Rules of the Game for Clubs Long Form
Megabucks& Change History Version Issue Date Description Author 1.0 1 August 2014 Rules of the Game Long Form Jason Williams - 30 September 2016 Updated to include which is a new theme for the Megabucks jackpot game. Also updated documentation template - versions will now be identified by their issue date and not by a version number. Include maximum jackpot transfer amount and cash payout amount of $5,000. Jackpots may be paid to players by electronic funds transfer by Maxgaming or the Club. Jason Williams Document Owner This document is controlled by the Compliance Manager, Maxgaming.. 2016 Maxgaming NSW Pty Ltd ABN 51 078 250 423 trading as MAX. This document and all its contents are subject to copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process without the written permission of the Chief Operating Officer. Enquiries should be addressed to The Chief Operating Officer, Maxgaming NSW Pty Ltd, 87 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102 Page i of ii Printed document may not be current version. Maxgaming NSW Pty Ltd ABN 51 078 250 423 trading as MAX
Megabucks Good Contents 1. Rules of the Linked Jackpot Game... 1 1.1 Application of Rules... 1 2. Definitions and Interpretation... 1 3. Object and Operation of LGS... 3 4. Jackpot Feature... 4 5. Eligibility and Obligations of Venue... 5 5.1 Eligibility and Disqualification of Players... 5 6. Jackpot Increments... 6 6.1 Jackpot Values and Jackpot Signage... 6 6.2 Payment of Jackpot Prizes... 7 7. Simultaneous Jackpot Wins... 8 8. Dispersal of Jackpot Increments... 8 9. Unclaimed Jackpot Prizes... 9 10. Breach of Rules... 9 11. Dispute Resolution... 9 12. Limitation of Liability... 10 Printed document may not be current version. Page ii of ii
1. Rules of the Linked Jackpot Game 1.1 Application of Rules These Rules: are effective on and from the commencement date approved by the Regulator govern the Linked Jackpot Game including: participation of gaming machines operated by Venues in the Linked Jackpot Game; connection of Specially Approved Gaming Machines to the LGS (LGS); and playing of the Linked Jackpot Game, and individual Jackpot Features, by Players; may be amended by Maxgaming from time to time, subject to the approval of the Regulator; and are to be read subject to applicable legislation. These Rules are binding on all Venues. By entering into an agreement with Maxgaming regarding the connection of gaming machines to the LGS a Venue agrees to be bound by these Rules. These Rules are binding on all Players. By playing on a Participating Specially Approved Gaming Machine a Player agrees to be bound by these Rules. 2. Definitions and Interpretation In these Rules: Accumulated Progressive Jackpot Amount is the total amount of Increment Contributions which have not been paid as jackpots. Act means the Gaming Machines Act 2001 (NSW) as amended from time to time. Approved means approved by the Regulator under the Act. Base Game means a non Jackpot or non progressive game available for play on a SAGM approved by the Regulator under the Act. Central Operations means Maxgaming s host controller for the LGS and/or Maxgaming s staff that operate that host controller (as the context requires). Increment Contribution is the amount that is derived from the gaming machine turnover in order to increase the Jackpot Value. Ineligible Players means Players who are not eligible to participate in a Linked Jackpot Game, as described in clause 5.1. Printed document may not be current version. Page 1 of 11
In-Machine Jackpot means a jackpot internal to the SAGM which is not connected to Maxgaming s LGS. Inter-Club Jackpot means a jackpot approved and authorised to operate on Maxgaming s LGS in which SAGMs from two or more Clubs participate. Intra-Club Jackpot means a jackpot approved and authorised to operate on Maxgaming s LGS in which only SAGMs from only one Club participate. Jackpot means a jackpot prize payable to a Player in respect of a Linked Jackpot Game in accordance with these Rules. Jackpot Contribution is the total amount that is deducted from the gaming machine turnover in order to build a Jackpot prize. Jackpot contributions are maintained in Jackpot Pools assigned to the Jackpot on the LGS for payment of Jackpot prizes. The Jackpot Contribution is made up of the Start Up Contribution plus the Increment Contribution. Jackpot Normaliser means the process of managing a Jackpot Pool to help ensure surplus or deficit contributions funding a jackpot will be minimised. Jackpot Pool means the total amount maintained on the LGS to be paid as Jackpots. Jackpot Signage means a minimum of one electronic sign used for display of Jackpot Values, Jackpot wins and link status information, per Linked Jackpot Game, per Club. Jackpot Signage may also include Fixed non-electronic signs (posters) attached to a Participating SAGM and the Maxgaming Statewide Linked Jackpot logo. Jackpot Value means the current value of a Jackpot offered for play in a Linked Jackpot Game, as determined by the LGS. Linked Jackpot Game means the Megabucks and Inter-Club Linked Jackpot Game operated in accordance with the Rules, with two Inter- Club jackpot levels. Linked Gaming System or LGS means the authorised Inter-Club LGS as defined in section 141 of the Act. Maxgaming means Maxgaming NSW Pty Ltd (ABN 51 078 250 423) trading as Maxgaming. Member means a member of a Club, including a full, provisional, an honorary or a temporary member of that Club and a guest of a Member. Player means a person who is not an Ineligible Player and who inserts money (or money equivalent) into a Participating Specially Approved Gaming Machine. Participating Specially Approved Gaming Machine or Participating SAGM means a SAGM that is authorised to connect to the LGS for participation in the Linked Jackpot Game. Progressive Jackpot Level means a jackpot level triggered by the Participating SAGM Jackpot Feature that allows Players to play for Jackpot prizes. Registered Clubs Act means the Registered Clubs Act 1976 (NSW) as amended from time to time. Regulator means: Printed document may not be current version. Page 2 of 11
1. The Casino, Liquor & Gaming Control Authority (CLGCA) constituted by the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority Act 2007; and 2. Any applicable Minister, the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing, or other person or body having regulatory authority in relation to part or all of the LGS. Rules mean these Rules, as amended from time to time in accordance with the Act and Maxgaming s licence to operate the LGS. Specially Approved Gaming Machine or SAGM means an approved gaming machine as defined in section 141 of the Act. Start Up Contribution is the amount that is derived from the gaming machine turnover in order to fund the minimum value of the jackpot. Venue means a Club in respect of which a certificate of registration under part 2 of the Registered Clubs Act is in force, and that has at least 1 SAGM connected to the LGS for participation in the Linked Jackpot Game. Venue Gaming Hours means in relation to a Venue, the hours that the venue is authorised to allow gaming at the venue. This will normally be the venue s l trading hours less the mandatory shutdown period, or an approved variation to that period. Terms used but not defined in these Rules, have the meaning given to them in the Act. If there is any inconsistency between the Act and the Rules, the Act will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. 3. Object and Operation of LGS The LGS connects electronically two or more SAGMs in different Venues to Central Operations, with the Jackpot increasing by an amount equal to a percentage of turnover from all Participating SAGMs. Each Player playing in accordance with these Rules is eligible to win the Jackpot Level in respect of the Linked Jackpot Game. Maxgaming makes a standing offer to Players to pay Jackpots won by Players in the Linked Jackpot Game on the terms provided for in the Act, Maxgaming's Licence to operate the LGS and the Rules, which Players accept by conduct by playing the Participating SAGM. For the avoidance of doubt, the offer referred to in this clause 3 applies only to the Linked Jackpot Game. Nothing in the Rules, the offer referred to in this clause 3 or otherwise, makes Maxgaming in any way liable for, or bound to the Venue or any Player in respect of payment of, any other game or function of a Participating SAGM, including for the avoidance of doubt the Base Game (including any In-Machine Jackpots and any Intra-Club Jackpot Levels, which are the relevant Venue s sole responsibility. Only SAGMs will be connected to the LGS. Each Participating SAGM has the following characteristics: Every credit that is bet in each game played on a Participating SAGM will increase the Jackpot and will cause the turnover meter to increment. The increment is directly proportional to the number of credits bet. Printed document may not be current version. Page 3 of 11
The Base Credit Value is 1c. All participating SAGMs must be of the same Base Credit Value. Play of the Linked Jackpot Game on a Participating SAGM is permissible only during Venue Gaming Hours and only when the LGS is operational and the integrity of the LGS is maintained. If part or all of the LGS, or anything used by a Venue to connect SAGMs to the LGS, malfunctions or fails, then neither Participating SAGMs within that Venue nor any person playing them is eligible to participate in the Linked Jackpot Game and all affected Participating SAGMs must be disabled for play. The minimum number of Venues with SAGMs participating in the Linked Jackpot Game is two. The minimum number of Participating SAGMs per Venue is one. There is no limit on the maximum number of Participating SAGMs or the maximum number of Venues that can be connected to, and participate in, the Linked Jackpot Game. 4. Jackpot Feature SAGMs participating in the Linked Jackpot Game contribute to all 4 Progressive Jackpot Levels supported by the Participating SAGMs i.e. two Inter-Club jackpot levels and two In-Machine jackpot levels. The two In-Machine jackpot levels are not connected to the LGS. The Inter-Club Linked Jackpot levels for the Linked Jackpot Game are the Megabucks and Grandbucks jackpot levels and both are compulsory for all SAGMs participating in the Linked Jackpot Game. Payment of the Megabucks and Grandbucks prizes is the sole responsibility of Maxgaming and not the venue. Subject to, and without limiting these Rules and the Act, the Participating SAGM triggers a progressive jackpot hit and determines a progressive level won. For Inter-Club linked jackpots the amount won is determined by the LGS. The Megabucks jackpot awards up to a maximum value of $1,000,000 and the Grandbucks jackpot awards up to a maximum value of $5,000. When either jackpot reaches its maximum value all further contributions to that level will be added to the Start Up amount of the next jackpot. There is no double up/gamble feature game available after a Jackpot Feature, including those amounts that may have been won as a result of the Base Game during which the Jackpot Feature was triggered. Megabucks and Grandbucks Jackpot Feature Description To win a Megabucks or Grandbucks prize, a Jackpot Feature is randomly triggered during play on a Participating SAGM for which a Player has bet money and caused the turnover meter to increment. The trigger is a function of the total number of credits bet per bought game. Detailed rules on how to win these jackpots are available to Players in each SAGM. Printed document may not be current version. Page 4 of 11
5. Eligibility and Obligations of Venue A Venue must make these Rules available to a Player on request by that Player. These Rules or a short form version of the Rules as provided by Maxgaming to Venues is displayed at each Venue in close proximity to the Participating SAGMs in that Venue. Players may only play Participating SAGMs at a Venue during Venue Gaming Hours. Maxgaming will not be liable to pay Jackpot prizes won by a Player outside of Venue Gaming Hours except as required by the Act. A Venue s Authorised Representative will conduct initial verification procedures in relation to connectivity, communication, and displayed jackpot levels for all Participating SAGMs and Jackpot Signage for the Linked Jackpot Game operating at the venue, in order to ensure that the link will operate as approved and authorised. However the Venue and the Venue s Authorised Representatives are not authorised to make any admissions on behalf of Maxgaming or to issue confirmation or complete verification of entitlements to Jackpots. 5.1 Eligibility and Disqualification of Players Any person who is under the age of 18 years or who is otherwise prohibited by law from playing a Participating SAGM is not eligible to participate in a Linked Jackpot Game or to claim a Jackpot. Any play of a Participating SAGM by an Ineligible Player is invalid and an Ineligible Player may not win a Jackpot. To play the Linked Jackpot Game, a Player must insert money into a Participating SAGM. The minimum bet to participate in the Linked Jackpot Game is one credit bet on one line. Maxgaming or a Venue will not pay, or be required or liable to pay, any Jackpot prizes: to Ineligible Players; where there has (or Maxgaming or the Venue, as the case may be, has a reasonable suspicion that there has) been fraud or attempted fraud or a breach of the Act or these Rules. Maxgaming or a Venue will not pay, or be required or liable to pay, any Jackpot prizes to a Player or other person who, or in respect to claim, which, has been disqualified (whether before or after the Jackpot is alleged to have been won) unless that disqualification is reinstated. Disqualification in accordance with clause 5.1 may, in the absolute discretion of Maxgaming be reinstated. Without limiting the operation of clause 12, the liability of Maxgaming or a Venue to a Player who has been reinstated under clause 5.1, is limited to Maxgaming or the Venue paying the Player the amount of any Jackpot prize won by the Player. Printed document may not be current version. Page 5 of 11
6. Jackpot Increments Megabucks and Grandbucks Jackpot Levels Maxgaming makes Increment Contributions to the Megabucks and Grandbucks jackpot levels in amounts calculated using the Increment Percentage of Turnover. In addition, Maxgaming makes Start-up Contributions towards the start-up value of the next Jackpot calculated using the Start-up Percentage of Turnover. The total Jackpot Contribution, which is made up of the Increment Contribution and Start Up Contribution, is the total amount deducted from the gaming machine turnover to build the jackpot prizes. Over time it is expected 100% of these contributions will be awarded to players as jackpots. Due to the trigger for each jackpot being random it is possible for a significant surplus or deficit in the collection of the Start Up Contribution used to fund the minimum value of each jackpot. Subject to approval by the Regulator, the ratio of Increment Contribution and Start Up Contribution may be altered to normalise the jackpot pool by increasing or decreasing the amount of the average jackpot hit for a period of time this is called the Jackpot Normaliser. The total Jackpot Contribution remains the same and this process helps ensure the total Jackpot Contribution is awarded to players in a timely manner and Jackpot Pools are sufficiently funded to award all prizes won. The Jackpot Normaliser does not affect the frequency of a Jackpot Prize, which is randomly triggered by the attached SAGMs, and at all times every Player is equally eligible to win Jackpots offered for play in a Linked Jackpot Game for each credit bet. The Start-up and Increment Percentages are specified below: Megabucks 1c Start Up Percentage (% of credit bet) Increment Percentage (% of credit bet) Standard 1.293550 0.220 Underfunded 1.315550 0.198 Overfunded 1.271550 0.242 Grandbucks 1c Start Up Percentage (% of credit bet) Increment Percentage (% of credit bet) Standard 1.508317 0.100 All Participating SAGMs must have the same probability of winning a Jackpot. The current Jackpot Values are displayed in Jackpot Signage located above the Participating SAGM(s) and visible from a normal playing position for each participating SAGM. The Jackpot Value is shown in dollars and cents. All signage is incremented in amounts of one cent. Following a win, the Jackpot Value for the linked progressive level is reset to the Minimum (or Start-up) Jackpot Value for that level. When a Jackpot win is triggered, the Jackpot Signage for all Participating SAGM s in all Venues will generate a win celebration listing: The Jackpot Level won The winning Venue name Printed document may not be current version. Page 6 of 11
The SAGM number The amount of the win The minimum, maximum, and Expected Average Jackpot Values are specified as below: Megabucks 1c Minimum (or Start-up) Jackpot Value Expected Average Jackpot Payout Maximum Jackpot Value JP Level Probability Standard $250,000 $292,518.65 $1,000,000 0.00000000051742 Underfunded $250,000 $288,266.79 $1,000,000 0.00000000051742 Overfunded $250,000 $296,770.52 $1,000,000 0.00000000051742 Grandbucks 1c Minimum (or Start-up) Jackpot Value Expected Average Jackpot Payout Maximum Jackpot Value JP Level Probability Standard $1,000 $1,066.30 $5,000 0.00000015083168 6.1 Payment of Jackpot Prizes Where the amount of a monetary Jackpot prize is not more than $5,000 that Jackpot may (but is not required to) be paid through a transfer by the use of Centralised Cash Control Equipment (CCCE) to credit on the winning Participating SAGM. Where that occurs, the Club will be deemed to have advanced to Maxgaming an amount equal to the amount of the Jackpot credited to the Participating SAGM as a result of the CCCE transfer, and also deemed to have been directed by Maxgaming to apply that advance by granting the associated credits on the Participating SAGM. The Club will then assume full responsibility for payment of the relevant credits. Where Jackpots are not paid through a transfer by the use of CCCE to credit on Participating SAGMs, including any CCCE jackpot transfer failures, Jackpot Prizes resulting from the Linked Jackpot Game are paid as follows subject to the Rules and the Act: To claim a Jackpot: 1. The Player must complete and sign a Statewide Link Prize Payment Form. 2. The Club must sign the acknowledgment on the Statewide Link Prize Payment Form. 3. The Statewide Link Prize Payment Form signed by the Player and Club must be submitted to Maxgaming at Central Operations for verification. Maxgaming will then verify the integrity of the LGS infrastructure and the winning Participating SAGM at the time of the jackpot win, the entitlement of the Player to the Jackpot and the amount of the Jackpot. In the case of discrepancy of Jackpot Values between Jackpot Signage displays at the club, or between a Jackpot Signage display at the club and Central Operations, whether or not occurring as a result of a sign Printed document may not be current version. Page 7 of 11
malfunction, the amount recorded by Central Operations will be the correct Jackpot Value. Once the entitlement to the Jackpot and the amount of the Jackpot are verified, the Jackpot Value will be paid by Maxgaming through the Club as Maxgaming s payment agent, paying up to $2,000 in cash and drawing and issuing a cheque in the name of the Player for the balance within 24 hours (on Business days Monday to Friday) or 72 Hours on non Business days (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays) of Maxgaming, through Central Operations, acknowledging and verifying the entitlement to, and amount of, the Jackpot. Any cheques issued in payment of a Jackpot prize will be crossed and marked Not Negotiable and payable to Account Payee Only and will be drawn in favour of the Player. If the Player requests, a Jackpot prize may be made by means of electronic funds transfer by Maxgaming or the Club (if those means are available to Maxgaming or the Club) to an account nominated by the Player. The payment of prizes to Players known to be under legal incapacity or disability or those Players who are known to have died before receiving any or all of a particular prize is subject to, and will be made in accordance with, the laws of New South Wales. Subject to the Rules and the Act, personal anonymity will be respected at the Player s request made on the Statewide Link Prize Payment Form at the time the win is processed. The Player acknowledges that Maxgaming or the Club may publish, or cause to be published, the name of the Club and / or geographic location at which the prize was won and the amount of the prize. A Player may at any time revoke a request for anonymity. 7. Simultaneous Jackpot Wins For the Megabucks or Grandbucks Jackpot Levels, when 2 or more Jackpot Features conclude with the same result on different Participating SAGMs within 10 seconds of the first instance of triggering a jackpot win those wins are considered simultaneous and are each paid the Jackpot Value recorded by Central Operations on notification of the first Jackpot win event. 8. Dispersal of Jackpot Increments Inter-Club Jackpot Decommissioned If an Inter-Club Jackpot is decommissioned by Maxgaming from a Club, Maxgaming makes no allowances or payments to anyone in respect of any Accumulated Progressive Jackpot amounts in the Jackpot Pool. In an Inter-Club Jackpot is decommissioned at Central Operations, subject to approval by the Regulator, Maxgaming will credit the amount of the Accumulated Progressive Jackpot Amounts towards the amount available for payment by way of jackpots in another Inter-Club Jackpot in the Linked Jackpot Game, or another Inter-Club Jackpot operating in the majority of participating Clubs, or as otherwise directed by the Regulator. Printed document may not be current version. Page 8 of 11
Intra-Club Jackpot Decommissioned The Club will dispose of any Accumulated Progressive Jackpot Amounts for Intra-Club Jackpots in accordance with Clause 71 Disposal of authorised progressive gaming machines or systems, Division 2, Part 5 of the Gaming Machine Regulation 2002. False wins For any Jackpots run on the LGS, if Maxgaming determines that a Jackpot win arose from an unintended consequence or malfunction of the LGS, Linked Jackpot Game or a Participating SAGM, or there is a programming error, or there was an apparent win by a person in circumstances where Maxgaming or a Venue is not required to make payment in accordance with clause 5 and 5.1 of these Rules, the Player or person claiming the prize is not entitled to receive payment and Maxgaming or the Venue is not liable to pay the prize. Instead Maxgaming or the Venue shall, subject to approval by the Regulator, make the amount of the Jackpot available for payment of future jackpots in the Linked Jackpot Game, or as otherwise approved by the Regulator. 9. Unclaimed Jackpot Prizes A cheque for a Jackpot that is not presented for payment within 12 months of the date of the relevant win may be cancelled. On cancellation of the cheque, the Player, and anyone claiming under or through the Player, loses all entitlements to that prize and, where the original cheque was drawn by the Venue, the Venue must refund to Maxgaming the amount of the prize. Neither Maxgaming not the Venue will then be under any further obligation to pay the amount of the prize. Instead, subject to Maxgaming receiving any relevant refund from the Venue, Maxgaming must dispose of the money to the Community Development Fund or as otherwise directed by the Regulator. 10. Breach of Rules A Player that does not comply with these Rules is not entitled to payment of any Jackpot prizes. 11. Dispute Resolution Any dispute in relation to the Linked Jackpot Game must be brought to the attention of the Venue s Authorised Representative. The Venue s Authorised Representative may then bring it to the attention of Maxgaming at Central Operations. Nothing said, written or done by a Venue or its Authorised Representative constitutes an admission by, or is binding on, Maxgaming. A Venue is not disentitled from its rights under the Act, the Rules or any relevant terms and conditions, by anything said, written or done by the Venue. Printed document may not be current version. Page 9 of 11
12. Limitation of Liability Maxgaming and the Venue are neither partners nor joint venturers, and neither has or accepts any liability on behalf of the other. Maxgaming, and not the Venue, is responsible and liable for the payment of Megabucks Grand Jackpot Level prizes won in accordance with these Rules and the Act. The Venue, and not Maxgaming, is responsible and liable for the payment (subject to the Act, the Rules and any relevant terms and conditions), of Intra Venue Jackpots and prizes in the Base Game (including In-Machine jackpots), including payment of all prizes that result from the operation of the Base Game and the Intra Venue and In-Machine Jackpots. In this clause 12, Non-excludable Condition means an implied condition or warranty, the exclusion of which from a contract with a consumer (as defined in the Trade Practices Act (Cth) 1974) would contravene a statute or cause part or all of the clause excluding that implied condition or warranty to be void. Except in relation to a Non-excludable Condition: neither Maxgaming, Venues not their respective officers, employees, representatives and contractors are liable for any consequential loss or damage, indirect loss or damage or loss of profits sustained by any Player or other person in connection with the LGS or the Linked Jackpot Game or Base Games or Intra Venue Jackpots, even (without limiting the foregoing) where that loss or damage results from negligence or from a hardware or software defect or error. This applies even if there was prior knowledge that the loss or damage was possible or the loss or damage was otherwise foreseeable and also applies to exclude all liability for loss or damage suffered as a result of claims by any third person. The liability of Maxgaming and Venues to any Player or other third person (other than their respective liabilities for Jackpots and Intra Venue Jackpots to which a Player is entitled in accordance with these Rules) is limited in any case to the amount of a single credit bet on a Participating SAGM; any conditions, terms or warranties which would otherwise be implied into this agreement (whether by statute or otherwise) are expressly excluded. For the avoidance of doubt, this does not prevent the Venue applying and relying on terms and conditions which the Venue may lawfully impose in relation to the Base Game and Intra Venue Jackpots. Maxgaming and the Venue s respective liabilities to Players and any other person for any breach of a Non-excludable Condition is limited to the maximum extent permitted under the relevant statute, including: in the case of goods, to any one or more of the following (at the option of Maxgaming or the Venue, as applicable), replacing the goods or supplying equivalent goods, repairing the goods, paying the cost of replacing the goods or supplying equivalent goods or paying the cost of repairing the goods; and in the case of services, to any one or more of the following (at the option of Maxgaming or the Venue, as applicable), supplying the services again or paying the cost of supplying the services again. Without limiting the generality of the above if Maxgaming, or the Venue in its own right or on behalf of Maxgaming, in good faith pays or awards a prize in Printed document may not be current version. Page 10 of 11
connection with the LGS or the Linked Jackpot Game or any Intra Venue Jackpot to someone who appears to be the prize-winner (or their duly authorised representative) then to the maximum extent permitted by law that payment or award fully discharges Maxgaming and the Venue (as the case may be) from all liability to the prize-winner and to any person claiming under or through that prize-winner in relation to that prize. Printed document may not be current version. Page 11 of 11