(a)    This subtitle is statewide and exclusive in its effect.

(b)    (1)    The Commission shall regulate the operation of video lottery terminals in accordance with this subtitle.

(2)    The Maryland State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency shall provide assistance to the Commission in the performance of the Commission’s duties under this subtitle.

(3)    The Commission shall regulate the operation of table games in accordance with this subtitle.

(c)    (1)    This subtitle authorizes the operation of video lottery terminals that are connected to a central monitor and control system owned or leased by the State that allows the Commission to monitor a video lottery terminal.

(2)    The Commission shall provide and operate a single central monitor and control system into which all licensed video lottery terminals must be connected.

(3)    The central monitor and control system shall be capable of:

(i)    continuously monitoring, retrieving, and auditing the operations, financial data, and program information of all video lottery terminals;

(ii)    allowing the Commission to account for all money inserted in and payouts made from any video lottery terminal;

(iii)    disabling from operation or play any video lottery terminal as the Commission deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this subtitle;

(iv)    supporting and monitoring a progressive jackpot system capable of operating one or more progressive jackpots; and

(v)    providing any other function that the Commission considers necessary.

(4)    The central monitor and control system shall employ a widely accepted gaming industry communications protocol to facilitate the ability of video lottery terminal manufacturers to communicate with the statewide system.

(5)    (i)    Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Commission may not allow a video lottery operation licensee to have access to, or obtain information from, the central monitor and control system.

(ii)    Only if the access does not in any way affect the integrity or security of the central monitor and control system, may the Commission allow a video lottery operation licensee to have access to the central monitor and control system that allows the licensee to obtain information pertinent to the legitimate operation of a video lottery facility.

(d)    Only a person with a video lottery operation license issued under this subtitle may offer a video lottery terminal and table games for public use in the State under this subtitle.