(a) General rule.--To facilitate the auditing and security programs critical to the integrity of video gaming terminals in this Commonwealth, the department shall have overall control of video gaming terminals that:

(1) 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.

(2) Shall include real-time information retrieval and terminal activation and disabling programs.

(b) System requirements.--The central control computer employed by the department shall provide:

(1) A fully operational Statewide video gaming terminal control system that has the capability of supporting up to the maximum number of video gaming terminals that is permitted to be in operation under this part.

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

(3) 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 video gaming terminals.

(4) The delivery of a system that has the capability to support progressive video gaming terminals as approved by the board.

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

(6) The delivery of a system that provides redundancy so that each component of the network is 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 a computer system required by the department to operate within a video gaming area, whether independent or as part of the central control computer, shall be paid by the terminal operator licensee. The computer system shall 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) The delivery of a system that provides centralized issuance of cash redemption tickets and facilitates the acceptance of the tickets by video gaming terminals and redemption terminals.

(9) Other capabilities as determined by the department in consultation with the board.

(c) Personal information.--The central control computer may not provide for the monitoring or reading of personal or financial information concerning a patron of a terminal operator licensee.

(d) Initial acquisition of central control computer.--

(1) 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 necessary computer hardware, software, licenses or related services shall not be subject to the provisions of 62 Pa.C.S. (relating to procurement).

(2) Contracts made pursuant to the provisions of this section may not exceed five years.

(e) 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.

(f) Existing central control computer system.--The department, in its discretion, may alter or utilize the central control computer system controlled by the department under section 1323 (relating to central control computer system) to fulfill the requirements of this section.