L-6, r. 3 - Rules respecting video lottery machines

Updated to 1 October 2024

This document has official status.

chapter L-6, r. 3

Rules respecting video lottery machines

Act respecting lotteries and amusement machines

(chapter L-6, s. 20.1).

DIVISION I SCOPE

1. These Rules apply to all video lottery machines with the exception of those used in a State casino.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 1.

DIVISION II VIDEO LOTTERY MACHINES

2. All video lottery machines must, to be part of the video lottery system established and managed by the Société des loteries du Québec, be composed of at least the following components:

(1)  a protective cabinet;

(2)  a video screen;

(3)  a logic circuit board;

(4)  meters;

(5)  verification mechanisms;

(6)  a money insertion mechanism;

(7)  a printer;

(8)  an electronic link permitting communication from the video lottery machine to the central control computer established and managed by the Société;

(9)  locking mechanisms for openings.

For the application of these Rules:

“logic circuit board” means all the logic cards and game software contained in a video lottery machine;

“Société” means the Société des loteries du Québec, also known as “Loto-Québec” or any of its subsidiaries whose objects relate to the exploitation of a video lottery system.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 2; O.C. 778-97, s. 1.

3. All video lottery machines must function in such a manner that the player can play by pressing mechanical or digital buttons or a combination of both. A game cannot be initiated by the action of an electrical or mechanical lever.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 3.

4. All video lottery machines must be manufactured in such a manner and must function in such a manner as to reject all bets which exceed $2.50 and as to not offer a prize whose value is in excess of $1,000.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 4.

5. All video lottery machines must function in such a manner as to indicate to the player, for each number of credits wagered, every possibility of winning combinations and the number of credits the combinations bring.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 5.

6. Every video lottery machine must function in such a manner that it automatically emits a reimbursement coupon when the number of cumulated credits reaches or exceeds a value of $1,000.

For the application of these Rules, “reimbursement coupon” means a written statement issued by the video lottery machine to confirm at least the number of reimbursable credits as well as their value in Canadian currency.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 6.

7. Every video lottery machine must be manufactured so that it has no device which permits the erasing of cumulated credits other than by the issuance of a reimbursement coupon.

Also, the machine must not contain any device making it possible to modify, either manually or by electric signal, the rate of return, the meters or the information contained in the meters, other than through the central control computer.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 7; O.C. 480-95, s. 1.

8. An identification plaque, on which is inscribed the unique serial number of the video lottery machine, must be placed on an upper corner of one side of the cabinet. The plaque must be conserved intact.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 8.

9. The logic circuit board of a video lottery machine must have a unique serial number.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 9.

10. The electronic link of a video lottery machine must permit the central computer to have access to at least the following data:

(1)  the amount of money inserted into the machine, either in credits or Canadian currency;

(2)  the amount won, either in credits or Canadian currency;

(3)  the amount paid, either in credits or Canadian currency;

(4)  the amount bet, either in credits or Canadian currency;

(5)  the openings of the door which protect the logic circuit board;

(6)  the openings of the main door of the cabinet.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 10.

11. Every video lottery machine must contain protection mechanisms which protect it from all mechanical, electrical, electronic, magnetic or other interference.

It must also contain protection mechanisms for the game in case of a power shortage or surcharge.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 11.

12. Every video lottery machine must contain a device permitting it to maintain in its memory all the operational data of the machine for a period of at least 90 days, in case of an electrical failure.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 12.

13. The components of a video lottery machine which are likely to influence its functioning or the data which it registers must not be accessible, other than through the central control computer, when all the doors or openings to the cabinet of the machine are closed. The video lottery machine must also be manufactured in such a manner that no external mechanism can influence its functioning, except mechanisms used to play or to turn off the machine and the mechanisms of the central control computer.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 13; O.C. 480-95, s. 2.

14. The compartment of the video lottery machine which contains its logic circuit board must be separate from the other compartments. Also, the video lottery machine must be manufactured in such a manner that all compartments can be accessible without having to access the compartment containing the logic circuit board.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 14.

15. The video lottery machine must contain at least one locking device protecting the principal door of the cabinet and at least one other protecting the logic circuit board.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 15.

16. The mechanism for inserting money into the video lottery machine must function in such a manner that it accepts only Canadian money.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 16; O.C. 778-97, s. 2.

17. The video lottery machine must contain a printer whose functioning makes it possible, in one single printing, to issue a reimbursement coupon and to record an identical copy inside the machine.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 17.

18. A message indicating that the quantity of paper in the printer is low must appear on the reimbursement coupon or on the screen of the video lottery machine.

Also, all video lottery machines must be manufactured in such a manner that they cannot function if the quantity of paper contained in the printer is insufficient to print a complete reimbursement coupon. They must also contain a device making it possible to show on the screen the result of the last 10 games.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 18.

19. All video lottery machines must function in such a manner as to permit the player, at all times, to obtain a reimbursement coupon for the credits he has accumulated or not used.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 19.

20. All video lottery machines must contain, as well as a logic meter, a sealed mechanical meter with a minimum of 6 numbers whose function is to keep track of the money introduced into the video lottery machine.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 20; O.C. 778-97, s. 3.

DIVISION III CATEGORY OF LICENCES

21. The categories of licences for video lottery machines that may be issued by the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux are as follows:

(1)  the manufacturer’s licence;

(2)  the repairman’s licence;

(3)  the site operator’s licence.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 21.

22. The manufacturer of video lottery machines licence authorizes its holder to manufacture, assemble or sell a video lottery machine to the Société or to rent or otherwise alienate such a machine to a person outside of Québec.

The licence also authorizes its holder to install, repair or maintain the machines which he has sold to the Société within the limits provided for in the service and maintenance contracts he has concluded and the guarantee he has accorded to the Société at the time of sale of the machines.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 22.

23. The repairman’s licence authorizes its holder to install, repair, transport or maintain video lottery machines.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 23.

24. The site operator’s licence authorizes its holder to put video lottery machines at the disposal of the public in the establishment for which his licence is delivered.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 24; S.Q. 2016, c. 7, s. 61.

25. A holder of a licence may not exploit his licence contrary to its conditions or for purposes other than that for which it was issued.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 25.

DIVISION IV CATEGORY OF ESTABLISHMENTS

26. Video lottery machines may be operated in a bar for which a bar permit issued by the board is in force and not suspended.

Despite the first paragraph, the holder of a bar permit may not put video lottery machines at the disposal of the public in a room in an establishment if the board has not determined the capacity of the room, in particular in the case of a permit issued for sales or service in a room of a hotel establishment or by vending machine in such an establishment, if the capacity specified on the permit for that room is fewer than 15 people or if one of the following is specified in the section entitled “particularité d’exploitation” or the section entitled “localisation” of the permit:

(1)  théâtre;

(2)  amphithéatre;

(3)  centre sportif;

(4)  terrasse;

(5)  pavillon de chasse ou de pêche;

(6)  transporteur public;

(7)  aire commune de restauration ou d’exposition.

Also, the holder of the permit cannot put video lottery machines at the disposal of the public when the permit is exploited in the production premises of a small-scale alcoholic beverage producer.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 26; O.C. 480-95, s. 3; S.Q. 2016, c. 7, s. 62.

27. Video lottery machines inside an establishment may not be installed in the following areas:

(1)  the areas for the preparation of alcoholic beverages;

(2)  on the service counters;

(3)  in bathrooms;

(4)  in cloak rooms;

(5)  in areas reserved for the use of employees of the establishment.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 27.

28. The holder of a site operator’s licence must keep posted in public view and close to the video lottery machines, at all times in his establishment, a notice indicating that it is forbidden for a person of less than 18 years to play with a video lottery machine.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 28.

29. (Revoked).

O.C. 1254-93, s. 29; O.C. 480-95, s. 4; S.Q. 2016, c. 7, s. 63.

29.1. (Revoked).

O.C. 322-2008, s. 1; S.Q. 2016, c. 7, s. 63.

DIVISION V LICENCE APPLICATIONS

30. To obtain a manufacturer’s or a repairman’s licence, a natural person must respect the following conditions:

(1)  be of full age;

(2)  in the 5 years preceding the date of his licence application, never have pleaded or been found guilty in Canada or in another jurisdiction of a similar offence, of an indictable offence or an offence punishable on summary conviction for which he has not received a pardon or an absolute discharge with regard to:

(a)  sections 46, 47, 49 to 52, 59, 61, 74 to 78, 80, 81, 85, 87 to 90, 91, 119, 127, 131 and 132, 136 to 139, 144, 145, 201, 202, 206, 209, 210, 212, 219, 220, 222 to 236, 239, 240, 244, 265 to 273, 279, 279.1, 342.1, 343, 344, 346, 348, 349, 352, 354, 362, 366, 380, 397, 427, 430, 433, 434, 435, 463 and 465 of the Criminal Code (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46);

(b)  sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (S.C. 1996, c. 19);

(c)  (integrated into subparagraph b);

(3)  in the 3 years preceding the date of his licence application, not have pleaded or been found guilty of an offence under the Act respecting lotteries and amusement machines (chapter L-6) or its regulations.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 30.

31. To obtain a machine site operator’s licence, a holder of a bar permit must respect the following conditions:

(1)  in the 5 years preceding the date of his licence application, not have pleaded or been found guilty of an indictable offence or an offence punishable on a summary conviction for which he has not obtained a pardon or an absolute discharge with regard to sections 201 to 209 of the Criminal Code (R.S.C. 1985, c. 46);

(2)  (paragraph revoked);

(3)  not have had his liquor permit revoked, unless it has been revoked ipso jure in the 5 years preceding the date of his licence application;

(4)  not have had his liquor licence suspended for a cumulative period of 6 or more months within the 3 years preceding his licence application;

(5)  not have had another of his site operator’s licences suspended within the 5 years preceding the date of his last licence application.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 31; O.C. 480-97, s. 5; S.Q. 2016, c. 7, s. 64.

32. No person whose manufacturer’s, repairman’s or site operator’s licence is revoked may make a new licence application before the expiry of 5 years from the date of the revocation.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 32.

33. All licence applications must be presented on the form provided by the board, and must be duly completed and sworn. The form must mention the following information:

(1)  the name, address and telephone number of the applicant, where applicable a correspondence address and in the case where the applicant is a legal person, the name of the person authorize to act on its account;

(2)  the date of birth of the applicant in the case where he is a natural person;

(3)  the names of the applicant’s employees whose functions are related to the manufacture, repair or operation of the video lottery machines;

(4)  in the case of a site operator’s licence, the name and address of the person responsible for the administration of activities connected to the operating of the video lottery machines in the establishment.

Where the applicant is a legal person, the application must also contain the name and address of every director and every shareholder who owns 10% or more of the shares carrying full voting rights.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 33.

34. All applications for a manufacturer’s or a repairman’s licence must be accompanied by the following documents:

(1)  a copy of the act of birth or proof of the date and place of birth;

(2)  in the case of a person who is not a Canadian citizen, the original or a certified copy of a document from the Canadian Immigration authorities attesting to his status as a permanent resident, or the original or a certified copy of a work permit or any other document issued by the Canadian Immigration authorities authorizing him to work in Québec;

(3)  if the applicant is a legal person, its constituting act, the list of the current board members, and the declaration of the name of the enterprise if it uses a name which is different from that of the legal person, as well as a resolution authorizing the person mentioned in subparagraph 1 of section 33 to act in its name;

(4)  a copy of the declaration of the name of the enterprise, if applicable.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 34; O.C. 480-95, s. 6.

35. With the application for a site operator’s licence, the applicant must attach to the application form a drawing indicating the place which is foreseen for the installation of the machines inside the establishment.

The holder of a site operator’s licence who wishes to modify the number of video lottery machines in his establishment or modify the place where they are installed must also send the Board such a drawing.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 35; O.C. 480-95, s. 7; S.Q. 2016, c. 7, s. 65.

36. An application for a site operator’s licence must be published in a newspaper distributed in the territory of the municipality where the establishment is situated.

However, such an application need not be published when the establishment is situated in an industrial or commercial zone.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 36; O.C. 480-95, s. 8.

DIVISION VI REPORTS, REGISTERS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

37. The holder of a manufacturer’s licence must, continually, keep the following registers:

(1)  a register of the machines he manufactures or assembles within Québec, indicating the type of machine, its serial number and the date of its sale, its lease or any other forms of alienation;

(2)  a register of sales, leases or other alienation of the machines which he manufactures or assembles and which are intended for Québec, indicating the type of machine, its serial number, the date of its disposition and the name and address of the buyer, lessor or any other possessor.

The registers must be kept in permanence on the operating sites of his licence and must be kept at the disposal of the persons mentioned in section 68 of the Act respecting lotteries and amusement machines (chapter L-6).

O.C. 1254-93, s. 37.

38. The holder of a manufacturer’s licence must file annually with the board a report of the machines he sold or leased intended for Québec; the report must indicate the number of machines sold or leased, their serial numbers and a description of their type, the name and address of the purchasers or lessors as well as the sale or lease date.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 38.

39. The holder of a repairman’s licence must, continually, keep the following registers:

(1)  a register of all the interventions or operations performed on any machine, indicating the serial number of the machine;

(2)  a register of the parts he changes or replaces, indicating, when applicable, the serial number of the parts comprising the logic circuit board or having an influence on it;

(3)  a register of the visits made to an establishment, indicating the address and name of the holder of the site operator’s licence, and the date and reason for the visit;

(4)  a register of the spare parts he keeps in inventory including the logic circuit boards, indicating the serial number of the each part or logic circuit board, when applicable.

The registers must be kept in permanence on the operating sites of his licence and must be kept at the disposal of the persons mentioned in section 68 of the Act respecting lotteries and amusement machines (chapter L-6).

O.C. 1254-93, s. 39.

40. The holder of a site operator’s licence must maintain a register in which are entered the name and address of every person to whom he pays a reimbursement coupon of $500 or more, as well as the date of the payment and the amount paid.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 40.

41. The holder of a licence must retain, in the establishment where he uses his licence, the registers that he must keep by virtue of this division for a period of 3 years from the date of the last entry.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 41.

DIVISION VII OPERATION STANDARDS

42. The holder of a site operator’s licence must participate in the training and information sessions organized by the board or by the Société.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 42.

43. The holder of a site operator’s licence must dispense at least 1 hour of training to his personnel concerning the rights and obligations attached to the use of his licence.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 43.

44. The holder of a site operator’s licence must advise the board of the replacement of the person responsible mentioned in subparagraph 4 of section 33 within 10 days of the replacement.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 44.

45. The holder of a site operator’s licence must put at the public’s disposal the rules of the games, the payment charts, and instructions concerning the working of the machines in his establishment.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 45.

46. The holder of a site operator’s licence, the person responsible mentioned in subparagraph 4 of section 33, or a member of the personnel of the establishment may not pay a reimbursement coupon without having first verified, by means of a passport, a copy of an act of birth, a driver’s licence or an identity card, that the person claiming the payment of the reimbursement coupon is an adult, and if he is an adult, that he is not claiming the payment on behalf of a minor person.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 46.

47. Payment of the reimbursement coupon must only be made either in cash or by check.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 47.

48. The holder of a site operator’s licence or the person responsible mentioned in subparagraph 4 of section 33 must advise the Société as soon as possible of any default or malfunction of a video lottery machine. He must also advise the board and the Société as soon as possible of any manipulation or attempt to manipulate the machine contrary to the normal use made of the video lottery machine in his establishment.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 48.

DIVISION VIII PROHIBITIONS

49. No person may, in an establishment, make a loan, give credit, or otherwise advance money in any form whatsoever to a person in order to permit him to play with a video lottery machine.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 49.

50. No holder of a site operator’s licence, person responsible mentioned in subparagraph 4 of section 33 or member of the personnel of the establishment may permit or tolerate a person who is manifestly inebriated or under the influence of a drug, a medication, or another substance playing with a video lottery machine.

Nor may those persons permit or tolerate a person playing with more than 1 video lottery machine at a time.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 50.

51. No holder of a site operator’s licence, person responsible mentioned in subparagraph 4 of section 33 or member of the personnel of an establishment may incite a person to play with a video lottery machine.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 51.

52. No holder of a site operator’s licence may put at the disposal of the public a video lottery machine on which the logo of the Société and the mention “Loterie vidéo” does not appear.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 52.

53. No person, other than a person authorized by the Société, a member of the personnel designated by the board, or a member of the personnel of the laboratory mentioned in section 52.15 of the Act, may have access to the compartment containing the logic circuit board of a video lottery machine.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 53.

54. No person may, in an establishment, have in his possession or use a plan, program or any other material for the purpose of altering the reading of the machine’s operation by the central computer or for the purposes of permitting the changing of data registered by the meters of the machine or the changing of its functions.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 54.

55. No minor person may play with a video lottery machine.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 55.

56. No holder of a site operator’s licence, person responsible mentioned in subparagraph 4 of section 33 or member of the personnel of the establishment may tolerate or permit a minor person playing with a video lottery machine, directly or through a person of full age.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 56.

57. No holder of a site operator’s licence may tolerate or permit video lottery machines being connected between themselves in order to create a progressive jackpot.

For the purposes of this Rule, “progressive jackpot” means a jackpot won by a single player whose amount corresponds to a determined percentage of each wager placed in each participating machine.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 57.

58. No holder of a site operator’s licence may use, for the printer of the video lottery machine, any paper other than that which is supplied by the Société.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 58.

59. No holder of a site operator’s licence may offer credit or cash cheques or receive, directly or indirectly, for exchange or otherwise, goods, or services in exchange of games played with a video lottery machine in his establishment.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 59.

DIVISION IX TRANSPORT AUTHORIZATION

60. To obtain the authorization to transport a video lottery machine, the holder of a manufacturer’s licence must supply the following information to the board:

(1)  the number of machines he intends to transport, as well as the serial number of each machine;

(2)  their destination, including the point of departure;

(3)  the date of transport;

(4)  the name of the carrier.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 60.

61. The carrier of a video lottery machine or his employee must keep with him, during the transport, the original of the authorization supplied by the board.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 61.

DIVISION X PUBLICITY

62. Publicity may be addressed to minor persons or use a minor person only when it is intended to promote abstinence or moderation in playing with a video lottery machine, or to give information on the effects or consequences of excessive gaming.

O.C. 1254-93, s. 62.

63. (Omitted).

O.C. 1254-93, s. 63.

REFERENCES

O.C. 1254-93, 1993 G.O. 2, 5139

O.C. 480-95, 1995 G.O. 2, 1259

O.C. 778-97, 1997 G.O. 2, 2744

O.C. 322-2008, 2008 G.O. 2, 1183

S.Q. 2016, c. 7, ss. 61 to 65

S.Q. 2023, c. 24, ss. 78 and 98