization shall submit a remedial business plan to address the conditions that resulted in the suspension. The remedial business plan must be approved by the department prior to reinstatement of the permit or authorization.

G. An organization whose permit or authorization to operate and conduct electronic gaming is revoked shall be eligible to reapply for an authorization one year from the date of revocation. If the authorization was revoked fewer than 18 months prior to the organization reapplying for an authorization, the organization shall submit a remedial business plan for approval by the department to address the conditions that resulted in the revocation. The remedial business plan must be approved by the department prior to reinstatement of the permit or authorization. The department at its discretion may issue the authorization if it is satisfied that the organization's remedial business plan will result in compliance with the requirements of the Charitable Gaming Law and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

H. If a permit or authorization to operate and conduct electronic gaming is suspended, the department shall set the terms of the suspension, which shall include the length of the suspension and a requirement that prior to reinstatement of the authorization, the organization shall submit a remedial business plan approved by the department to address the conditions that resulted in the suspension. The remedial business plan must be approved by the department prior to reinstatement of the permit or authorization.

I. If an organization fails to meet the minimum use of proceeds requirement after having been suspended, the organization's authorization to operate and conduct electronic gaming shall be revoked. An organization whose authorization is revoked shall be eligible to reapply for an authorization at the end of one year from the date of revocation. If the authorization is revoked, the organization is required to reapply for an authorization, and if the authorization was revoked less than 18 months prior to reapplying for an authorization, then the organization shall submit a remedial business plan approved by the department to address the conditions that resulted in the revocation. The department at its discretion may issue the authorization if it is satisfied that the organization's remedial business plan will result in meeting the use of proceeds requirement.

11VAC20-20-80. Bank accounts.

A. A qualified organization shall maintain a charitable gaming bank account that is separate from any other bank account, and all gaming receipts, except receipts from electronic gaming, shall be deposited into the charitable gaming bank account.

B. Disbursements for expenses other than prizes and reimbursement of meal expenses shall be made by check directly from a charitable gaming bank account or a bank account authorized pursuant to subsection A of this section. However, expenses related to a network bingo game or, distributed pull tab system, or operator may be disbursed through an electronic fund transfer to the network bingo provider or, the permitted manufacturer or supplier providing the distributed pull-tab system, or operator, provided that such an arrangement is agreed upon by both (i) the qualified or social organization and (ii) the network bingo provider or, permitted manufacturer or supplier, or operator. A written agreement specifying the terms of this arrangement shall be required prior to any electronic fund transfer occurring between the two parties.

C. All records related to the charitable gaming bank account or the other bank account, authorized pursuant to subsection A of this section, including monthly bank statements, canceled checks or facsimiles thereof, and reconciliations, shall be maintained for a minimum of three years following the close of a fiscal year.

D. All receipts from each session of bingo games, network bingo games, raffles, instant bingo, pull-tabs, or seal cards shall be deposited by the second business day following the session at which they were received. All receipts from electronic gaming shall be deposited at least once every seven calendar days.

E. All receipts from a poker tournament shall be deposited by the second business day following the poker tournament at which they were received. However, receipts received by an operator for administering a poker tournament for a qualified organization may be deposited through an electronic fund transfer into the qualified organization's charitable gaming account provided that such an arrangement is agreed upon by both the qualified organization and the operator. A written agreement specifying the terms of this arrangement is required prior to any electronic fund transfer occurring between the two parties.

F. Raffle proceeds unrelated to a session shall be deposited into the qualified organization's charitable gaming bank account or a bank account authorized pursuant to subsection A of this section no later than the end of the calendar week following the week during which the organization received the proceeds.

F. G. A social organization operating and conducting electronic gaming or a qualified organization renting a premises from a social organization for the purpose of electronic gaming shall maintain a separate bank account for all receipts rebates, discounts, or refunds from electronic gaming.

11VAC20-20-90. Recordkeeping.

A. In addition to the records required by § 18.2-340.30 D of the Code of Virginia, qualified organizations conducting a session of bingo or electronic gaming; managing, operating, and conducting a poker tournament; or contracting with an operator to administer a poker tournament shall maintain a system of records for a minimum of three years following the close of the fiscal year, unless otherwise specified, for each session on forms prescribed by the department or reasonable facsimiles of those forms approved by the department that include:

1. Charitable gaming supplies, including electronic gaming or supplies, network bingo supplies, or poker tournament supplies purchased and used;

2. A session reconciliation form or an instant bingo, pull-tab, or seal card, or poker tournament reconciliation form completed and signed within 48 hours of the end of the session by the game manager. For electronic gaming, an electronic gaming reconciliation form completed and signed within 48 hours of the deposit of receipts in accordance with 11VAC20-20-80 D;

3. All discounts provided;

4. A reconciliation to account for (i) cash received from floor workers for the sale of extra bingo sheets for any game or network bingo cards or (ii) cash received from dealers or game workers as payment from players for entry into the poker tournament or for add-ons;

5. The summary report that electronic bingo systems are required to maintain pursuant to 11VAC20-20-140 D 11;

6. An admissions control system that provides a cross-check on the number of players in attendance and admission sales. This may include a ticket control system, cash register, or any similar system. The requirements of this subdivision shall not apply to the operation and conduct of electronic gaming;

7. All operating expenses, including rent, advertising, and security. Copies of invoices for all such expenses shall also be maintained;

8. Expected and actual receipts from games played on hard bingo cards and number of games played on hard bingo cards;

9. A record of the name and address of each winner for all seal cards; in addition, the and poker tournaments. The winning ticket and seal card shall be maintained for a minimum of 90 days after the session;

10. For poker tournaments, an itemized record of all receipts and expenses associated with a poker tournament, including rent, advertisement, and security as well as an itemized record of all use of proceeds disbursements. Copies of invoices and other documentation for all such expenses shall also be maintained;

11. For poker tournaments, any other operating expenses for which receipts from a poker tournament were disbursed. Copies of invoices and other documentation for all such other expenses shall also be maintained;

12. A record of all door prizes awarded; and

11. 13. For any prize or jackpot of a value that meets or exceeds the reporting requirements in the Internal Revenue Service's Publication 3079, the name and address of each individual to whom any such prize or jackpot is awarded and the amount of the award.

B. Qualified organizations conducting raffles unrelated to a session shall have a recordkeeping system to account for cash receipts, cash disbursements, raffle tickets purchased or sold, and prizes awarded. All records shall be maintained for a minimum of three years following the close of the fiscal year. The recordkeeping system shall include:

1. Invoices for the purchase of raffle tickets, which shall reflect the following information:

a. Name and address of supplier;

b. Name of purchaser;

c. Date of purchase;

d. Number of tickets printed;

e. Ticket number sequence for tickets printed; and

f. Sales price of individual ticket;

2. A record of cash receipts from raffle ticket sales by tracking the total number of tickets available for sale, the number issued to sellers, the number returned, the number sold, and reconciliation of all raffle sales to receipts;

3. Serial numbers of tickets for raffle sales initiated and concluded at a bingo game or sequentially numbered tickets, which shall state the name, address, and telephone number of the organization, the prize to be awarded, the date of the prize drawing or selection, the selling price of the raffle ticket, and the charitable gaming permit number;

4. For any raffle prize of a value that meets or exceeds the reporting requirements in the Internal Revenue Service's Publication 3079, receipts on which prize winners must provide printed name, residence address, and the amount and description of the prize received; and

5. Deposit records of the required weekly deposits of raffle receipts.

C. All raffle tickets shall have a detachable section; be consecutively numbered with the detachable section having the same number; provide space for the purchaser's name, complete address, and telephone number; and state (i) the name and address of the organization; (ii) the prize to be awarded; (iii) the date, time, and location of the prize drawing; (iv) the selling price of the ticket; and (v) the charitable gaming permit number. Winning tickets and unsold tickets shall be maintained for a minimum of three years following the close of the fiscal year.

D. All unused charitable gaming supplies, including network bingo supplies, shall either be returned for refund to the original supplier in unopened original packaging in resalable condition as determined by the supplier or destroyed following notification to the department on a form prescribed by the department. The organization shall maintain a receipt for all such supplies returned to the supplier or destroyed.

E. If a qualified organization uses an operator to administer its poker tournament, then the qualified organization and its operator shall each maintain independent records on each poker tournament. The qualified organization shall not have its records managed, maintained, or stored by an operator.

11VAC20-20-120. Requirements regarding renting premises, agreements, and landlord participation.

A. No qualified organization shall lease, rent, or use any premises to operate or conduct charitable gaming unless all terms and conditions for lease, rental, or use are set forth in a written agreement and signed by the parties thereto prior to the issuance of a permit to operate and conduct charitable gaming or authorization to operate and conduct electronic gaming.

B. Organizations shall not make payments to a landlord or a landlord's agent or employee except by check drawn on the organization's charitable gaming account.

C. No landlord, landlord's agent or employee, member of a landlord's immediate family, or person residing in a landlord's household shall make, directly or indirectly, a loan to any of the organization's officers, directors, or game managers, or operators, or to any organization involved in the management, operation, or conduct of charitable gaming or electronic gaming of an organization in Virginia that leases its charitable gaming premises from the landlord.

D. No landlord, landlord's agent or employee, member of a landlord's immediate family, or person residing in a landlord's household shall make any direct or indirect payment to any qualified organization or the organization's officers, directors, or game managers involved in the management, operation, or conduct of charitable gaming or electronic gaming conducted on a premise leased from the landlord in Virginia unless the payment is authorized by the lease agreement and is in accordance with the law.

E. No landlord, landlord's agent or employee, member of a landlord's immediate family, or person residing in a landlord's same household shall do any of the following at charitable games or electronic games operated and conducted on the landlord's premises:

1. Participate in the management, operation, or conduct of any charitable games or electronic games;

2. Sell, lease, or otherwise provide any charitable gaming supplies, including bingo cards, pull-tab cards, distributed pull-tab systems, electronic gaming devices, network bingo cards, playing cards, poker chips, or other game pieces; or

3. Require as a condition of the lease that a particular manufacturer, distributor, network bingo provider, or supplier of charitable gaming supplies or electronic gaming device, or operator is used by the organization; or

4. Provide, advise, or direct the qualified organization or its operator to use any particular person to manage, operate, conduct, or administer a poker tournament that is to be held in the landlord's premises.

"Charitable gaming supplies" as used in this chapter shall not include glue, markers, or tape sold from concession stands or from a location physically separated from the location where charitable gaming supplies are normally sold.

F. No member of an organization involved in the management, operation, or conduct of charitable gaming or electronic gaming shall provide any services to a landlord or a landlord's agents or employees or be remunerated in any manner by the landlord of the premises or such landlord's agents or employees where an organization is operating or conducting its charitable gaming or electronic gaming.

G. For the purpose of operating and conducting electronic gaming, a qualified organization shall only lease or rent the premises of a permitted and authorized social organization that is operating and conducting electronic gaming pursuant to §§ 18.2-340.25:1 and 18.2-340.26:3 of the Code of Virginia. All terms and conditions for leasing or renting of the premises shall be set forth in a written agreement and signed by the parties. No qualified organization shall operate and conduct electronic gaming until the written agreement is submitted to the department for review and the department issues a permit authorizing the qualified organization to conduct and operate electronic gaming.

H. The lease agreement between a social organization authorized to operate and conduct electronic gaming and a qualified organization that intends to lease or rent the social organization's public space in order to operate and conduct electronic gaming:

1. Shall not require the qualified organization to acquire, lease, obtain, purchase, rent, or use an electronic gaming device from a specific manufacturer;

2. Shall not provide for the employment or compensation of any member of the social organization for the purpose of organizing, managing, or conducting electronic gaming;

3. Shall establish a fixed rental or lease payment amount that reflects the fair market rental value, as defined in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia. The fixed rental or lease payment amount shall not be based on a percentage of the qualified organization's electronic gaming receipts or the number of players at its electronic gaming session;

4. Shall not include a clause or condition that restricts the qualified organization from operating and conducting electronic gaming at the premises of another social organization; and

5. Shall not authorize the qualified organization to operate and conduct electronic gaming in the social organization's social quarters.

I. A social organization that is permitted and authorized to operate and conduct electronic gaming that leases its premises to a qualified organization so that the qualified organization may operate and conduct electronic gaming:

1. Shall not restrict a qualified organization's ability to conduct electronic gaming at the premise of another social organization;

2. Shall not lease or rent its social quarters to a qualified organization for the purpose of operating and conducting electronic gaming;

3. Shall not enter into any agreement that employs or otherwise compensates any person from the qualified organization to participate in the management, operation, or conduct of electronic gaming; and

4. Shall only lease or rent its premises by means of a fixed rental or lease payment amount that is established in the written agreement and reflects the fair market rental value, as defined in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia. The fixed rental or lease payment amount shall not be based on a percentage of the qualified organization's receipts from electronic gaming or the number of players at its electronic gaming session.

11VAC20-20-600. Procedural rules for the conduct of fact-finding conferences and hearings.

A. As used in this part, "manufacturer" means a person or entity that assembles from raw materials or subparts a distributed pull-tab system.

B. Fact-finding conference; notification, appearance, and conduct.

1. Unless automatic revocation or immediate suspension is required by law, no permit to conduct charitable gaming, sell charitable gaming supplies, or distribute a distributed pull-tab system; no registration to lease a facility for the purpose of holding a poker tournament; or no authorization to operate and conduct electronic gaming shall be denied, suspended, or revoked except upon notice stating the basis for such proposed action and the time and place for a fact-finding conference as set forth in § 2.2-4019 of the Administrative Process Act.

2. If a basis exists for a refusal to renew, suspend, or revoke a permit or authorization, the department shall notify by certified mail or by hand delivery the interested persons at the address of record maintained by the department.

3. Notification shall include the basis for the proposed action and afford interested persons the opportunity to present written and oral information to the department that may have a bearing on the proposed action at a fact-finding conference. If there is no withdrawal, a fact-finding conference shall be scheduled at the earliest mutually agreeable date, but no later than 60 days from the date of the notification. Organizations,; suppliers,; persons who manage, operate, conduct, or administer poker tournaments; landlords leasing a facility for a poker tournament; or manufacturers who wish to waive their right to a conference shall notify the department at least 14 days before the scheduled conference.

4. If after consideration of evidence presented during an informal fact-finding conference, a basis for action still exists, the interested persons shall be notified in writing within 60 days of the fact-finding conference via certified or hand-delivered mail of the decision and the right to a formal hearing. Parties to the conference may agree to extend the report deadline if more time is needed to consider relevant evidence.

C. Hearing; notification, appearance, and conduct.

1. If after a fact-finding conference, a sufficient basis still exists to deny, suspend, or revoke a permit or authorization, interested persons shall be notified by certified or hand-delivered mail of the proposed action and of the opportunity for a hearing on the proposed action. If an organization,; supplier,; person who manages, operates, conducts, or administers a poker tournament; landlord leasing a facility for a poker tournament; or manufacturer desires to request a hearing, the organization, supplier, or manufacturer shall notify the department within 14 days of receipt of a report on the conference. Parties may enter into a consent agreement to settle the issues at any time prior to or subsequent to an informal fact-finding conference.

2. If an interested party or representative fails to appear at a hearing, the hearing officer may proceed in the interested party's or representative's absence and make a recommendation.

3. Oral and written arguments may be submitted to and limited by the hearing officer. Oral arguments shall be recorded in an appropriate manner.

D. Hearing location. Hearings before a hearing officer shall be held, insofar as practicable, in the county or city in which the organization,; supplier,; person who manages, operates, conducts, or administers a poker tournament; landlord leasing a facility for a poker tournament; or manufacturer is located. If the parties agree, hearing officers may conduct hearings at locations convenient to the greatest number of persons or by telephone conference, video conference, or similar technology, in order to expedite the hearing process.

E. Hearing decisions.

1. Recommendations of the hearing officer shall be a part of the record and shall include a written statement of the hearing officer's findings of fact and recommendations as well as the reasons or basis for the recommendations. Recommendations shall be based upon all the material issues of fact, law, or discretion presented on the record.

2. The department shall review the recommendation of the hearing officer and render a decision on the recommendation within 30 days of receipt. The decision shall cite the appropriate rule, relief, or denial thereof as to each issue.

F. Agency representation. The commissioner's designee may represent the department in an informal conference or at a hearing.

11VAC20-20-610. Reporting violations.

A. Unless otherwise required by law, the identity of any individual who provides information to the department or its agents regarding alleged violations shall be held in strict confidence.

B. Any officer, director, or game manager of a qualified organization or social organization or any; officer or director of a supplier or manufacturer; person who manages, operates, conducts, or administers a poker tournament; or landlord leasing a facility for a poker tournament shall immediately report to the department any information pertaining to the suspected misappropriation or theft of funds or any other violation of the Charitable Gaming Law or regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

C. Failure to report the information required by subsection B of this section may result in the denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit to conduct charitable gaming, permit to sell charitable gaming supplies, registration as a landlord, or authorization to operate and conduct electronic gaming.

D. Any officer, director, or game manager of a qualified organization or social organization involved in the management, operation, or conduct of charitable gaming or electronic gaming shall immediately notify the department upon being convicted of a felony or a crime involving fraud, theft, or financial crimes.

E. Any officer, director, partner, or owner of a supplier or manufacturer; person who manages, operates, conducts, or administers a poker tournament; or landlord leasing a facility for a poker tournament shall immediately notify the department upon being convicted or of pleading nolo contendere to a felony or a crime involving gambling or an action against any license or certificate held by the supplier or manufacturer in any state in the United States.

F. Failure to report information required by subsection D or E of this section by any officer, director, or game manager of a qualified organization or social organization or by any supplier or manufacturer may result in the denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit to conduct charitable gaming, permit to sell charitable gaming supplies, or authorization to operate and conduct electronic gaming.

G. Any officer, director, or game manager of a qualified organization involved in charitable gaming or electronic gaming shall immediately report to the department any change the IRS makes in the tax status of the organization, or if the organization is a chapter of a national organization covered by a group tax exempt determination, the tax status of the national organization.

H. All organizations regulated by the department shall display prominently a (i) poster advising the public of a telephone number where complaints relating to charitable gaming may be made and (ii) a poster that bears a toll-free telephone number for "Gamblers Anonymous" or other organization that provides assistance to compulsive gamblers. Such posters shall be in a format prescribed by the department.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (11VAC20-20)

IRS Publication 3079, Tax-Exempt Organizations and Gaming (rev. 6/2010)

Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules, Federal Information Processing Standard, FIPS Pub 140-2 (rev. 12/2002)

Poker Tournament Directors Association Rules, Poker Tournament Directors Association, 2019, September 17, 2019, https://www.pokertda.com ]

Chapter 30

Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament Regulations

11VAC20-30-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

[ "Add-on" means a player's purchase of additional poker chips during a tournament at preannounced times before that player runs out of poker chips. ]

"Administer" means the conduct of activities by an operator that are associated with production of a poker tournament.

"Agent" means any person authorized by an operator, charitable gaming supplier, or landlord to act for or in place of such operator, supplier, or landlord.

"Charitable Gaming Law" means Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Charitable host representative" means a person who (i) is a bona fide member, as defined in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia, of the qualified organization; (ii) meets all other requirements for bona fide members set forth in the Charitable Gaming Law and regulations adopted pursuant thereto; (iii) does not receive remuneration pursuant to § 18.2-340.33 of the Code of Virginia; and (iv) is responsible for the oversight of the written contract between the qualified organization and operator during the poker tournament.

"Conduct" means the actions by a qualified organization associated with the provision of a poker tournament during and immediately before or after the permitted activity, which may include (i) dealing playing cards; (ii) distributing poker chips; (iii) distributing prizes; and (iv) any other services provided by a charitable host representative, volunteer game worker, or volunteer dealer.

"Dealer" means a volunteer or volunteer member of a qualified organization or an employee, contractor, volunteer, or agent of an operator whose primary function is to distribute cards to players and manage the action at the poker table during a poker game.

"Department" means the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

"Fiscal year" means the 12-month period beginning January 1 and ending December 31 of any given year.

"Flush" means a hand consisting of five cards of the same suit.

"Four of a kind" means a hand consisting of four cards of the same rank, with four aces being the highest ranking four of a kind and four deuces being the lowest ranking four of a kind.

"Full house" means a hand consisting of three of a kind and a pair, with three aces and two kings being the highest-ranking full house and three deuces and two threes being the lowest ranking full house.

"Game manager" means a person who (i) is a bona fide member, as defined in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia, of the qualified organization that is managing, operating, and conducting the poker tournament; (ii) meets all other requirements for bona fide members set forth in the Charitable Gaming Law and this chapter; (iii) does not receive remuneration pursuant to § 18.2-340.33 of the Code of Virginia; and (iv) is responsible for the operation of the qualified organization's poker tournament.

"Hi/Lo" means a variation of Texas Hold'em poker in which the highest or lowest poker hands split the pot.

"Immediate family" means a person's spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandchild, grandparent, mother or father-in-law, or stepchild.

"IRS" means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or its successor.

"Landlord" means any person who owns or leases any premises devoted in whole or in part for use to hold a poker tournament or such person's agent, firm, association, organization, partnership, corporation, employee, or immediate family member thereof or any person residing in the same household as a landlord.

"Manufacturer" means a person that assembles from raw materials or subparts a completed piece of charitable gaming equipment or supplies. "Manufacturer" also means a person who or an entity that modifies, converts, adds, or removes parts to or from charitable gaming equipment or supplies.

"Operator" means a person [ who is not affiliated with a qualified organization pursuant to 11VAC20-30-90 and ] who has registered with the department in accordance with 11VAC20-30-50 to administer poker tournaments.

"Pair" means two cards of the same rank.

"Poker game" means a Texas Hold'em poker game as defined in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia.

"Poker tournament" means a Texas Hold'em poker tournament as defined in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia.

"Pot" means the total amount bet by players during a poker game.

"Rakes" or "cutting of pots" means the taking of a portion of the pot as a fee or other compensation for providing services during a poker game or tournament, including the services of a dealer.

"Remuneration" means payment in cash or the provision of anything of value for goods provided or services rendered.

"Re-buy" means a player's purchase of additional poker chips [ at a predetermined time and for a predetermined fee during a tournament after that player runs out of poker chips ].

"Royal flush" means a hand consisting of an ace, king, queen, jack, and 10 of the same suit.

"Shuffler" means a device that randomizes playing cards.

"Straight" means a hand consisting of five cards of consecutive rank, regardless of suit, with an ace, king, queen, jack, and 10 being the highest ranking straight and an ace, two, three, four, and five being the lowest ranking straight provided, however, that an ace may not be combined with any other sequence of cards for purposes of determining a winning hand (e.g., queen, king, ace, deuce, three).

"Straight flush" means a hand consisting of five cards of the same suit in consecutive ranking with king, queen, jack, 10, and nine being the highest ranking straight flush and ace, deuce, three, four, and five being the lowest straight flush provided, however, that an ace may not be combined with any other sequence of cards for purposes of determining a winning hand (e.g., queen, king, ace, deuce, three).

"Suit" means one of the four categories of cards: club, diamond, heart, or spade, with no suit being higher rank than another.

"Three of a kind" means a hand consisting of three cards of the same rank, with three aces being the highest ranking three of a kind and three deuces being the lowest ranking three of a kind.

"Two pairs" means a hand containing two pairs.

"Tournament chip" or "poker chip" means a token used for wagering in a poker tournament that has no cash value.

"Tournament manager" means a person who is employed or contracted by an operator to administer poker tournaments for a qualified organization.

"Use of proceeds" means the use of funds derived by a qualified organization from its charitable gaming activities for the organization's lawful religious, charitable, community, or educational purpose.

11VAC20-30-20. General requirements.

A qualified organization permitted to conduct poker tournaments shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Charitable Gaming Law, all applicable provisions of 11VAC20-20, and all other regulations adopted pursuant to the Charitable Gaming Law.

11VAC20-30-30. Organization eligibility; permit requirements.

An organization that will conduct a poker tournament is subject to the provisions of 11VAC20-20-20 regarding organization eligibility and permit requirements.

11VAC20-30-40. Permit application process for an organization.

An organization that will conduct a poker tournament is subject to the provisions of 11VAC20-20-30 regarding the permit application process for an organization.

11VAC20-30-50. Operator registration.

A. No qualified organization shall conduct a poker tournament utilizing an operator that is not registered with the department.

B. Any person wishing to administer a poker tournament in Virginia shall obtain a registration from the department. A person seeking to administer a poker tournament on behalf of a qualified organization shall apply to the department for an operator registration on a form prescribed by the department. [ As part of the registration, a sample of the badge to be worn by the tournament manager, dealer, and other game workers throughout the duration of the qualified organization's poker tournament shall be provided to the department. The sample badge shall meet the criteria set forth in 11VAC20-30-60 Q. ]

C. Any operator that offers to sell, sells, or otherwise provides charitable gaming supplies, which includes playing cards for Texas Hold'em poker, poker chips, and any other equipment or product manufactured for or intended to be used in the conduct of a poker tournament, to any qualified organization must obtain a charitable gaming supplier permit in accordance with § 18.2-340.34 of the Code of Virginia.

D. An operator registration shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance or for the period specified on the registration. The department may issue a registration for a period of less than one year.

E. If any information on the registration application changes or is found to be inaccurate, then the applicant shall notify the department and provide the updated or corrected information within three business days of the change or the discovery of the inaccuracy.

11VAC20-30-60. Requirements for administering, conducting, managing, or operating a poker tournament.

A. A person who has managed, operated, conducted, or administered charitable gaming without a valid license, permit, certificate, registration, or other similar authority related to gambling in any state, territory, or possession of the United States; the District of Columbia; or any political subdivision thereof shall not manage, operate, conduct, or administer a poker tournament.

B. A person who manages, operates, conducts, or administers a poker tournament shall not use or continue to use a poker product that has been recalled by the manufacturer.

C. A person shall not administer a poker tournament for a person who is not permitted to conduct a poker tournament or is not authorized to conduct business in the Commonwealth.

D. A person who administers or conducts a poker tournament must notify the department within 20 days of the occurrence, knowledge, or receipt of the filing of any administrative or legal action against the person relating to gambling or the administration of poker tournaments.

E. A person shall not breach any provision of the contract prescribed in 11VAC20-30-180 between an operator and a qualified organization.

F. A person who has been found to have violated any provision of the Charitable Gaming Law or a regulation adopted pursuant thereto shall not manage, operate, conduct, or administer a poker tournament.

G. A qualified organization shall ensure that all persons, including those employed by the operator, involved in the management, operation, conduct, or administration of a poker tournament are trained in the use of any equipment, on the policies and procedures relevant to the person's function, on the person's responsibilities, on the poker game, and on the Charitable Gaming Law and this chapter. The qualified organization shall ensure the completion of the training required by this subsection, and such completion shall be documented, maintained, and available for inspection by the department, at the department's request.

H. No person other than the charitable organization shall submit a permit application or financial report on behalf of a charitable organization.

I. If the department identifies through inspection, audit, or other means that a person is not in compliance with statutory or regulatory requirements or has ineffective internal controls, the department may impose restrictions consistent with the provisions of this chapter.

J. Any records the department deems necessary to complete an inspection, audit, or investigation may be collected by the department from the premises of any location where a poker tournament is conducted or any location where the records are located or stored. The department shall provide a written receipt of such records at the time of collection.

K. A person who administers a poker tournament shall provide the charitable organization a detailed invoice for each tournament the person administers. The invoice shall reflect the following:

1. Name, address, and the organization number of the qualified organization;

2. Date and location of the poker tournament; and

3. Gross receipts, net receipts, and prize disbursement.

L. A person providing security for an organization's charitable gaming activity shall not participate in the charitable gaming activity and shall not be compensated with charitable gaming supplies, including poker chips.

M. A member of a qualified organization; a person [ affiliated or ] associated with the qualified organization; or an immediate family member or person residing in the household of a director, officer, owner, partner, employee, independent contractor, [ a or ] member of the qualified organization, or a person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization shall not receive compensation from an operator with whom the qualified organization contracts to administer a poker tournament.

N. A qualified organization shall prohibit an operator and the operator's directors, officers, owners, partners, tournament managers, employees, independent contractors, volunteers, and agents or the immediate family members or persons residing in the household of an operator's directors, officers, owners, partners, tournament managers, employees, independent contractors, volunteers, or agents from playing in a poker tournament [ that ] the operator administers for the qualified organization.

O. A qualified organization shall ensure that any poker tournament [ that ] the qualified organization conducts or contracts with an operator to administer has internal control policies and procedures that include segregation of duties, cash security, and cash controls based on generally accepted standards.

P. [ A qualified organization shall only pay a fixed fee to an operator for services. ] No qualified organization shall pay a gross aggregate compensation to the operator based on a percentage of the revenue the qualified organization collects for that tournament. [ No other fees, charges or assessments shall be paid by the qualified organization The qualified organization shall not pay any other fees, charges, or assessments ] to an operator for administering a poker tournament except [ such a ] fixed fee.

Q. [ All persons managing, operating, conducting, or administering a poker tournament shall wear a badge that meets the requirements set forth in 11VAC20-30-90 Q and shall possess a current photo identification, such as a driver's license or other government-issued identification, while managing, operating, conducting, or administering a poker tournament. All persons shall provide the badge and photo identification to the department upon request. During a poker tournament, all game managers, tournament managers, charitable host representatives, dealers, and all other game workers shall wear a badge that is visible to players and to the department throughout the duration of the poker tournament. The badge shall include:

1. A recent photo of the person;

2. The first name of the person;

3. The name of the qualified organization or operator; and

4. The date the badge was issued to the person.

Each game manager, tournament manager, charitable host representative, dealer, or other game worker shall also possess a current photo identification, such as a driver's license or other government-issued identification. A game manager, tournament manager, charitable host representative, dealer, or other game worker shall provide the game manager's, tournament manager's, charitable host representative's, dealer's, or other game worker's badge, current photo identification, or both upon request by the department. ]

R. A qualified organization shall only contract with an operator [ (i) ] that [ (i) ] purchases or receives its charitable gaming supplies from a permitted charitable gaming supplier pursuant to § 18.2-340.34 of the Code of Virginia or (ii) is permitted as a charitable gaming supplier.

S. Any house rules that shall govern the poker tournament shall be prominently displayed during each poker tournament. [ All house rules shall be preapproved by the department and shall be consistent with the Charitable Gaming Law, this chapter, and the official rules for poker tournaments established by the Poker Tournament Directors Association. ]

T. A qualified organization shall not rent, lease, or otherwise use any premises for the purposes of holding a poker tournament from a person who is not registered with the department as a landlord in accordance with 11VAC20-30-130.

11VAC20-30-70. Suspension, revocation, or denial of permit for organization.

A. Pursuant to § 18.2-340.20 of the Code of Virginia, the department may suspend, revoke, or deny the permit of any qualified organization to manage, operate, or conduct poker tournaments or to contract with an operator to administer the qualified organization's poker tournaments for cause, including any of the following reasons:

1. Any person involved in the management, operation, or conduct of the qualified organization's poker tournaments is found to be in violation of or has failed to meet any of the requirements of the Charitable Gaming Law [ or, ] this chapter [ , or 11VAC20-20 ].

2. The qualified organization is found to be not in good standing with its state or national organization.

3. The IRS revokes or suspends the qualified organization's tax-exempt status.

4. The qualified organization willfully and knowingly provides false information in its application for a permit to conduct charitable gaming.

5. Any person involved in the management, operation, [ administration, ] or conduct of the qualified organization's poker tournament has been convicted of any felony or any misdemeanor as follows:

a. For any person participating in the management or operation of any charitable gaming:

(1) Convicted of a felony; or

(2) Convicted of any misdemeanor involving fraud, theft, or financial crimes within the preceding five years.

b. For any person participating in the [ administration or ] conduct of charitable gaming:

(1) Convicted of any felony within the preceding 10 years; or

(2) Convicted of any misdemeanor involving fraud, theft, or financial crimes within the preceding five years.

6. The qualified organization fails to report a violation as required by 11VAC20-20-610.

7. The qualified organization is found to have managed, operated, or conducted a poker tournament or contracted with an operator or any person that administered a poker tournament on its behalf without a permit issued to the qualified organization to do so.

8. The qualified organization fails to comply with the requirements of 11VAC20-20-30.

9. If the qualified organization uses or intends to use an operator to administer its poker tournament, the qualified organization fails to submit or provide to the department a written contract that complies with 11VAC20-30-180, fails to submit or provide to the department a new or amended written contract with its operator within the 20 days following the date on which the contract is signed by all parties to the contract, or fails to submit or provide to the department a new or amended written contract with its operator that complies with 11VAC20-30-180.

10. The qualified organization [ ,; ] the members of the qualified organization [ ,; ] any persons affiliated or associated with the qualified organization [ ,; ] or immediate family members or persons residing in the household of a member of the qualified organization or [ of ] a person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization [ shall not ] directly or indirectly [ receive received or receives ] a loan from a landlord [ ,; ] operator [ ,; ] charitable gaming supplier [ ,; ] or the agents, employees, immediate family members, or persons residing in the household of a landlord, operator, or charitable gaming supplier. [ For the purpose of this subdivision, a "loan" is a loan that the qualified organization; member of the qualified organization; person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization; or immediate family members or persons residing in the household of a member of the qualified organization or of a person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization directly or indirectly receives (i) during the qualified organization's contract with the landlord; operator; charitable gaming supplier; or the agents, employees, immediate family members, or persons residing in the household of a landlord, operator, or charitable gaming supplier; or (ii) within the three years preceding the effective date of that contract. For the purpose of this subdivision, a "loan" is a loan on which the qualified organization; member of the qualified organization; person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization; or immediate family members or persons residing in the household of a member of the qualified organization or of a person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization maintains an outstanding balance during the qualified organization's contract with the landlord; operator; charitable gaming supplier; or the agents, employees, immediate family members, or persons residing in the household of a landlord, operator, or charitable gaming supplier. ]

B. The failure to meet any of the requirements of § 18.2-340.24 of the Code of Virginia shall be cause for the denial of the permit, and no qualified organization shall manage, operate, and conduct any poker tournaments or contract with an operator to administer the qualified organization's poker tournaments until the requirements are met and a permit is obtained.

C. If the department suspends a qualified organization's permit, the department shall set the terms of the suspension, which shall include the length of the suspension and a requirement that, prior to reinstatement of the permit, the organization shall submit a remedial business plan to address the conditions that resulted in the suspension.

11VAC20-30-80. Poker tournaments.

[ A. A Texas Hold'em poker tournament is a competition at which:

1. Players shall pay a fixed fee for entry into the competition and for a certain amount of poker chips for use in the competition;

2. Players may be allowed to pay an additional fee during set preannounced times of the competition to receive additional poker chips for use in the competition;

3. Players may be seated at one or more tables simultaneously playing Texas Hold'em poker games;

4. Players shall, upon running out of poker chips, be eliminated from the competition;

5. A set preannounced number of players shall be awarded prizes of value according to how long such players remain in the competition;

6. The tournament has a fixed and predetermined end time in accordance with this section; and

7. The poker chips have no monetary or cash value and no actual currency is wagered.

B. ] Any poker [ competition game conducted by a qualified organization ] that does not meet the requirements established in [ subsection A of this section § 18.2-340.16 and subsection 16 of § 18.2-340.33 of the Code of Virginia, this chapter, and 11VAC20-20 ] is not a poker tournament and is prohibited pursuant to § 18.2-340.22 of the Code of Virginia. A qualified organization shall ensure its poker tournament meets the requirements established in [ subsection A of this section the Charitable Gaming Law, this chapter, and 11VAC20-20 ].

11VAC20-30-90. Operation of poker tournaments; administration of poker tournaments.

A. A qualified organization shall only manage, operate, and conduct a poker tournament after a permit has been issued pursuant to 11VAC20-20-20 by the department. A qualified organization that contracts with an operator that is registered pursuant to 11VAC20-30-50 shall obtain a permit prior to the operator administering a poker tournament.

B. A person shall only administer a poker tournament for a qualified organization permitted by the department pursuant to 11VAC20-20-20 and shall only administer a poker tournament after the person is registered pursuant to 11VAC20-30-50.

C. A qualified organization's game managers, volunteer game workers, dealers, charitable host representatives, or the immediate family members or persons residing in the household of a qualified organization's game managers, volunteer game workers, dealers, or charitable host representatives shall not participate as a player or otherwise play in the poker tournament in which they served as a game manager, volunteer game worker, dealer, or charitable host representative conducted by or administered for the organization.

D. The qualified organization shall ensure an operator's directors [ ,; ] officers [ ,; ] owners [ ,; ] partners [ ,; ] tournament managers [ , dealers,; ] employees [ ,; ] independent contractors [ ,; ] volunteers [ ,; ] agents [ ,; ] or the immediate family members or persons residing in the household of an operator's directors, officers, owners, partners, tournament managers, [ dealers, ] employees, independent contractors, volunteers, or agents do not participate as a player or otherwise play in the poker tournament for which the operator is contracted to administer. [ The qualified organization, in its sole discretion, may prohibit dealers of the contracted operator from playing in any tournament that the operator conducts for the qualified organization. The qualified organization shall ensure that no dealer plays in a tournament in which they were employed to deal, a tournament conducted concurrently with one in which they are employed to deal, or within 48 hours of any shift. The qualified organization shall ensure that an operator's dealers or the dealer's immediate family member do not participate as a player or otherwise play in the qualified organization's tournament when working as a dealer. ]

E. A qualified organization is responsible for all actions performed by its game managers, volunteer game workers, dealers, and charitable host representatives. If a qualified organization contracts with an operator to administer its poker tournament, the qualified organization is responsible for ensuring the poker tournament is administered in compliance with the Charitable Gaming Law [ and, ] this chapter [ , and 11VAC20-20 ].

F. [ A qualified organization may not hold concurrent poker tournaments.

G. A qualified organization may conduct poker tournaments only at a location within the county, city, or town in which the organization's principal office, as registered with the State Corporation Commission, is located or in an adjoining county, city, or town. A qualified organization may not conduct poker at an establishment that has been granted a license pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 4.1-200 et seq.) of Title 4.1 of the Code of Virginia unless such license is held by the organization.

H. ] A qualified organization shall ensure that all persons, including the operator's employees, independent contractors, volunteers, or agents, involved in the management, operation, conduct, or administration of a poker tournament are trained in the use of any equipment, on the policies and procedures relevant to the person's function, on the person's responsibilities, on the poker game, and on the Charitable Gaming Law [ and, ] this chapter [ , and 11VAC20-20 ] . All training courses shall be approved in advance by the department.

Any person who will serve as a dealer shall be trained, at a minimum, in the following:

1. Procedures for opening and closing tables for the poker tournament, including the proper security procedures regarding poker chip inventories;

2. Procedures for distributing and removing gaming chips and plaques from the poker tournament table;

3. Procedures for accepting cash at the poker tournament table;

4. Procedures for shift changes at the poker tournament table;

5. Procedures for the proper placement of wagers by players and the proper collection of losing wagers and payment of winning wagers; and

6. Recognizing problem and compulsive gamblers at poker tournaments and procedures for informing supervisory personnel.

Before any person who will serve as a dealer is allowed to deal at a poker tournament, the prospective dealer [ shall must ] pass a table test. A table test shall consist of the dealer demonstrating proficiency [ at prior to ] the poker tournament to the satisfaction of the game manager or tournament manager. The qualified organization shall ensure the completion of the training required by this subsection and the successful completion of the table test by the prospective dealer. Such completion shall be documented, maintained, and available for inspection by the department, at [ their its ] request.

[ I. G. ] The qualified organization shall be responsible for ensuring all house rules are followed during the poker tournament, including those house rules administered by an operator.

[ J. H. ] If a qualified organization is managing, operating, and conducting its own poker tournament, then a game manager must be physically present during the entire duration of the poker tournament. If an operator is administering a qualified organization's poker tournament, then the charitable host representative must be physically present during the entire duration of the poker tournament and ensure the tournament manager is physically present during the entire duration of the poker tournament.

[ K. A qualified organization shall provide a badge that meets the criteria established in 11VAC20-30-90 Q for each of its game managers, the tournament manager, the charitable host representative, dealers, and other game workers. Each game manager, tournament manager, charitable host representative, dealer, or other game worker shall wear a badge so that the badge is visible to players and to the department during the duration of the poker tournament. Each game manager, tournament manager, charitable host representative, dealer, or other game worker shall also possess a current photo identification, such as a driver's license or other government-issued identification. The game manager, tournament manager, charitable host representative, each dealer, and all other game workers shall provide the badge, current photo identification, or both upon request by the department to do so.

L. I. ] If a qualified organization is managing, operating, and conducting its own poker tournament, then a game manager shall complete and sign a poker tournament reconciliation form within the 48 hours following the end of the poker tournament, as required by 11VAC20-30-100. If an operator is administering a qualified organization's poker tournament, then the charitable host representative shall complete a poker tournament reconciliation form, sign it, and ensure the tournament manager signs it within the 48 hours following the end of the poker tournament as required by 11VAC20-30-100.

[ M. J. ] All persons involved in managing, operating, conducting, or administering a poker tournament shall be 18 years of age or older.

[ N. K. ] During a poker tournament [ held by a qualified organization, no gambling or gaming may take place other than that specifically authorized by this chapter managed, operated, and conducted by a qualified organization or administered by an operator on behalf of the qualified organization, no other gambling or gaming may take place within the rooms used to manage, operate, conduct, or administer the poker tournament ].

[ L. ] During a poker tournament held by a qualified organization, no person may use currency, a token that is not an authorized tournament chip, or other thing of value as a wager.

[ O. No poker games utilizing any electromechanical device or other mechanism employing electronic chips, tubes, video display screens, or microprocessors may be used during a poker tournament M. The qualified organization shall be responsible for ensuring that all poker tournaments use human dealers and that the dealers are in the same physical location as all of the players ].

[ P. N. ] Players must be physically present [ and seated at the poker table ] to play.

[ Q. During a poker tournament, all game managers, tournament managers, charitable host representatives, dealers, and all other game workers shall wear a badge that includes:

1. A recent photo of the person;

2. The first and last name of the person;

3. The name of the qualified organization or operator; and

4. The date the badge was issued to the person. ]

11VAC20-30-100. Tournament play.

A. All persons participating as a player in a poker tournament shall be 18 years of age or older.

B. Prior to a poker tournament, a qualified organization must establish the fixed fee that a player must pay in order to enter the poker tournament. The qualified organization must post or advertise the fixed entry fee for the poker tournament and the number of tournament chips received for that entry fee.

C. The qualified organization shall ensure a poker game meets the definition of Texas Hold'em poker game as stated in § 18.2-340.16 of the Code of Virginia.

D. The game manager, charitable host representative, dealer, volunteer game workers, or operator's employees, independent contractors, volunteers, or agents shall not:

1. Allow any wagering in any manner not set forth in this chapter;

2. Accept any direct or indirect tip or gratuity; or

3. Consume alcoholic beverages during the tournament.

E. The dealer shall only be responsible for dealing playing cards and handling tournament chips at the poker table during the poker tournament. The dealer shall not be assigned any other duties or responsibilities not directly related to dealing playing cards or handling tournament chips.

F. The following resources shall be used during a poker tournament:

1. A live dealer;

2. Physical playing cards;

3. Physical tournament chips; and

4. Tables large enough to ensure that players may examine their cards without disclosing the card value to other players. No single table shall have more than 11 players.

G. [ Re-buys Add-ons ] may be allowed at preannounced times within the first three hours of tournament play or until the first break (consolidation or balancing of tables) of the tournament, whichever occurs first. These [ re-buys add-ons ] must occur at established times that are posted in the tournament rules prior to the beginning of the tournament. [ A re-buy An add-on ] must contain the predetermined number of poker chips established in the tournament rules. [ Re-buys Add-ons ] may only occur before a player has lost all of his poker chips and may only bring the player up to the original amount of poker chips provided at the beginning of the tournament. A player who has lost all of his poker chips may not [ re-buy add-on ] and is eliminated from the tournament.

H. [ Re-buys are prohibited.

I. ] No individual who is participating in the management, operation, or conduct of a poker tournament shall provide any information or engage in any conduct that alters or is intended to alter the outcome of any poker tournament.

[ I. J. ] Tournament chips.

1. [ All tournament chips used in a poker tournament must be purchased from a charitable gaming supplier permitted pursuant to § 18.2-340.34 of the Code of Virginia.

2. ] All poker tournaments shall be conducted using tournament chips approved by the department. The tournament chips shall bear the following:

a. The name, logo, or other identification of the charitable organization or operator issuing the tournament chip;

b. The word "Tournament;"

c. The tournament value of the poker chip. No monetary word or symbol, such as dollars ($) or cents (¢), shall be used on any poker chip; and

d. The phrase "No Cash Value."

[ 3. 2. ] A qualified organization or its operator shall store tournament chips in a secure area.

[ 4. 3. ] A qualified organization or its operator shall conduct an inventory of all tournament chips and include on a poker tournament reconciliation form prescribed or approved by the department any discrepancy in the inventory and shall include the balance for each tournament value of the poker chip on hand at the beginning of each tournament and the balance on hand at the end of each tournament.

[ 5. 4. ] Tournament chips are to be used in the play of the poker tournament and shall not be redeemed for cash or any other thing of value. A qualified organization or its operator shall not accept tournament chips as payment for any goods or services and shall not use tournament chips in any other transaction.

[ 6. 5. ] No person is permitted to sell or exchange a tournament chip for currency with another player, the operator, the qualified organization, or any other person or entity.

[ J. K. ] Playing cards.

1. [ All playing cards used in a poker tournament must be purchased from or provided by a charitable gaming supplier permitted pursuant to § 18.2-340.34 of the Code of Virginia.

2. ] The qualified organization or its operator shall conduct an inventory of all boxes containing decks of playing cards at the beginning of each tournament and at the end of each tournament to ensure that the boxes of cards are intact, unbroken, and free from alteration or tampering.

[ 3. 2. ] Decks of cards shall be stored in a secure location that minimizes alteration or tampering.

[ 4. 3. ] The dealer shall verify that all cards are present in the deck and visually inspect the backs of the cards for any defects that might compromise the integrity or fairness of the poker game and shall offer an opportunity for each player at the dealer's table to visually inspect the cards. The game manager or [ charitable host representative tournament manager ] shall remove any deck of cards that is missing a card or contains damaged or altered cards or other card flaws that would affect the integrity of the poker game. Any deck found to be defective or missing a card or to contain damaged or altered cards or other card flaws shall be made unplayable.

[ 5. 4. ] Unless the Poker Tournament Directors Association rules differ, the ranking of hands, from highest to lowest, shall be as follows:

a. Royal flush;

b. Straight flush;

c. Four of a kind;

d. Full house;

e. Flush;

f. Straight;

g. Three of a kind;

h. Two pairs;

i. One pair; and

j. High card.

[ K. L. ] The order of finish for a poker tournament shall be determined by one of the following methods only:

1. If play continues until all but one player is eliminated before the predetermined end time, the order of finish shall be the order of elimination from last to first. The last remaining player shall be declared the winner; or

2. If play stops at the predetermined end time, the order of finish shall be determined by the ranking value of the tournament chips held by each player at the end of play from highest to lowest. The player with the highest value of tournament chips shall be declared the winner.

[ L. M. ] The following restrictions apply to method of play:

1. Wild cards are prohibited;

2. Hi/Lo games are prohibited;

3. Rakes or cutting of pots is prohibited;

4. A player shall only bet on his hand in a poker game;

5. A players is prohibited from exchanging information concerning his hand;

6. A players who folds from the poker game of play shall not reveal his pocket cards; and

7. No player may play more than one hand during a poker game.

[ M. N. ] A qualified organization shall prominently display its charitable gaming permit during the poker tournament, and if the qualified organization uses an operator to administer its poker tournament, the qualified organization shall also prominently display the operator's registration.

[ N. O. ] The qualified organization shall prominently display the department's poster advising the public of a telephone number where complaints relating to the poker tournament may be made. Such posters shall be in a format prescribed by the department, as required by 11VAC20-20-610.

[ O. P. ] The qualified organization shall prominently display a poster that bears a toll-free telephone number for "Gamblers Anonymous" or another organization that provides assistance to compulsive gamblers.

[ P. The qualified organization shall prominently display any house rules that shall govern the poker tournament beyond the official rules for poker tournaments established by the Poker Tournament Directors Association. Any house rules shall be consistent with the Charitable Gaming Law, this chapter, and the official rules for poker tournaments established by the Poker Tournament Directors Association. ]

Q. The qualified organization shall ensure all mechanical poker equipment is fully functional and maintains the integrity of the poker tournament prior to, during, and after the poker tournament. Any mechanical poker equipment that is not fully functional or that does not maintain the integrity of the poker tournament shall be removed immediately from the poker tournament by the qualified organization.

R. [ A qualified organization shall not manage, operate, or conduct its poker tournament or have its poker tournament administered by an operator on a premises where gambling or gaming activities occur, unless such activities are authorized by the Charitable Gaming Law or regulations adopted pursuant thereto; Chapter 40 (§ 58.1-4000 et seq.) or Chapter 41 (§ 58.1-4100 et seq.) of Title 58.1 of the Code of Virginia; or Chapter 29 (§ 59.1-364 et seq.) of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia.

S. ] Only a qualified organization or a permitted charitable gaming supplier shall advertise a poker tournament. Any printed advertisement is permitted, provided the name of the qualified organization shall be in a type size equal to or larger than the name of the premises used for the poker tournament, name of the operator, or any word referring to the poker tournament.

[ T. S. ] A game manager or, if a qualified organization uses an operator to administer its poker tournament, the charitable host representative shall ensure any tournament chips, playing cards, or mechanical poker equipment used to conduct the poker tournament are not counterfeit or tampered with or do not otherwise affect the integrity of the poker tournament prior to, during, and after the poker tournament. Any tournament chips, playing cards, or mechanical equipment found to be counterfeit or tampered with shall be removed immediately from the poker tournament. Such incidents shall be reported by the qualified organization or jointly by the qualified organization and operator to the department.

[ T. A person managing, operating, conducting, or administering a poker tournament at the premises at which another poker tournament is or will be conducted or administered within the same 24-hour period shall ensure that:

1. The start time of the poker tournament is at least two hours before or after the start time of the other poker tournament that is or will be conducted or administered at the premises;

2. The poker tournament has an entry fee that is separate from the entry fee for the other poker tournament that is or will be conducted or administered at the premises;

3. The tournament chips used for the poker tournament are visually distinct from the tournament chips used in the other poker tournament that is or will be conducted or administered at the premises;

4. Each table that is used in the poker tournament bears a sign that distinguishes it from those tables that are used in the other poker tournament that is or will be conducted or administered at the premises;

5. No player plays in more than one poker tournament that is conducted or administered at the premises at a time; and

6. No player plays at more than one table at a time.

U. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection T of this section, a person shall not at the same premises and in the same 24-hour period in which the start times of two poker tournaments have already occurred manage, operate, conduct, or administer a poker tournament at that premises. No owner of a premises at which a poker tournament is conducted or administered shall allow the management, operation, conduct, or administration of more than two poker tournaments at that premises in a 24-hour period. For the purpose of this subsection and subsection T of this section, a 24-hour period begins at the start time of the first of two poker tournaments conducted or administered at a premises. ]

11VAC20-30-110. Charitable gaming supplies; approval of mechanical card shuffler and dealer shoes and other mechanical equipment.

A. All charitable gaming supplies, including cards, tournament chips, and mechanical equipment, shall be purchased from or provided by a charitable gaming supplier permitted pursuant to § 18.2-340.34 of the Code of Virginia.

B. Mechanical equipment may be used to conduct poker games or tournaments, provided that such equipment is preapproved by the department in accordance with and subject to this section and technical standards adopted by the department.

C. The department shall set testing criteria for all mechanical card shufflers and dealer shoes and other mechanical equipment used during a poker tournament. A mechanical card shuffler and dealer shoe or other mechanical equipment used during a poker tournament shall not be sold, leased, or otherwise furnished to any person in the Commonwealth for use during a poker tournament until an identical sample mechanical card shuffler and dealer shoe or equipment containing identical software has been certified by a testing facility that has been formally recognized by the department as a testing facility that upholds the standards of integrity established by the department. The testing facility must certify that the mechanical card shuffler and dealer shoe, other mechanical equipment, associated hardware, and associated software conform, at a minimum, to the requirements of this chapter. Once the testing facility reports the test results to the department, the department will either approve or reject the mechanical card shuffler and dealer shoe or other mechanical equipment and inform the manufacturer of the results. If any such approved system or equipment fails to meet the department's criteria, that system or equipment shall be recalled and shall not be distributed in the Commonwealth. The cost of testing shall be borne by the manufacturer of such equipment.

D. Notwithstanding any other testing criteria established by the department, the mechanical card shuffler and dealer shoe shall be tested to the standards established in GLI 29: Card Shufflers and Dealer Shoes, Version 1.0, produced by Gaming Laboratories International.

11VAC20-30-120. Rules of play.

All persons conducting, managing, operating, or administering a poker tournament shall adhere to the official rules of the Poker Tournament Directors Association.

11VAC20-30-130. Requirements regarding renting premises, agreements, and landlord participation.

A. [ A qualified organization shall not rent or use any leased premises to hold a poker tournament unless all terms for rental or use are set forth in a written contract provided to the department prior to the issuance of a permit to conduct the poker tournament.

B. ] A person who rents, leases, or otherwise provides a premises to a qualified organization to hold a poker tournament shall obtain a landlord registration from the department. A landlord shall obtain a landlord registration regardless of whether the landlord charges or intends to charge a rental fee for providing a premises to a qualified organization.

[ C. B. ] All persons who rent, lease, or otherwise provide a premises to a qualified organization to hold a poker tournament shall apply to the department for a landlord registration on a form prescribed by the department. The application for a landlord registration shall include:

1. The names of all owners, directors, and partners; and

2. All current rental agreements between the landlord and a qualified organization.

[ D. C. ] A landlord registration shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance or for the period specified on the registration. The department may issue a registration for a period of less than one year. If any information on the registration application changes or is found to be inaccurate, the applicant shall notify the department and provide the updated or corrected information within three business days of the change or the discovery of the inaccuracy.

[ E. D. ] A [ qualified organization shall ensure that the ] landlord [ ,; ] the landlord's agents [ , or; ] the landlord's employees [ ; ] or an immediate family member or person residing in the household of such landlord, agent, or employee shall not directly or indirectly make a loan to [ a the ] qualified organization [ ,; ] a member of [ a the ] qualified organization [ ,; ] a person affiliated or associated with [ a the ] qualified organization [ ,; ] an operator [ ,; ] a [ charitable gaming ] supplier [ of poker supplies,; ] or an immediate family member or person residing in the household of a member of [ a the ] qualified organization, a person affiliated or associated with [ a the ] qualified organization, an operator, or a [ charitable gaming ] supplier [ of poker supplies ]. [ For the purpose of this subsection, a "loan" is a loan that the landlord; the landlord's agents; the landlord's employees; or an immediate family member or person residing in the household of such landlord, agent, or employee makes (i) during the qualified organization's contract with the landlord or (ii) within the three years preceding the effective date of that contract. For the purpose of this subsection, a "loan" is a loan on which the qualified organization; member of the qualified organization; person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization; or immediate family members or persons residing in the household of a member of the qualified organization or of a person affiliated or associated with the qualified organization maintains an outstanding balance during the qualified organization's contract with the landlord. ]

[ F. E. ] A [ qualified organization shall ensure that the ] landlord [ ,; ] the landlord's agents [ ,; ] the landlord's employees [ ,; ] or the immediate family members or persons residing in the household of such landlord, agent, or employee shall not directly or indirectly make any payment to [ a the ] qualified organization [ ,; ] a member of [ a the ] qualified organization [ ,; ] a person affiliated or associated with [ a the ] qualified organization [ ,; ] an operator [ ,; ] a charitable gaming supplier [ ,; ] or an immediate family member or person residing in the household of a member of [ a the ] qualified organization, a person affiliated or associated with [ a the ] qualified organization, an operator, or a charitable gaming supplier.

[ G. F. ] A [ qualified organization shall ensure that the ] landlord [ ,; ] its agent [ , or; ] its employees [ ; ] or the immediate family members or persons residing in the household of such landlord, agent, or employee shall not:

1. Participate in the management, operation, conduct, or administration of [ any the qualified organization's ] poker tournament [ that is ] operated, conducted, or administered on the landlord's premises;

2. Sell, lease, or otherwise provide any charitable gaming supplies, including playing cards, poker chips, or other game pieces, for use during [ a the qualified organization's ] poker tournament [ that is ] operated, conducted, or administered on the landlord's premises;

3. Require as a condition of the lease that [ a the ] qualified organization use a particular charitable gaming supplier or operator; or

4. Provide, advise, or direct [ a the ] qualified organization or operator to use a particular person to manage, operate, conduct, or administer [ a the qualified organization's ] poker tournament that is to be held in the landlord's premises.

[ H. G. ] A member of a qualified organization who participates in the management, operation, or conduct of a poker tournament shall not provide services to a landlord or be remunerated in any manner by the landlord of the premises that the qualified organization uses to manage, operate, or conduct its poker tournament.

[ I. H. ] A qualified organization shall only lease a premises by means of a fixed rental payment. The fixed rental payment shall reflect the current fair market rental value of the property and shall not be based upon or determined by a percentage of the proceeds derived from the operation of the poker tournament or to the number of people in attendance at such tournament.

[ J. No I. The qualified organization shall ensure that no ] contract for the rental or leasing of a premises for a poker tournament shall be contingent upon the qualified organization's agreement that it will contract with a particular business for a particular premises, equipment, or service. [ A The qualified organization shall prohibit the ] landlord, owner, lessor, or lessee of [ a the ] premises where [ a the ] poker tournament is being played [ is prohibited ] from serving in any capacity with [ any the ] qualified organization that is leasing from such landlord, owner, lessor, or lessee.

[ K. J. ] A charitable gaming supplier is ineligible for a landlord registration [ issued pursuant to the Charitable Gaming Law and this chapter ].

[ L. K. ] A landlord shall provide to the department the records [ related to the landlord's lease with a qualified organization ], including financial records, that the department deems necessary to complete an inspection, audit, or investigation. The department shall provide written receipt of such records at the time the landlord provides requested records to the department. The department may suspend or revoke the registration of a landlord who refuses to provide the requested record.

[ M. L. ] If the department determines [ through inspection, audit, or other means ] that a landlord is not in compliance with a provision of the Charitable Gaming Law or regulations adopted pursuant thereto, the department may deny, suspend, or revoke the landlord’s registration.

[ M. A qualified organization shall not lease the premises of any landlord that has contracted with the qualified organization to administer the qualified organization's poker tournament as an operator. ]

11VAC20-30-140. Bank accounts.

An organization that will conduct a poker tournament is subject to the provisions of 11VAC20-20-80 regarding bank accounts.

11VAC20-30-150. Recordkeeping.

An organization that will conduct a poker tournament is subject to the provisions of 11VAC20-20-90 regarding recordkeeping.

11VAC20-30-160. Financial reporting, penalties, inspections, and audits.

An organization that will conduct a poker tournament is subject to the provisions of 11VAC20-20-100 regarding financial reporting, penalties, inspections, and audits.

11VAC20-30-170. Use of proceeds.

An organization that will conduct a poker tournament is subject to the provisions of 11VAC20-20-110 regarding use of proceeds.

11VAC20-30-180. Requirements regarding contracts.

A. If a qualified organization elects to use an operator to administer its poker tournament, then it shall obtain a written contract with the operator.

B. A written contract between a qualified organization and an operator shall identify the conditions and cost for the operator to administer a poker tournament for the qualified organization. This written contract shall:

1. Require the operator to register with the department and comply with the requirements established in 11VAC20-30-50.

2. Require the operator to report to the qualified organization and the department within 20 days if there is any action taken against any valid license, permit, certificate, registration, or other similar documents related to gambling held by the operator in any state, territory, a possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any political subdivision thereof.

3. Require the operator to report to the qualified organization and the department within 20 days if the operator fails to file or has been delinquent in excess of one year in the filing of any tax returns or the payment of any taxes due the Commonwealth or has failed to establish a registered office or registered agent in the Commonwealth if so required by § 13.1-634 or 13.1-763 of the Code of Virginia.

4. Require the operator to provide the qualified organization and the department with access to the operator's financial record for each poker tournament administered on the qualified organization's behalf for a minimum of the previous three fiscal years and, if necessary, to provide the qualified organization with copies or the department with the originals of these records or any other records deemed necessary to complete an inspection, audit, or investigation without hindrance from the operator. The department shall provide a written receipt for the originals of the records at the time of collection.

5. Require the operator to provide the qualified organization with a copy of a detailed invoice for each poker tournament that the operator administers on behalf of the qualified organization. The invoice shall include the information required 11VAC20-30-60 K.

6. Require the operator to retain all bank account records, including monthly bank statements, canceled checks or facsimiles thereof, and reconciliations for a minimum of three years following the close of a fiscal year.

7. Require the operator to display prominently its operator's registration during each poker tournament the operator administers on the qualified organization's behalf.

8. Require the operator to comply with any restrictions or additional recordkeeping and financial reporting requirements imposed upon the qualified organization by the department due to deficiencies identified through inspection, audit, or other means.

9. Require the operator to pay all expenses other than prizes that the operator incurs in the administration of the tournament by check or electronic fund transfer directly from its bank account.

10. Specify the duration of the written contract period and the termination rights for the qualified organization and operator.

11. Specify the terms of any arrangement agreed upon by the qualified organization and the operator regarding the deposit of the receipts received by an operator due to the operator's administering of a poker tournament for a qualified organization through an electronic fund transfer into the qualified organization's charitable gaming bank account. A written agreement specifying the terms of this arrangement shall be required prior to any electronic fund transfer occurring between the two parties.

12. Require the tournament manager to be physically present at all times during a poker tournament the operator is administering.

C. A qualified organization shall only contract with an operator that adheres to the provisions of the Charitable Gaming Law and this chapter.

[ D. An organization shall provide a copy of all written contracts between the organization and the operator to the department upon application for a permit or upon the entering into any contract with an operator following the submission of an application or receipt of a permit. ]

11VAC20-30-190. Charitable gaming suppliers.

A supplier of charitable gaming supplies used during a poker tournament is subject to the provisions of 11VAC20-20-130.

11VAC20-30-200. Procedural rules for informal fact-finding conferences and hearings.

A person who manages, operates, conducts, or administers a poker tournament or a landlord is subject to the provisions of 11VAC20-20-600 regarding procedural rules for informal fact-finding conferences and hearings.

11VAC20-30-210. Reporting violations.

A person who manages, operates, conducts, or administers a poker tournament or a landlord is subject to the provisions of 11VAC20-20-610 regarding reporting violations.

FORMS (11VAC20-30)

Annual Financial Report, Form 101 (rev. MM/YYYY)

Charitable Gaming Permit Application – New Applicants, Form 201-N (rev. MM/YYYY)

Charitable Gaming Permit Application – Renewal Applicants, Form 201-R (rev. MM/YYYY)

Destruction of Unused Charitable Gaming Supplies, Form 112 (rev. MM/YYYY)

Landlord Registration, Form 501 (eff. MM/YYYY)

Permit Amendment, Form 202 (rev. MM/YYYY)

Quarterly Financial Report Form, Form 102 (rev. MM/YYYY)

Report of Game Termination, Form 0 (rev. MM/YYYY)

Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament Operator Registration Application, Form 307 (eff. MM/YYYY)

Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament Operator Registration – Personal Information Form, Form 307a (eff. MM/YYYY)

Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament Reconciliation Summary, Form 114 (eff. MM/YYYY)

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (11VAC20-30)

GLI-29: Card Shufflers and Dealer Shoes, Gaming Laboratories International, LLC, Version 1.0, July 2012, www.gaminglabs.com

Poker Tournament Directors Association Rules Poker Tournament Directors Association, 2019, September 17, 2019, https://www.pokertda.com