Glossary of Casino Terms

Announced bet	"Announced bet" refers to a bet where a player announces the intention to bet a certain way and actually puts the wager on the table.
Ante	"Ante" refers to a player's initial wager or predetermined contribution to the pot prior to the dealing of the first hand.
Applicant	"Applicant" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001 (1).
Asset number	"Asset number" means a unique number permanently assigned to a slot machine or table game and its cash storage box for purposes of tracking that machine or table game and storage box while used by an operator.
Associated equipment	"Associated equipment" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001 (2).
Bill validator	"Bill validator" means any mechanical, electrical, or other device, contrivance, or machine designed to interface with a slot machine or electronic table game for the purpose of accepting currency or tickets equal to the amount inserted into the bill validator system for the registering of credits for subsequent play.
Bird cage	"Bird cage" is a clear hard plastic container used to carry chips to and from gaming tables.
Board	"Board" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 MR.S.A § 1001 (4).
Cage or general cashier	"Cage or general cashier" is defined as any person who has custody of the cage inventory comprising currency, coin, chips, forms, documents, and records normally associated with the operation of a cage and other functions normally associated with a cashier.
Cage supervisor	"Cage supervisor" means any person whose job allows that person to supervise personnel and functions within the cashiers' cage.
Call	"Call" refers to a wager made in an amount equal to the immediately preceding wager.
Call bet	"Call bet" refers to an announced bet but no money is placed on the table. Call bets are not to be used in the State of Maine.
Card room bank	"Card room bank" refers to an imprest fund which is a part of and accountable to the licensee's casino cage or bankroll but which is maintained in the card room exclusively for the purposes providing cashier services to the card room.
Card table bank	"Card table bank" refers to an imprest inventory of cash and chips physically located in the table tray on the card table and controlled by the licensee through accountability established with the card room bank.
Cash	"Cash" means U.S. currency and/or coin.
Cash equivalents	"Cash equivalents" means: A. Certified checks, cashier's checks, treasurer's checks, traveler's checks, or money orders, any of which are made payable to the Slot Machine Operator, "bearer" or "cash". B. Certified checks, cashier's checks, treasurer's checks, or money orders, any of which are made payable to the presenting patron and endorsed in blank, provided, however, that no such instrument shall be accepted as a cash equivalent if the I instrument was originally made payable to any person other than the presenting patron.
Cash storage box	"Cash storage box" refers to a secure container in a slot machine or electronic table game that accepts and retains currency or tickets from the bill validator.
Cashiers' cage	"Cashiers' cage" refers to a physical structure that houses the cage cashiers and serves as the central location for the following: A. The custody of the cage inventory comprising currency, chips, coin, forms, documents, and records normally associated with the operation of a cage. B. Such other functions normally associated with the operation of a cage.
Casino	"Casino" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001 (5-A)
Casino operator	"Casino operator" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001 (5-B)
Certification	"Certification" refers to the authorization by the Board in accordance with its inspection and approval process of slot machines and slot games, such certification to relate to either hardware or software.
Change person	"Change person" means a person who possesses an imprest inventory of currency to be used for the even exchange with patrons of currency, chips, and tickets.
Chapter	"Chapter" means any one of sections I through III of these Minimum Internal Control Standards.
Check	"Check" refers to a player's decision to waive the right to initiate the wagering, but to retain the right to call after all the other players have either wagered or folded.
Chip	"Chip" means a non-metal or partly metal representative of value, redeemable for cash, and issued and sold by a casino operator for use at table games at a casino.
Control	"Control" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(7)
Count room	"Count room" is a secure room or rooms for the counting of tickets, chips and/or currency.
Credit	"Credit" refers to the opportunity provided to a player to play a slot machine or redeem that opportunity for cash.
Credit Slip	"Credit slip" refers to a form used to record the amount of money or chips removed from a table game (i.e., table tray), or the transfer of customer deposit withdrawal from a table game to the cashiers' cage.
Dealer	"Dealer" means a trained and licensed employee who operates table games that may use electronics as part of the game's operation in connection with the collection and storage of game outcome, accounting and significant-event data.

Dealer-operated electronic table game or Dealer-operated ETG	"Dealer-operator electronic table game" or "Dealer-operated ETG" refers to an electronic table game operated by a live dealer.
Decal	"Decal" refers to the stamp or marker that is displayed on a slot machine or table game which has been certified by the Board.
Department	"Department" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(8).
Director	"Director" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(9).
Distribute	"Distribute" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(10).
Drop	"Drop" means the amount of cash and tickets in a cash storage box, or money and chips contained in the table drop boxes if applicable.
Drop box	"Drop box" refers to a locked container in a table that is permanently marked to indicate the game theme, table number and shift. All markings must be clearly visible. The container must be locked to the table, separately keyed from the container itself. All monies exchanged for chips at the table and other such items or documents as management may direct pertaining to transactions at the table must be put into the container.
Electronic table game or ETG	"Electronic table game" or "ETG" refers to a table game that is played in an electronic or electromechanical format that replicates a table game either in full or part. Electronic table games are table games and include electronic facsimiles as defined by 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(13-A). Electronic table games include both dealer-operated electronic table games and independently operated table games.
Emergency drop	"Emergency drop" means an unscheduled drop that is required due to an emergency situation.
Emergency situation	"Emergency situation" means an unplanned event that could not have been readily anticipated, jeopardizes public safety and that renders a slot machine, table game or electronic table game inoperable for play.
Employee numbers	"Employee numbers" means an operator-assigned number that identifies an employee and is used to sign all operational documents.
EPROM	"EPROM" means erasable programmable read only memory of a slot machine.
Facility based monitoring system (FBMS)	"Facility based monitoring system (FBMS)" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(13-B).
Fill slip	"Fill slip" refers to a form used to record the amount of money or chips furnished to a table game (i.e., table tray) from the cashiers' cage.
Gambling activity	"Gambling activity" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(15).
Gambling facility	"Gambling facility" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(16).
Gambling services	"Gambling services" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(17).
Gaming services vendor	"Gaming services vendor" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(18).
Game	"Game" refers to any game played on a slot machine or table game, such as a variation of poker, blackjack, line-up or mechanical reel games.
Games summary	"Games summary" refers to a form used to record, by shift and day, the individual table games winnings and/or losses. The form reflects the total count of opening and closing table tray inventories , fills and credits, drop, and win/losses per gaming table.
Gaming employee	"Gaming employee" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A 1001(20).
Gross slot machine income	"Gross slot machine income" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(21).
Gross table game income	"Gross table game income" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(21-A).
Hand	"Hand" refers to one game in a series, one deal in a card game, or the cards held by a player.
Imprest	"Imprest" refers to an advance of money.
Incompatible function	"Incompatible function" means a function, for accounting control purposes that places any person or department in a position to both perpetrate and conceal errors or irregularities in the normal course of that person's duties. Anyone recording transactions and having access to assets ordinarily is in a position to perpetrate errors or irregularities. Persons shall be deemed to have incompatible functions if such persons are members of departments that have supervisors not independent of each other.
Independently operated electronic table game or independently operated ETG	"Independently operated electronic table game" or " independently operated ETG" refers to an electronic table game that is fully automated and operates without a live dealer.
Interface element	"Interface element" is any system component external to the operation of a slot machine that assists in the collection and processing of data sent to the FBMS, such as a slot machine interface board (SMIB).
Jackpot	"Jackpot" means any money, merchandise, or thing of value to be paid to a patron as the result of a specific combination(s) of characters indicated on a slot machine.
Junket services	"Junket services" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(26).
Key employee	"Key employee" refers to an individual employee of an applicant or licensee who has the power to exercise considerable influence over significant decisions concerning the applicant's or licensee's business.
Key executive	"Key executive" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(27).

Lammer button	"Lammer button" (marker button) refers to a numbered, chip like implement placed on the gaming table indicating the amount of house chips that have been removed from a table tray during a credit slip transaction.
License	"License" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(28).
Licensee	"Licensee" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(29)
Linked progressive	"Linked progressive" refers to a group of slot machines connected by a local or central controller that all contribute to the same progressive jackpot amount. When a progressive jackpot has been won, all slot machines that are connected to the same progressive will reset.
Live gaming devices	"Live gaming devices" refers to a table game, where cards or dice are used to play the game.
Location number	"Location number" means the number assigned to an area of the floor that identifies the site where the slot machine or table game is positioned.
Machine malfunction	"Machine malfunction" means an occurrence during which an electronic or computer function of a slot machine does not operate in the manner in which it was programmed to operate. The definition does not include a mechanical malfunction, such as a paper jam.
Main bank	"Main bank" refers to a physical structure within the cashiers' cage that is designed and constructed to provide maximum security for the materials housed and the activities performed therein. It houses the cashiers and serves as the central location for the following: A. The custody and storage of currency, coin, chips, forms, documents, and records normally generated or utilized by cage cashiers, or change people. B. The exchange of currency, coin, chips, and coupons, for supporting documentation, including tickets. C. The responsibility for the overall reconciliation of all documentation generated by cage cashiers and change people. D. The receipt of coins, chips, and currency from the count rooms. E. Such other functions normally associated with the operation of the main bank.
M.E.A.L.	"M.E.A.L." refers to the Machine Entry Authorization Log. When a machine door is opened for any reason, certain information is recorded on this log. All entries made in this log should be clearly legible.
Non-routine event	"Non-routine event" refers to: A. Any suspicious or possible criminal incident that occurs on the licensee's property. B. Any incident where a patron's or employee's safety is or could be endangered. C. Any incident involving the protection of a patron or the operator's property. D. Any other type of incident that the Board or Department deems non-routine.
Operate	"Operate" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(31).
Operator	"Operator" means a casino or slot machine operator (see definition of a "Slot machine and Casino operator).
Operator monitoring system	"Operator monitoring system" refers to the hardware, software, and network components which operate each electronic table game separately or link multiple devices together.
Or above	"Or above" refers to a higher or superior employment position (manager is above a supervisor)
Owner	"Owner" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(32).
Payback percentage	"Payback percentage" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(34).
Person	"Person" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(35).
Player	"Player" means an individual who plays a slot machine or table game.
Pot	"Pot" refers to the total amount anted and wagered by players during a hand.
Premises	"Premises" means the physical enclosed structure that connects to the casino floor, including but not limited to the employee back of house areas, support areas, hotel, atriums, restaurants, lounges and does not include parking areas and garages.
Progressive jackpot	"Progressive jackpot" means a system on one or more slot machine or table games, which, in addition to normal payouts, sets aside a percentage of each bet placed for the award of a progressive jackpot. The jackpot increments every time a bet is placed on any of the designated slot machines or table games and is paid out when a pre-assigned combination is displayed.
Progressive controller	"Progressive controller" refers to hardware and software that control communications among devices that calculate the values of the progressive jackpots and display the information within a progressive gaming device link and on the associated progressive meter.
Raise	"Raise" refers to a wager made in an amount greater than the immediately preceding wager.
Rake-off	"Rake-off" refers to a percentage of the pot which may be taken by the licensee for maintaining or dealing the game. Rake-offs cannot exceed 10% of all sums anted and wagered in the hand.
Sensitive keys	"Sensitive keys" refers to the keys used to remove cash storage and drop boxes from slot machines, table games and card games; content keys used to gain access to the contents of cash storage and drop boxes and keys used for the carts to transport boxes to the count room.
Serial number	"Serial number" means a unique number assigned to a slot machine or a component that may or may not be the manufacturer's serial number for identification and control purposes.
Slot attendant	"Slot attendant" means an employee of an operator who provides machine related customer service to a patron on the gaming floor.
Slot machine	"Slot machine" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(39).
Slot machine facility	"Slot machine facility" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(41).
Slot machine operator	"Slot machine operator" Has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(42).

Slot technician	"Slot technician" means any person who performs service, maintenance, and repair operations on slot machines or table games.
Soft count	"Soft count" refers to the procedure for counting the total amount of currency and tickets.
Stake	"Stake" refers to the funds with which a player enters a game.
Stakes players	"Stakes players" refers to a person financed by the licensee to participate in a game under an arrangement or understanding where by such person is entitled to retain all or any portion of his winnings.
Statistical drop	"Statistical drop" refers to the drop plus pit credit repaid with chips.
Statistical win	"Statistical win" refers to a table games gross revenue.
Support areas	"Support areas" refers to areas supporting the financial activity on the gaming floor such as cashier cages, banks, chip windows and count and storage rooms.
Table game	"Table game" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(43-A) and includes an electronic table game.
Table tray inventory (bank)	"Table tray inventory" (bank) refers to the total of coins and chips in the table rack.
Table tray	"Table tray" refers to a receptacle used to hold the card table inventory (bank).
Ticket	"Ticket" refers to the receipt issued from a Ticket-In, Ticket-Out (TITO) slot machine for payment of credits. A ticket may be presented for redemption by or on behalf of a patron in lieu of cash for game play on a slot machine. Once redeemed by the slot machine operator, the ticket becomes supporting documentation or accounting purposes.
Time	"Time" refers to the 24-hour military time.
Time buy- in	"Time buy-in" refers to a charge to a player, determined on a time basis, by the licensee for the right to participate in a game.
Uniform location agreement	"Uniform location agreement" has the same meaning as set forth in 8 M.R.S.A § 1001(44) and as further defined by the rules of the Gambling Control Board.
Verifier	"Verifier" refers to any licensed slot operations employee who witnesses and signs a document confirming an approved transaction as permitted in these Minimum Internal Control Standards.
Vigorish (commissions)	"Vigorish" (commissions) refers to a commission (usually 5-10% of the wager) charged and retained by the casino for certain bets, including betting on the banker's hand in baccarat and buy and lay bets in craps (similar to a rake in poker).
Win	"Win" means the amount determined by subtracting the coin out from the coin in or by subtracting the ticket out and hand pays from the total of the ticket in cash in.

Maine Department of Public Safety

Maine Gambling Control Unit

Glossary of Casino Terms