Sec. 36.05.02.03. Value Chips

A. A facility operator may issue and use value chips in denominations of $1, $2, $2.50, $5, $20, $25, $100, $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, $25,000, and other denominations approved in advance by the Commission under COMAR 36.05.03.16.

B. A primary color may not be used as a secondary color on a value chip of another denomination if its use on the edge is reasonably likely to cause confusion as to the chip’s denomination when the edge alone is visible.

C. A manufacturer shall submit sample color disks to the Commission that identify all primary and secondary colors to be used for the manufacture of value chips for facility operators in Maryland.

D. The Commission may not approve a primary color for use in a value chip unless it visually appears, when viewed in daylight or incandescent light, as the following colors for these denominations:

(1) $1, white;

(2) $2, blue;

(3) $2.50, pink;

(4) $5, red;

(5) $20, yellow;

(6) $25, green;

(7) $100, black;

(8) $500, purple;

(9) $1,000, fire orange;

(10) $5,000, brown;

(11) $10,000, silver; and

(12) $25,000, gold.

E. After the Commission has approved a manufacturer’s primary or secondary color for a gaming chip, the color shall be consistently manufactured in accordance with the approved sample color disk.

F. At least once on any location of each face of a value chip, a value chip issued by a facility operator must contain identifying characteristics that are applied in a manner ensuring that each identifying characteristic is clearly visible and remains a permanent part of the value chip.

G. The identifying characteristics required under §F of this regulation shall be visible to surveillance employees using the licensed facility’s surveillance system, and include:

(1) The denomination of the value chip, expressed in numbers;

(2) The name, logo or other Commission-approved identification of the facility operator issuing the value chip; and

(3) The letters “MD” and the name of the city or county in which the licensed facility is located.

H. In addition to the characteristics specified in §G of this regulation, a value chip in a denomination of $100 or more must contain a design or other identifying characteristic that is unique to the gaming chip manufacturer.

I. After the Commission approves a manufacturer’s value chip design or characteristic under COMAR 36.05.03.16:

(1) The manufacturer has the exclusive right to use that design or characteristic on any denomination of value chip;

(2) The approved unique design or characteristic:

(a) May be used on all value chips manufactured for use in Maryland; and

(b) May be changed only after receiving the Commission’s written approval of a new unique design or other identifying characteristic under COMAR 36.05.03.16.

J. Each value chip issued by a facility operator must contain an edge spot that:

(1) Is applied in a manner that ensures the edge spot:

(a) Is clearly visible on the edge and on each face of the value chip; and

(b) Remains a permanent part of the value chip; and

(2) Is created using both:

(a) The primary color of the chip; and

(b) One or more secondary colors; and

(3) Includes a design, pattern, or other feature that an individual may use to identify, through the facility’s surveillance system, the denomination of a particular value chip that is in:

(a) A stack of gaming chips;

(b) The table inventory; or

(c) Any other location when only the edge of the value chip is visible.

K. A facility operator shall use as a secondary color to make an edge spot on a particular denomination of value chip only a secondary color that is reasonably likely to differentiate the facility operator’s value chip from the same denomination of value chip issued by any other facility operator in the State.

L. If an approved value chip uses a single secondary color, no other facility operator may use a similar secondary color as the sole secondary color on the same denomination of value chip unless it is used in a different pattern or design approved by the Commission.

M. A facility operator may not use the identical combination of secondary colors on the same denomination of value chip unless it is used in a different pattern or design approved by the Commission.

N. A value chip issued by a facility operator is limited to a specific size for each denomination:

(1) Less than $500 must have a uniform diameter of 1-9/16 inch;

(2) $500 and $1,000 must have a uniform diameter of 1-9/16 inch or 1-11/16 inch; and

(3) $5,000 or more must have a uniform diameter of 1-11/16 inch.

O. In addition to the features that are required under this regulation to appear on the face and edge of a value chip:

(1) Each value chip with a denomination below $100 must contain at least one anti-counterfeiting measure; and

(2) Each value chip with a denomination of $100 or more must contain at least two anti-counterfeiting measures.