1902

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 79

29 JUNE 2004

1.2.2

Commonality of technical requirements reduces duplication of effort on the part of manufacturers in the design and manufacture of a gaming machine supplied into multiple jurisdictions and provides cost savings when equipment previously approved in one jurisdiction is assessed for approval in other jurisdictions.

1.2.3

The process for developing the National Standard involves consultation with equipment manufacturers.

1.2.4

It has not been, in bringing the document to this stage within the scope of the working party, to attempt to change the divergent industry structures that exist between some jurisdictions. These structural differences result, not only from current regulatory policy but also from the different approaches to gaming machine ownership (venue, private monopolies or duopolies and government) and the level of technology (particularly monitoring and control system technology) available when machine gaming commenced in each jurisdiction.

1.2.5

Whilst these structural differences exist, jurisdictional specific technical requirements are inevitable. The working party has identified these differences and the focus of the National Standard development process will now shift to ensuring that any difference in technical requirements between jurisdictions are for valid and unresolvable reasons.

1.3 Intent

1.3.1

The intent of this document is to ensure gaming on gaming machines occurs in a manner that is:

a) fair;

b) secure; and

c) auditable.

and that gaming machines are reliable in terms of these issues.

1.3.2

It is not the intent of this document to unreasonably:

a) mandate a single solution or method of realising an objective;

b) limit technology application to gaming equipment;

c) limit creativity and variety of choice;

d) limit marketability;

e) advantage any supplier or manufacturer of equipment; or

f) preclude research and development into new technology, equipment or innovative solutions.

1.3.3

New developments in gaming technology are recognised and encouraged. Alternative implementations to the specifications will be considered on their merit on a case by case basis. Manufacturers should also be aware that purchasers of equipment may set requirements additional to the Standard provided that the additional requirements are compatible with the Standard.

1.3.4

Note that regardless of whether or not gaming equipment meets this Standard, it must operate correctly.

1.4 Adoption & Amendment of the National Standard

1.4.1

It is anticipated that amendments to the Standard will occur on an annual basis and then be adopted by the participating jurisdictions. Individual jurisdictions can be expected to amend their respective requirements documents in advance of the National Standard where player fairness, security or auditability is considered to be jeopardised.

This process should ensure manufacturers are given information well in advance of changes to the Standard. As a general rule when jurisdictions adopt new requirements:

a) a grace period of 6 months will be granted before new requirements come into force;

b) previously approved equipment remains unaffected and revisions to that equipment will be conducted under the requirements in force when the item was originally tested;

c) equipment under test at the time the new requirements come into force will be tested against the requirements in force when the item was submitted for testing.