NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

No. 56

Symbols' Shape

4.2.19

Symbols that are not characters or numbers must maintain the same shape throughout all artwork, except while animation is in progress. Any symbol that changes shape or colour during an animation process must not appear in a way that might misrepresent another symbol in the paytable.

Symbols' Reference

4.2.20

If game instructions refer to a particular symbol and the written name for the symbol may be mistaken for another symbol or may imply other characteristics (e.g. "Pair of Sunglasses" may be interpreted as two Sunglasses symbols) the visual display of the instructions must clearly indicate to which symbol the instruction is referred. This may be via the display of the actual symbol or a more clear written description or both.

Substitutes

Substitute Symbols

4.2.21

The artwork must clearly state which symbols may act as a substitute, in which winning patterns, for which symbols and any conditions that may apply. This may be permitted in the following manner:

1. an indication that the substitute(s) match "ALL" symbols;
2. provide a list of symbols that the substitute does match;
3. provide a list, using the term "EXCEPT", which the substitute does not match; or
4. provide a statement clearly describing groups of symbols which are substituted.

Substitutes and Coinciding Wins

4.2.22

Where a game’s rules provide for both coinciding wins being paid on a selected lit line and the use of one or more substitute symbols, the following must apply to the artwork:

1. if the substitute symbols on their own are awarded a prize and concurrently may substitute for some other symbol (e.g. Sub Sub Sub Queen Queen pays both 3 Subs and 5 Queens), explanations of this rule must be explicitly included (except for scatters). It is not required to state the reverse case where the highest prize only is paid;
2. if multiple patterns that use substitutes exist on the selected lit line (for example Queen Queen Sub Jack Jack for a game paying Left to Right and Right to Left) and the game only pays one of these combinations, explanations of this rule must be explicitly included. It is not required to state the reverse case where both prizes are paid; and
3. if substitution occurs for patterns where none of the substituted symbols are displayed (e.g. Sub Sub Sub Sub Sub pays for 5 Kings and 5 Queens, etc.) explanation of this rule must be explicitly included. It is not required to state the reverse case where only one prize is paid.

Substitutes Participating in Scattered Wins

4.2.23

The artwork must state all rules relative to Substitutes participating in scattered wins. The following must be addressed:

1. if applicable, the artwork must specifically state when the term "substitutes for all symbols" is used but the Substitute does not participate in scattered wins (e.g. " _{substitutes for all symbols except scattered "); and}
2. the artwork must state payout rules for coinciding wins when there are multiple scattered win symbols and substitutes participate, including the situation where one or more scattered symbols may not appear.

Unusual Substitutes

4.2.24

If there is a feature where a symbol may substitute in a winning pattern when the symbol is not on a payline, this must be clearly specified on the artwork.