(a) General rule.--To facilitate the auditing and security programs critical to the integrity of slot machine gaming in this Commonwealth, the department shall have overall control of slot machines, and all slot machine terminals shall be linked, at an appropriate time to be determined by the department, to a central control computer under the control of the department and accessible by the board to provide auditing program capacity and individual terminal information as approved by the department and shall include real-time information retrieval and terminal activation and disabling programs. The central control computer selected and employed by the department shall not unduly limit or favor the participation of a vendor or manufacturer of a slot machine as a result of the cost or difficulty of implementing the necessary program modifications to communicate with and link to the central control computer. The central control computer employed by the department shall provide:

(1) A fully operational Statewide slot machine control system that has the capability of supporting up to the maximum number of slot machines that could be permitted to be in operation under this part.

(2) The employment of a widely accepted gaming industry protocol to facilitate slot machine manufacturers' ability to communicate with the Statewide system.

(2.1) The delivery of a system that has the ability to verify software, detect alterations in payout and detect other methods of fraud in all aspects of the operation of slot machines.

(3) The delivery of a system that has the capability to support in-house and wide-area progressive slot machines as approved by the board.

(4) The delivery of a system that allows the slot machine licensee to install independent player tracking systems and cashless technology as approved by the board.

(5) The delivery of a system that does not alter the statistical awards of slot machine games as designed by the slot machine manufacturer and approved by the board.

(6) The delivery of a system that provides redundancy so that each component of the network will be capable of operating independently by the department if any component of the network, including the central control computer, fails or cannot be operated for any reason as determined by the department, and to assure that all transactional data is captured and secured. Costs associated with any computer system required by the department to operate at a licensed facility, whether independent or as part of the central control computer, shall be paid by the slot machine licensee. The computer system will be controlled by the department and accessible to the board.

(7) The ability to meet all reporting and control requirements as prescribed by the board and department.

(8) Any other capabilities as determined by the department in consultation with the board.

(b) Personal information.--Except as provided for in subsection (a)(4), the central control computer shall not provide for the monitoring or reading of personal or financial information concerning a patron of a slot machine licensee.

(c) Initial acquisition of central control computer.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary and in order to facilitate the prompt implementation of this part, initial contracts entered into by the department for a central control computer, including any necessary computer hardware, software, licenses or related services shall not be subject to the provisions of 62 Pa.C.S. (relating to procurement). Contracts made pursuant to the provisions of this section shall not exceed five years.

(d) Resolution of contract disputes.--The process specified in 62 Pa.C.S. Ch. 17 Subch. B (relating to prelitigation resolution of controversies) shall be the sole means of resolution for controversies arising with respect to contracts executed under this section.

(Nov. 1, 2006, P.L.1243, No.135, eff. imd.)

2006 Amendment. Act 135 amended subsec. (a).

Cross References. Section 1323 is referred to in sections 1103, 1322, 3309 of this title.