Public Act 098-0582
 
SB2234 EnrolledLRB098 10418 AMC 40623 b

    AN ACT concerning gaming.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 3. The Riverboat Gambling Act is amended by
changing Section 5 as follows:
 
    (230 ILCS 10/5)  (from Ch. 120, par. 2405)
    Sec. 5. Gaming Board.
    (a) (1) There is hereby established the Illinois Gaming
Board, which shall have the powers and duties specified in this
Act, and all other powers necessary and proper to fully and
effectively execute this Act for the purpose of administering,
regulating, and enforcing the system of riverboat gambling
established by this Act. Its jurisdiction shall extend under
this Act to every person, association, corporation,
partnership and trust involved in riverboat gambling
operations in the State of Illinois.
    (2) The Board shall consist of 5 members to be appointed by
the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, one of
whom shall be designated by the Governor to be chairman. Each
member shall have a reasonable knowledge of the practice,
procedure and principles of gambling operations. Each member
shall either be a resident of Illinois or shall certify that he
will become a resident of Illinois before taking office. At
least one member shall be experienced in law enforcement and
criminal investigation, at least one member shall be a
certified public accountant experienced in accounting and
auditing, and at least one member shall be a lawyer licensed to
practice law in Illinois.
    (3) The terms of office of the Board members shall be 3
years, except that the terms of office of the initial Board
members appointed pursuant to this Act will commence from the
effective date of this Act and run as follows: one for a term
ending July 1, 1991, 2 for a term ending July 1, 1992, and 2 for
a term ending July 1, 1993. Upon the expiration of the
foregoing terms, the successors of such members shall serve a
term for 3 years and until their successors are appointed and
qualified for like terms. Vacancies in the Board shall be
filled for the unexpired term in like manner as original
appointments. Each member of the Board shall be eligible for
reappointment at the discretion of the Governor with the advice
and consent of the Senate.
    (4) Each member of the Board shall receive $300 for each
day the Board meets and for each day the member conducts any
hearing pursuant to this Act. Each member of the Board shall
also be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses and
disbursements incurred in the execution of official duties.
    (5) No person shall be appointed a member of the Board or
continue to be a member of the Board who is, or whose spouse,
child or parent is, a member of the board of directors of, or a
person financially interested in, any gambling operation
subject to the jurisdiction of this Board, or any race track,
race meeting, racing association or the operations thereof
subject to the jurisdiction of the Illinois Racing Board. No
Board member shall hold any other public office. No person
shall be a member of the Board who is not of good moral
character or who has been convicted of, or is under indictment
for, a felony under the laws of Illinois or any other state, or
the United States.
    (5.5) No member of the Board shall engage in any political
activity. For the purposes of this Section, "political" means
any activity in support of or in connection with any campaign
for federal, State, or local elective office or any political
organization, but does not include activities (i) relating to
the support or opposition of any executive, legislative, or
administrative action (as those terms are defined in Section 2
of the Lobbyist Registration Act), (ii) relating to collective
bargaining, or (iii) that are otherwise in furtherance of the
person's official State duties or governmental and public
service functions.
    (6) Any member of the Board may be removed by the Governor
for neglect of duty, misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance
in office or for engaging in any political activity.
    (7) Before entering upon the discharge of the duties of his
office, each member of the Board shall take an oath that he
will faithfully execute the duties of his office according to
the laws of the State and the rules and regulations adopted
therewith and shall give bond to the State of Illinois,
approved by the Governor, in the sum of $25,000. Every such
bond, when duly executed and approved, shall be recorded in the
office of the Secretary of State. Whenever the Governor
determines that the bond of any member of the Board has become
or is likely to become invalid or insufficient, he shall
require such member forthwith to renew his bond, which is to be
approved by the Governor. Any member of the Board who fails to
take oath and give bond within 30 days from the date of his
appointment, or who fails to renew his bond within 30 days
after it is demanded by the Governor, shall be guilty of
neglect of duty and may be removed by the Governor. The cost of
any bond given by any member of the Board under this Section
shall be taken to be a part of the necessary expenses of the
Board.
    (7.5) For the examination of all mechanical,
electromechanical, or electronic table games, slot machines,
slot accounting systems, and other electronic gaming equipment
for compliance with this Act, the Board may utilize the
services of one or more independent outside testing
laboratories that have been accredited by a national
accreditation body and that, in the judgment of the Board, are
qualified to perform such examinations.
    (8) The Board shall employ such personnel as may be
necessary to carry out its functions and shall determine the
salaries of all personnel, except those personnel whose
salaries are determined under the terms of a collective
bargaining agreement. No person shall be employed to serve the
Board who is, or whose spouse, parent or child is, an official
of, or has a financial interest in or financial relation with,
any operator engaged in gambling operations within this State
or any organization engaged in conducting horse racing within
this State. Any employee violating these prohibitions shall be
subject to termination of employment.
    (9) An Administrator shall perform any and all duties that
the Board shall assign him. The salary of the Administrator
shall be determined by the Board and, in addition, he shall be
reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses incurred by
him in discharge of his official duties. The Administrator
shall keep records of all proceedings of the Board and shall
preserve all records, books, documents and other papers
belonging to the Board or entrusted to its care. The
Administrator shall devote his full time to the duties of the
office and shall not hold any other office or employment.
    (b) The Board shall have general responsibility for the
implementation of this Act. Its duties include, without
limitation, the following:
        (1) To decide promptly and in reasonable order all
    license applications. Any party aggrieved by an action of
    the Board denying, suspending, revoking, restricting or
    refusing to renew a license may request a hearing before
    the Board. A request for a hearing must be made to the
    Board in writing within 5 days after service of notice of
    the action of the Board. Notice of the action of the Board
    shall be served either by personal delivery or by certified
    mail, postage prepaid, to the aggrieved party. Notice
    served by certified mail shall be deemed complete on the
    business day following the date of such mailing. The Board
    shall conduct all requested hearings promptly and in
    reasonable order;
        (2) To conduct all hearings pertaining to civil
    violations of this Act or rules and regulations promulgated
    hereunder;
        (3) To promulgate such rules and regulations as in its
    judgment may be necessary to protect or enhance the
    credibility and integrity of gambling operations
    authorized by this Act and the regulatory process
    hereunder;
        (4) To provide for the establishment and collection of
    all license and registration fees and taxes imposed by this
    Act and the rules and regulations issued pursuant hereto.
    All such fees and taxes shall be deposited into the State
    Gaming Fund;
        (5) To provide for the levy and collection of penalties
    and fines for the violation of provisions of this Act and
    the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder. All such
    fines and penalties shall be deposited into the Education
    Assistance Fund, created by Public Act 86-0018, of the
    State of Illinois;
        (6) To be present through its inspectors and agents any
    time gambling operations are conducted on any riverboat for
    the purpose of certifying the revenue thereof, receiving
    complaints from the public, and conducting such other
    investigations into the conduct of the gambling games and
    the maintenance of the equipment as from time to time the
    Board may deem necessary and proper;
        (7) To review and rule upon any complaint by a licensee
    regarding any investigative procedures of the State which
    are unnecessarily disruptive of gambling operations. The
    need to inspect and investigate shall be presumed at all
    times. The disruption of a licensee's operations shall be
    proved by clear and convincing evidence, and establish
    that: (A) the procedures had no reasonable law enforcement
    purposes, and (B) the procedures were so disruptive as to
    unreasonably inhibit gambling operations;
        (8) To hold at least one meeting each quarter of the
    fiscal year. In addition, special meetings may be called by
    the Chairman or any 2 Board members upon 72 hours written
    notice to each member. All Board meetings shall be subject
    to the Open Meetings Act. Three members of the Board shall
    constitute a quorum, and 3 votes shall be required for any
    final determination by the Board. The Board shall keep a
    complete and accurate record of all its meetings. A
    majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a
    quorum for the transaction of any business, for the
    performance of any duty, or for the exercise of any power
    which this Act requires the Board members to transact,
    perform or exercise en banc, except that, upon order of the
    Board, one of the Board members or an administrative law
    judge designated by the Board may conduct any hearing
    provided for under this Act or by Board rule and may
    recommend findings and decisions to the Board. The Board
    member or administrative law judge conducting such hearing
    shall have all powers and rights granted to the Board in
    this Act. The record made at the time of the hearing shall
    be reviewed by the Board, or a majority thereof, and the
    findings and decision of the majority of the Board shall
    constitute the order of the Board in such case;
        (9) To maintain records which are separate and distinct
    from the records of any other State board or commission.
    Such records shall be available for public inspection and
    shall accurately reflect all Board proceedings;
        (10) To file a written annual report with the Governor
    on or before March 1 each year and such additional reports
    as the Governor may request. The annual report shall
    include a statement of receipts and disbursements by the
    Board, actions taken by the Board, and any additional
    information and recommendations which the Board may deem
    valuable or which the Governor may request;
        (11) (Blank);
        (12) (Blank);
        (13) To assume responsibility for administration and
    enforcement of the Video Gaming Act; and
        (14) To adopt, by rule, a code of conduct governing
    Board members and employees that ensure, to the maximum
    extent possible, that persons subject to this Code avoid
    situations, relationships, or associations that may
    represent or lead to a conflict of interest.
    (c) The Board shall have jurisdiction over and shall
supervise all gambling operations governed by this Act. The
Board shall have all powers necessary and proper to fully and
effectively execute the provisions of this Act, including, but
not limited to, the following:
        (1) To investigate applicants and determine the
    eligibility of applicants for licenses and to select among
    competing applicants the applicants which best serve the
    interests of the citizens of Illinois.
        (2) To have jurisdiction and supervision over all
    riverboat gambling operations in this State and all persons
    on riverboats where gambling operations are conducted.
        (3) To promulgate rules and regulations for the purpose
    of administering the provisions of this Act and to
    prescribe rules, regulations and conditions under which
    all riverboat gambling in the State shall be conducted.
    Such rules and regulations are to provide for the
    prevention of practices detrimental to the public interest
    and for the best interests of riverboat gambling, including
    rules and regulations regarding the inspection of such
    riverboats and the review of any permits or licenses
    necessary to operate a riverboat under any laws or
    regulations applicable to riverboats, and to impose
    penalties for violations thereof.
        (4) To enter the office, riverboats, facilities, or
    other places of business of a licensee, where evidence of
    the compliance or noncompliance with the provisions of this
    Act is likely to be found.
        (5) To investigate alleged violations of this Act or
    the rules of the Board and to take appropriate disciplinary
    action against a licensee or a holder of an occupational
    license for a violation, or institute appropriate legal
    action for enforcement, or both.
        (6) To adopt standards for the licensing of all persons
    under this Act, as well as for electronic or mechanical
    gambling games, and to establish fees for such licenses.
        (7) To adopt appropriate standards for all riverboats
    and facilities.
        (8) To require that the records, including financial or
    other statements of any licensee under this Act, shall be
    kept in such manner as prescribed by the Board and that any
    such licensee involved in the ownership or management of
    gambling operations submit to the Board an annual balance
    sheet and profit and loss statement, list of the
    stockholders or other persons having a 1% or greater
    beneficial interest in the gambling activities of each
    licensee, and any other information the Board deems
    necessary in order to effectively administer this Act and
    all rules, regulations, orders and final decisions
    promulgated under this Act.
        (9) To conduct hearings, issue subpoenas for the
    attendance of witnesses and subpoenas duces tecum for the
    production of books, records and other pertinent documents
    in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure
    Act, and to administer oaths and affirmations to the
    witnesses, when, in the judgment of the Board, it is
    necessary to administer or enforce this Act or the Board
    rules.
        (10) To prescribe a form to be used by any licensee
    involved in the ownership or management of gambling
    operations as an application for employment for their
    employees.
        (11) To revoke or suspend licenses, as the Board may
    see fit and in compliance with applicable laws of the State
    regarding administrative procedures, and to review
    applications for the renewal of licenses. The Board may
    suspend an owners license, without notice or hearing upon a
    determination that the safety or health of patrons or
    employees is jeopardized by continuing a riverboat's
    operation. The suspension may remain in effect until the
    Board determines that the cause for suspension has been
    abated. The Board may revoke the owners license upon a
    determination that the owner has not made satisfactory
    progress toward abating the hazard.
        (12) To eject or exclude or authorize the ejection or
    exclusion of, any person from riverboat gambling
    facilities where such person is in violation of this Act,
    rules and regulations thereunder, or final orders of the
    Board, or where such person's conduct or reputation is such
    that his presence within the riverboat gambling facilities
    may, in the opinion of the Board, call into question the
    honesty and integrity of the gambling operations or
    interfere with orderly conduct thereof; provided that the
    propriety of such ejection or exclusion is subject to
    subsequent hearing by the Board.
        (13) To require all licensees of gambling operations to
    utilize a cashless wagering system whereby all players'
    money is converted to tokens, electronic cards, or chips
    which shall be used only for wagering in the gambling
    establishment.
        (14) (Blank).
        (15) To suspend, revoke or restrict licenses, to
    require the removal of a licensee or an employee of a
    licensee for a violation of this Act or a Board rule or for
    engaging in a fraudulent practice, and to impose civil
    penalties of up to $5,000 against individuals and up to
    $10,000 or an amount equal to the daily gross receipts,
    whichever is larger, against licensees for each violation
    of any provision of the Act, any rules adopted by the
    Board, any order of the Board or any other action which, in
    the Board's discretion, is a detriment or impediment to
    riverboat gambling operations.
        (16) To hire employees to gather information, conduct
    investigations and carry out any other tasks contemplated
    under this Act.
        (17) To establish minimum levels of insurance to be
    maintained by licensees.
        (18) To authorize a licensee to sell or serve alcoholic
    liquors, wine or beer as defined in the Liquor Control Act
    of 1934 on board a riverboat and to have exclusive
    authority to establish the hours for sale and consumption
    of alcoholic liquor on board a riverboat, notwithstanding
    any provision of the Liquor Control Act of 1934 or any
    local ordinance, and regardless of whether the riverboat
    makes excursions. The establishment of the hours for sale
    and consumption of alcoholic liquor on board a riverboat is
    an exclusive power and function of the State. A home rule
    unit may not establish the hours for sale and consumption
    of alcoholic liquor on board a riverboat. This amendatory
    Act of 1991 is a denial and limitation of home rule powers
    and functions under subsection (h) of Section 6 of Article
    VII of the Illinois Constitution.
        (19) After consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of
    Engineers, to establish binding emergency orders upon the
    concurrence of a majority of the members of the Board
    regarding the navigability of water, relative to
    excursions, in the event of extreme weather conditions,
    acts of God or other extreme circumstances.
        (20) To delegate the execution of any of its powers
    under this Act for the purpose of administering and
    enforcing this Act and its rules and regulations hereunder.
        (20.5) To approve any contract entered into on its
    behalf.
        (20.6) To appoint investigators to conduct
    investigations, searches, seizures, arrests, and other
    duties imposed under this Act, as deemed necessary by the
    Board. These investigators have and may exercise all of the
    rights and powers of peace officers, provided that these
    powers shall be limited to offenses or violations occurring
    or committed on a riverboat or dock, as defined in
    subsections (d) and (f) of Section 4, or as otherwise
    provided by this Act or any other law.
        (20.7) To contract with the Department of State Police
    for the use of trained and qualified State police officers
    and with the Department of Revenue for the use of trained
    and qualified Department of Revenue investigators to
    conduct investigations, searches, seizures, arrests, and
    other duties imposed under this Act and to exercise all of
    the rights and powers of peace officers, provided that the
    powers of Department of Revenue investigators under this
    subdivision (20.7) shall be limited to offenses or
    violations occurring or committed on a riverboat or dock,
    as defined in subsections (d) and (f) of Section 4, or as
    otherwise provided by this Act or any other law. In the
    event the Department of State Police or the Department of
    Revenue is unable to fill contracted police or
    investigative positions, the Board may appoint
    investigators to fill those positions pursuant to
    subdivision (20.6).
        (21) To take any other action as may be reasonable or
    appropriate to enforce this Act and rules and regulations
    hereunder.
    (d) The Board may seek and shall receive the cooperation of
the Department of State Police in conducting background
investigations of applicants and in fulfilling its
responsibilities under this Section. Costs incurred by the
Department of State Police as a result of such cooperation
shall be paid by the Board in conformance with the requirements
of Section 2605-400 of the Department of State Police Law (20
ILCS 2605/2605-400).
    (e) The Board must authorize to each investigator and to
any other employee of the Board exercising the powers of a
peace officer a distinct badge that, on its face, (i) clearly
states that the badge is authorized by the Board and (ii)
contains a unique identifying number. No other badge shall be
authorized by the Board.
(Source: P.A. 96-34, eff. 7-13-09; 96-37, eff. 7-13-09;
96-1000, eff. 7-2-10; 96-1392, eff. 1-1-11.)
 
    Section 5. The Video Gaming Act is amended by changing
Section 5 as follows:
 
    (230 ILCS 40/5)
    Sec. 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
    "Board" means the Illinois Gaming Board.
    "Credit" means one, 5, 10, or 25 cents either won or
purchased by a player.
    "Distributor" means an individual, partnership,
corporation, or limited liability company licensed under this
Act to buy, sell, lease, or distribute video gaming terminals
or major components or parts of video gaming terminals to or
from terminal operators.
    "Electronic voucher" means a voucher printed by an
electronic video game machine that is redeemable in the
licensed establishment for which it was issued.
    "Terminal operator" means an individual, partnership,
corporation, or limited liability company that is licensed
under this Act and that owns, services, and maintains video
gaming terminals for placement in licensed establishments,
licensed truck stop establishments, licensed fraternal
establishments, or licensed veterans establishments.
    "Licensed technician" means an individual who is licensed
under this Act to repair, service, and maintain video gaming
terminals.
    "Licensed terminal handler" means a person, including but
not limited to an employee or independent contractor working
for a manufacturer, distributor, supplier, technician, or
terminal operator, who is licensed under this Act to possess or
control a video gaming terminal or to have access to the inner
workings of a video gaming terminal. A licensed terminal
handler does not include an individual, partnership,
corporation, or limited liability company defined as a
manufacturer, distributor, supplier, technician, or terminal
operator under this Act.
    "Manufacturer" means an individual, partnership,
corporation, or limited liability company that is licensed
under this Act and that manufactures or assembles video gaming
terminals.
    "Supplier" means an individual, partnership, corporation,
or limited liability company that is licensed under this Act to
supply major components or parts to video gaming terminals to
licensed terminal operators.
    "Net terminal income" means money put into a video gaming
terminal minus credits paid out to players.
    "Video gaming terminal" means any electronic video game
machine that, upon insertion of cash, electronic voucher, or
any combination thereof, is available to play or simulate the
play of a video game, including but not limited to video poker,
line up, and blackjack, as authorized by the Board utilizing a
video display and microprocessors in which the player may
receive free games or credits that can be redeemed for cash.
The term does not include a machine that directly dispenses
coins, cash, or tokens or is for amusement purposes only.
    "Licensed establishment" means any licensed retail
establishment where alcoholic liquor is drawn, poured, mixed,
or otherwise served for consumption on the premises and
includes any such establishment that has a contractual
relationship with an inter-track wagering location licensee
licensed under the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, provided
any contractual relationship shall not include any transfer or
offer of revenue from the operation of video gaming under this
Act to any licensee licensed under the Illinois Horse Racing
Act of 1975. Provided, however, that the licensed establishment
that has such a contractual relationship with an inter-track
wagering location licensee may not, itself, be (i) an
inter-track wagering location licensee, (ii) the corporate
parent or subsidiary of any licensee licensed under the
Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, or (iii) the corporate
subsidiary of a corporation that is also the corporate parent
or subsidiary of any licensee licensed under the Illinois Horse
Racing Act of 1975. "Licensed establishment" does not include a
facility operated by an organization licensee, an inter-track
wagering licensee, or an inter-track wagering location
licensee licensed under the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975
or a riverboat licensed under the Riverboat Gambling Act,
except as provided in this paragraph.
    "Licensed fraternal establishment" means the location
where a qualified fraternal organization that derives its
charter from a national fraternal organization regularly
meets.
    "Licensed veterans establishment" means the location where
a qualified veterans organization that derives its charter from
a national veterans organization regularly meets.
    "Licensed truck stop establishment" means a facility (i)
that is at least a 3-acre facility with a convenience store,
(ii) with separate diesel islands for fueling commercial motor
vehicles, (iii) that sells at retail more than 10,000 gallons
of diesel or biodiesel fuel per month, and (iv) with parking
spaces for commercial motor vehicles. "Commercial motor
vehicles" has the same meaning as defined in Section 18b-101 of
the Illinois Vehicle Code. The requirement of item (iii) of
this paragraph may be met by showing that estimated future
sales or past sales average at least 10,000 gallons per month.
(Source: P.A. 96-34, eff. 7-13-09; 96-37, eff. 7-13-09;
96-1410, eff. 7-30-10; 96-1479, eff. 8-23-10; 97-333, eff.
8-12-11.)
 
    Section 10. The Video Gaming Act is amended by changing
Section 15 as follows:
 
    (230 ILCS 40/15)
    Sec. 15. Minimum requirements for licensing and
registration. Every video gaming terminal offered for play
shall first be tested and approved pursuant to the rules of the
Board, and each video gaming terminal offered in this State for
play shall conform to an approved model. For the examination of
video gaming machines and associated equipment as required by
this Section, the The Board may utilize the services of one or
more an independent outside testing laboratories that have been
accredited by a national accreditation body and that, in the
judgment of the Board, are qualified to perform such
examinations laboratory for the examination of video gaming
machines and associated equipment as required by this Section.
Every video gaming terminal offered in this State for play must
meet minimum standards set by an independent outside testing
laboratory approved by the Board. Each approved model shall, at
a minimum, meet the following criteria:
        (1) It must conform to all requirements of federal law
    and regulations, including FCC Class A Emissions
    Standards.
        (2) It must theoretically pay out a mathematically
    demonstrable percentage during the expected lifetime of
    the machine of all amounts played, which must not be less
    than 80%. The Board shall establish a maximum payout
    percentage for approved models by rule. Video gaming
    terminals that may be affected by skill must meet this
    standard when using a method of play that will provide the
    greatest return to the player over a period of continuous
    play.
        (3) It must use a random selection process to determine
    the outcome of each play of a game. The random selection
    process must meet 99% confidence limits using a standard
    chi-squared test for (randomness) goodness of fit.
        (4) It must display an accurate representation of the
    game outcome.
        (5) It must not automatically alter pay tables or any
    function of the video gaming terminal based on internal
    computation of hold percentage or have any means of
    manipulation that affects the random selection process or
    probabilities of winning a game.
        (6) It must not be adversely affected by static
    discharge or other electromagnetic interference.
        (7) It must be capable of detecting and displaying the
    following conditions during idle states or on demand: power
    reset; door open; and door just closed.
        (8) It must have the capacity to display complete play
    history (outcome, intermediate play steps, credits
    available, bets placed, credits paid, and credits cashed
    out) for the most recent game played and 10 games prior
    thereto.
        (9) The theoretical payback percentage of a video
    gaming terminal must not be capable of being changed
    without making a hardware or software change in the video
    gaming terminal, either on site or via the central
    communications system.
        (10) Video gaming terminals must be designed so that
    replacement of parts or modules required for normal
    maintenance does not necessitate replacement of the
    electromechanical meters.
        (11) It must have nonresettable meters housed in a
    locked area of the terminal that keep a permanent record of
    all cash inserted into the machine, all winnings made by
    the terminal printer, credits played in for video gaming
    terminals, and credits won by video gaming players. The
    video gaming terminal must provide the means for on-demand
    display of stored information as determined by the Board.
        (12) Electronically stored meter information required
    by this Section must be preserved for a minimum of 180 days
    after a power loss to the service.
        (13) It must have one or more mechanisms that accept
    cash in the form of bills. The mechanisms shall be designed
    to prevent obtaining credits without paying by stringing,
    slamming, drilling, or other means. If such attempts at
    physical tampering are made, the video gaming terminal
    shall suspend itself from operating until reset.
        (14) It shall have accounting software that keeps an
    electronic record which includes, but is not limited to,
    the following: total cash inserted into the video gaming
    terminal; the value of winning tickets claimed by players;
    the total credits played; the total credits awarded by a
    video gaming terminal; and pay back percentage credited to
    players of each video game.
        (15) It shall be linked by a central communications
    system to provide auditing program information as approved
    by the Board. The central communications system shall use a
    standard industry protocol, as defined by the Gaming
    Standards Association, and shall have the functionality to
    enable the Board or its designee to activate or deactivate
    individual gaming devices from the central communications
    system. In no event may the communications system approved
    by the Board limit participation to only one manufacturer
    of video gaming terminals by either the cost in
    implementing the necessary program modifications to
    communicate or the inability to communicate with the
    central communications system.
        (16) The Board, in its discretion, may require video
    gaming terminals to display Amber Alert messages if the
    Board makes a finding that it would be economically and
    technically feasible and pose no risk to the integrity and
    security of the central communications system and video
    gaming terminals.
    The Board may adopt rules to establish additional criteria
to preserve the integrity and security of video gaming in this
State. The central communications system vendor may not hold
any license issued by the Board under this Act.
(Source: P.A. 96-34, eff. 7-13-09; 96-37, eff. 7-13-09;
96-1410, eff. 7-30-10.)
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.