(a) A person who holds a permit or license to operate video lottery terminals shall place the video lottery terminals authorized by the license or permit in operation within six months after receiving the license or permit in which the terminals are first authorized. After January 1, 2002, a person who holds a permit or license to operate video lottery terminals shall place the video lottery terminals authorized by the license or permit in operation within ninety days after receiving the license or permit.

(b) After a video lottery terminal is connected to the commission's central site system of monitoring lottery terminals, the terminal may not be off-line for more than five consecutive days, unless the terminal is off-line due to fire, flood, or other act beyond the control of the operator. If the terminal is off-line due to fire, flood, or other act beyond the control of the operator, the terminal shall be reconnected to the commission's central site by the date ordered by the commission. The commission shall propose a legislative rule for promulgation in accordance with the provisions of article 29A-3-1, et seq., of this code, defining the term "other act beyond the control of the operator" and providing for application of this subsection (b).

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, authorization to operate a video lottery terminal that is not connected to the commission's central site system of monitoring lottery terminals shall be forfeited to the commission on the first day after expiration of the applicable period specified in this subsection (a) or (b) of this section.