Sec. 36.03.10.28. Counter Check Substitution, Consolidation, and Redemption

A. A player to whom a counter check has been issued by a facility operator may use a personal check meeting the requirements of §B of this regulation to:

(1) Substitute for a counter check which has not been deposited by the facility operator;

(2) Consolidate two or more counter checks which have not been deposited by the facility operator; and

(3) Redeem, partially or in full, a counter check which has not been deposited by a facility operator.

B. A personal check accepted by a facility operator in a substitution, consolidation, or redemption transaction shall:

(1) Be drawn on an account which has been verified in accordance with Regulation .25 of this chapter;

(2) Except as provided in §C of this regulation, comply with the requirements of Regulation .20 of this chapter; and

(3) Be redeemed or deposited in accordance with Regulation .29 of this chapter.

C. If a personal check is accepted in an amount less than or equal to the amount of a counter check being partially or fully redeemed, the $25,000 limitation on acceptance of personal checks in Regulation .20F(2) of this chapter does not apply.

D. A player who has issued a replacement check to a facility operator may present another replacement check in a substitution, consolidation, or partial redemption transaction involving the original replacement check.

E. A replacement check accepted by a facility operator in a substitution, consolidation, or partial redemption transaction shall be:

(1) Dated with the date of the initial counter check being substituted, consolidated, or partially redeemed; or

(2) If the check is subject to Commission-approved internal controls which ensure that the date of the initial counter check being substituted, consolidated, or partially redeemed is used to determine the date on which the replacement check is deposited under Regulation .29 of this chapter, currently dated.

F. A facility operator may not accept a replacement check in substitution, consolidation, or partial redemption for the purpose of avoiding or delaying the deposit requirements for a counter check or replacement check under Regulation .29 of this chapter.

G. If a player has more than one counter check or replacement check which has not been deposited, the most recently dated check shall be redeemed first, except that:

(1) If more than one check bears the same date, the player may choose the order in which to redeem the checks;

(2) If, pursuant to Commission-approved internal controls, a facility operator does not require a replacement check used in a substitution, consolidation, or partial redemption transaction to be dated with the date of the initial counter check being substituted, consolidated, or partially redeemed, then the date of the initial counter check and not the date of the replacement check shall be used to determine the order in which outstanding checks are redeemed; and

(3) If a facility operator receives a check through the mail or by other means approved by the Commission and the player requests that it be applied to a transaction having an earlier redemption date, the facility operator may apply the check according to the player’s request.

H. A facility operator may conduct a substitution, consolidation, and full or partial redemption transaction:

(1) At the cashiers’ cage during the hours of operation approved by the Commission for the facility under COMAR 36.03.11.02;

(2) By mail;

(3) At an off-site customer service location; or

(4) In a table game pit.

I. A facility operator shall develop and include in the internal controls submitted to and approved under Regulation .05 of this chapter procedures and controls addressing the substitution, consolidation, and full or partial redemption of a counter check.

J. A facility operator may allow a player to redeem a counter check at a gaming table in exchange for gaming chips.

K. A facility operator’s internal controls for redeeming a counter check at a gaming table shall include:

(1) A requirement that a redemption occur:

(a) On the same gaming day the counter check is issued; and

(b) In the same gaming pit where the counter check was issued and held for pit redemption;

(2) A requirement that a general cashier or casino clerk:

(a) Remove the original and all duplicate copies of the counter check from its secured location in the pit;

(b) Prepare a two-part serially prenumbered pit redemption form in accordance with this regulation; and

(c) Present the pit redemption form and the original and all duplicate copies of the counter check to the dealer or boxperson, in the presence of a floorperson or above;

(3) Procedures and controls over the counter check redemption process which require:

(a) A dealer or boxperson to verify that the amount of chips received from the player agrees with the amount of the original counter check and the pit redemption form;

(b) The dealer or boxperson to place the gaming chips from the player into the table inventory;

(c) The dealer or boxperson, and the floorperson to sign the pit redemption form;

(d) The dealer or boxperson to deposit the original of the pit redemption form in the drop box;

(e) The floorperson to return the original counter check to the player;

(f) The floorperson to return the duplicate copies of the counter check and the duplicate copy of the pit redemption form to the general cashier or casino clerk;

(g) The general cashier or casino clerk to forward the duplicate copies of the counter check to the check bank for processing; and

(h) The cashiers’ cage to forward the duplicate copy of the pit redemption form to the casino accounting department at the end of the gaming day; and

(4) A requirement that the general cashier or casino clerk record the following information on a two-part serially prenumbered pit redemption form residing in a book, wiz machine, or functional equivalent:

(a) The date and time of redemption;

(b) The identification number of the table game;

(c) The player's name;

(d) The counter check number and amount;

(e) The signature of the general cashier or casino clerk;

(f) The signature of the table game dealer or boxperson; and

(g) The signature of the floorperson or above.

L. Electronic Credit System.

(1) A facility operator may use an electronic credit system approved by the Commission to process electronic counter check transactions.

(2) The facility operator may access the player’s file in the electronic credit system using a portable device or other method approved by the Commission.

(3) The electronic credit system shall be capable of maintaining independently, or in conjunction with another computer system, as approved by the Commission:

(a) A digital photograph and signature of the player;

(b) Encrypted employee and player personal identification numbers;

(c) For each player account and transaction, the information required to be recorded by §§B and E of this regulation;

(d) A record of each electronic transaction, printable in the check bank, which shall include at least:

(i) Date and time;

(ii) Transaction type;

(iii) Document number;

(iv) Location;

(v) Player name and account number; and

(vi) Amount;

(e) A record of each electronic transaction for which the player has successfully entered the player’s personal identification number and digital signature in the system;

(f) A record of voided transactions and the reason for the void; and

(g) Any other information the Commission requests.