961 CMR, § 2.52

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

Section 2.52 - The Numbers Game - On-line System Operating Rules

(1)Valid Bet. Except as otherwise provided in 961 CMR 2.52(1), a valid bet on the Numbers Game using the On-line System shall be a bet which is:

(a) Placed with and accepted by a Sales Agent licensed to sell the Numbers Game or by a Lottery facility specifically designated for the purpose.

(b) Paid for in full at the time and place the bet is placed.

(c) Recorded correctly on a computer terminal generated ticket in accordance with 961 CMR 2.00.

(d) Represented by a ticket generated by a computer terminal. The ticket must contain the following information:

1. The number selection;

2. The bet type selection;

3. The amount wagered;

4. The number of draws played;

5. The date or dates of play;

6. The times or times of draw selection;

7. A terminal identification number;

8. An 18-digit ticket serial number;

9. A machine readable (bar code) ticket serial number; and

10. A verifiable numeric representation of the information contained on the ticket consistent with the information contained in the Lottery's computer records.

(e) Accepted by the Lottery Computer prior to the selection of the winning number for the draws of the bet.

(f) In the event of an apparent contradiction between information as printed on the ticket and as accepted by the Lottery Computer, the bet as accepted by the Lottery Computer shall be the valid bet.

(2)Placing Bets

(a) Bets may be placed by the bettor orally instructing the Lottery Sales Agent of his or her number selections or requesting a "quic pic" and the Sales Agent then registering the bet via the terminal keyboard.

(b) Bets may be placed by preparing a Digitally Created Barcode which is scanned into the terminal in a manner approved by the Director. A Digitally Created Barcode shall have no pecuniary or prize value, or constitute evidence of purchase or number selections.

(c) Bets may be placed by preparing a bet slip in accordance with the procedures set forth in 961 CMR 2.52(2)(c), which bet slip is then entered into the terminal in a manner approved by the Director:

1.Marking of Bet Slips: In completing a bet slip for the Numbers Game the bettor MUST:

a. Use an implement acceptable to the Lottery to mark the slip

b. Place no more than one mark (-) in any column

c. Place a mark (-) in at least one column under each of the sections labeled PICK YOUR NUMBER, MARK YOUR BET(S), CHOOSE NUMBER OF DRAWS and SELECT TIME OF DRAW

d. Choose the number he or she wishes to play using the section of the slip labeled PICK YOUR NUMBER and mark an "-" in one or more of the columns to reflect his number choice.

e. Indicate the specific bets he or she wishes to make using the section labeled MARK YOUR BET(S); mark an "-" in the box corresponding to the money amount he wishes to wager for each specific bet type shown in the column he or she wishes to wager for each specific bet type shown in the column headings; mark as many Bet Selection columns as he or she desires to play. If a bettor wishes to bet amounts other than or in addition to those shown, he or she must use additional bet slips.

f. Choose the number of draw(s) he or she wishes his or her bet to be active by using the section column labeled "CHOOSE NUMBER OF DRAWS" and mark an "-" in the box corresponding to that number. Active days per week are Monday through Sunday (seven days). All bet selections made on the same slip will be active for the number of draw(s) specified. If a bettor desires to make multiple bet selections and have them active for a different number of draws, he or she must use separate slips. A bettor must make an entry in CHOOSE NUMBER OF DRAWS section even if his/her play is for one draw only.

g. Select the draw times he or she wishes his or her bet to be active by using the section labeled "SELECT TIME OF DRAW" and mark an "-" in the box corresponding to the time of day desired. Drawing times are mid-day and evening seven days a week. If a bettor selects mid-day, the bet will be valid for mid-day drawings only for the number of draws selected. If a bettor selects evening, the bet will be valid for evening drawings only for the number of draws selected. If a bettor selects both, the bet will be valid for both mid-day and evening drawings for the number of draws selected, commencing with the draw after the bet is placed. If a bettor desires to make multiple bet selections and have them active for a different number of draws, he or she must use separate slips. A bettor must make an entry in SELECT TIME OF DRAW section even if his or her play is for one draw only.

2. Only official bet slips issued by the Lottery may be used to place bets.

3. Bet slips shall have no pecuniary or prize value, or constitute evidence of purchase or number selections.

(d) A bet may be canceled on the day it is placed prior to the close of betting for the selection of the winning number on the draw of the bet by using the cancellation procedure at the betting terminal. Bettors shall be entitled to a full refund of their bet upon cancellation and in no event shall a canceled ticket be entitled to a prize.

(e) Bets may be placed with any Lottery Numbers Game agent operating a terminal or at any Lottery operated facility accepting Numbers Game bets.

(f) Bets may be placed at any time during the day at such time or times as will be determined by the Director, but all bets must be placed and accepted by the Lottery computer prior to the close of betting for the selection of the winning number on the draw(s) for the bet or bets. In the event that a bet is placed subsequent to the drawing of the winning number, that bet shall be void and the Lottery's liability shall be limited to a refund of the amount of the bet.

(g) The bet as represented by the ticket produced by the computer terminal is the only bet on which a prize may be claimed. Bettors are cautioned to examine their bet ticket at the time it is issued prior to the appropriate number selection in order to ensure that the ticket accurately represents the correct number selection, bet selection, effective day or days, the correct drawing time(s) and purchase price.

(h) In the event that the Sales Agent or the computer terminal errs when the bet is placed, it shall be the responsibility of the bettor to determine that an error has been made and to request cancellation (provided betting for the draw has not closed) of the bet and the return of the purchase price. The Lottery shall not be liable for the payment of a prize because of Sales Agent or computer terminal error when the bet is placed.

(i) The Lottery shall not be liable for the payment of a prize in the event that the bet is canceled intentionally or through inadvertence of the Sales Agent.

(j) It shall be the responsibility of the person who collects the prize to make certain that he or she is receiving the correct sum of prize money. The Lottery shall not be liable for any underpayment except that the Director in his or her discretion may direct that an additional prize payment be made in order to correct an obvious mistake.

(3)Betting Tickets.

(a) The betting ticket is a bearer instrument until a Mobile Claim is submitted, or if no valid Mobile Claim is submitted, then until signed by owner and prize may be claimed by anyone in possession of unsigned winning ticket if no valid Mobile Claim has been submitted.

(b) Sales Agents may pay claims up to and including the sum of $600.00. Any claim of more than $600.00 shall be made on a claim form supplied by the Lottery at all Sales Agent locations or pursuant to the Mobile Claim Process. The procedure to be followed for claims in excess of $600 and 961 CMR 2.00 governing each procedure shall be pursuant to 961 CMR 2.38.

(4)Lost, Mislaid or Stolen Numbers Game Tickets. The Lottery Commission may pay a prize to the holder of a Numbers Game ticket and the payment of such prize shall absolve the Commission of any further liability with respect to such ticket. In determining whether a prize has been paid on a Numbers Game Ticket, the Commission may rely solely upon its computer records in determining whether or not a particular prize has been paid and the status as determined by the Lottery's computer shall be binding on the holder. In the event of a lost, stolen or mislaid ticket, the Director may order an investigation, and if he or she is satisfied that the claimant in fact is the owner of the lost, stolen or mislaid ticket and it has not otherwise been paid, he or she may in his or her discretion pay the prize to the claimant thereof. All payments of prizes on lost, stolen or mislaid tickets shall not be made for a period of 90 days in the case of a prize of $200.00 or less and shall not be made for one year if the prize exceeds $200.00, unless the Director in his or her discretion shall decide otherwise.

(5)Sales Agents. Sales Agents are required to pay to the Lottery all sums due on the date established for payment. Failure to make payment when due or upon notice from the custodial bank that funds are not available will result in the immediate shut down of that Sales Agent's terminal and the Sales Agent's license to sell the Numbers Game and/or any other Lottery game shall be subject to revocation, suspension or nonrenewal pursuant to the provisions of 961 CMR 2.13.

(6)Payoffs. Prizes will be paid on a pari-mutuel basis in such amounts and in accordance with such formulae as may be established by the Director by Administrative Bulletin. The Director may by Administrative Bulletin establish minimum prizes, rules for rounding payments to the nearest dollar or otherwise, rules for subtracting overpayments from a pool from subsequent pools and adding underpayments from a pool to subsequent pools, and such other matters as may be necessary or desirable for the proper operation of the game.

(7)Multiplier Feature. The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission may offer a multiplier feature, which may be known by an associated trade name, for the Numbers Game. This is a feature by which a bettor, for an additional wager, may increase the pari-mutuel prize amount by a factor depending upon a multiplier number that is drawn prior to the Numbers drawing. Rules regarding the multiplier feature shall be set by the Director in an Administrative Bulletin governing the game.

(8) All other provisions of 961 CMR 2.00 shall, if applicable, apply to the On-line Numbers Game System.