Sec. 36.04.01.05. Abbreviated Testing and Certification

A. Except with regard to the Commission’s central monitor and control system, a manufacturer may, during the period specified in Regulation .02G of this chapter, seek Commission approval of a prototype or proposed modification under an abbreviated testing and certification process for any equipment, system, or software required to be tested and certified under Regulation .02E of this chapter.

B. A manufacturer shall submit the equipment, system or software to an independent certified testing laboratory.

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

(1) A request for abbreviated testing and certification under this regulation naming the state within the United States on whose regulations and technical standards the manufacturer proposes the Commission rely;

(2) A prototype of the equipment, system, or software identical in all mechanical, electrical, electronic, and other respects to that for which Commission approval is sought;

(3) A certification signed by the chief engineer of the manufacturer, or the engineer in charge of the division of the manufacturer responsible for producing the equipment or system submitted, representing that:

(a) The prototype or proposed modification is identical in all mechanical, electrical, electronic and other respects to one which has been tested and certified by:

(i) A testing laboratory operated by the named state; or

(ii) An independent certified testing laboratory on behalf of the named state;

(b) The manufacturer is licensed in good standing in the named state;

(c) The submitted equipment, system, or software has all regulatory approvals prerequisite to sale, lease, or distribution in the named state;

(d) The testing standards of the named state are comprehensive, thorough and involve substantially similar technical requirements and safeguards as those required by:

(i) State Government Article, §9-1A, Annotated Code of Maryland, and this subtitle; and

(ii) The technical standards enumerated in any Request for Proposals issued by the Commission pertaining to the equipment, system, or software, as amended or clarified; and

(e) The manufacturer has fully disclosed any conditions or limitations placed by the named state on the operation or placement of the equipment, system, or software:

(i) At the time of approval; or

(ii) Subsequent to approval;

(4) Copies of the submission package, and any amendments thereto, filed in the named state including any:

(a) Checklists;

(b) Correspondence, review letters or certification letters issued by:

(i) The testing laboratory operated by the named state; or

(ii) An independent certified testing laboratory on behalf of the named state; and

(c) Final approval letter issued by the named state;

(5) If applicable, a description of any interoperability testing conducted by the manufacturer, including test results identified by manufacturer, model and software identification and version number, for the submitted equipment or system’s connection to a:

(a) Video lottery terminal;

(b) Video lottery terminal data system;

(c) Casino management system;

(d) Gaming ticket system;

(e) Promotional play system;

(f) Player tracking system;

(g) Ticket redemption unit;

(h) Automated jackpot payout machine;

(i) External bonusing system;

(j) Cashless funds transfer system; and

(k) Progressive controller;

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

(a) Meter retrieval; and

(b) Video lottery terminal:

(i) Status; and

(ii) Activation and deactivation; and

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

(a) Any specialized hardware, software, or other equipment, inclusive of technical support and maintenance, required to conduct the testing and certification process; and

(b) Additional documentation pertaining to the equipment, system, or software being tested.

D. At the conclusion of testing of a prototype or modification, an independent certified testing laboratory conducting abbreviated testing and certification shall issue to the Commission a certification report in an:

(1) Electronic form; and

(2) Format acceptable to the Commission.

E. The certification report issued under §D of this regulation shall state:

(1) Whether the independent certified testing laboratory concurs with the manufacturer that the testing standards of the named state are comprehensive, thorough and involve substantially similar technical requirements and safeguards as those required by:

(a) State Government Article, §9-1A, Annotated Code of Maryland, and this subtitle; and

(b) The technical standards enumerated in any Request for Proposals issued by the Commission pertaining to the equipment, system, or software, as amended or clarified;

(2) Whether the documentation required by §C(3) of this regulation is complete;

(3) With respect to any deficiency noted relating to §E(1) or (2) of this regulation, the nature of the non-compliance; and

(4) The results of any supplemental testing performed, including interoperability testing with the central monitor and control system.

F. Upon receipt of a certification report from an independent certified testing laboratory, the Commission may act with regard to:

(1) Acceptance of the testing standards of the named state; and

(2) The specific equipment, system, or software by:

(a) Approving the prototype or modification, with or without specific conditions;

(b) Rejecting the prototype or modification;

(c) Requiring additional testing; or

(d) Requiring a trial period under this chapter.

G. Commission approval of a prototype or proposed modification does not constitute a guarantee of its safety or reliability.