Information for punch board and pull-tab operators

The following information may be helpful to operators that offer punch boards and pull-tabs to their customers.

Removing games from play

There are no rules that require you to leave games in or pull games from play. However, you may want to consider:

  • The cost of the game versus the amount of profit you hope to make before pulling it
  • Public relations and the possibility of conflict if a game is pulled while customers are actively playing.

Acceptable forms of ID

While gambling rules don't address what is acceptable identification, it's good practice to either:

  • Accept ID that meets the Liquor & Cannabis Board's standards, or
  • Accept ID that assures that you, as a licensee, have no question as to the identity of the winner (for example, what you would accept from someone cashing a check).

Reserving games

  • You must post house rules that spell out how and when customers can reserve games
  • You must also post a sign on the flare that someone has reserved a game
  • If the game and flare remain up and visible to other players, you can either return the game to or immediately pull it from play.

Holding games

Holding a game is like reserving a game, with some important exceptions:

  • If you "hold" a game, you may remove it from the dispensing device and from public view
  • You may not hold it for more than 7 days without any play, or more than 14 days overall
  • Once the player is finished, you may not put the game back into public play, but must pull it
  • You cannot hold more than 25 games at a time.

Displaying prizes

  • Display merchandise prizes in plain view and in the immediate vicinity of the punch board or pull-tab series
  • If size or space constraints do not allow you to display the prize, you may display the prize elsewhere on the premises as long as there is a specific reference to that prize printed on the flare
  • If you can't display the prize on the premises, you must display an accurate description and/or photograph of the prize in plain view on or immediately adjacent to the flare.

Deleting prizes from flare

You must delete prizes in a manner that would allow a person sitting on the other side of your bar and in the light available to easily see that a specific prize is no longer available. You can do this with stickers or permanent marker. If you use stickers, you must also use a permanent marker under the sticker (in case it falls off or someone removes it).

Defacing symbols

Winning punchboards or pull tabs over $20 must be permanently defaced to prevent someone from trying to use the winning symbols to defraud you or another licensee.  You can do this by using a pen or marker and drawing a conspicuous line through the winning symbols, while still allowing the symbols to be determined.  You must deface the symbols within 24 hours after it is presented for payment.  However we encourage you to deface the symbols immediately following the redemption process.

Preventing minors from playing

Persons under the age of 18 are prohibited from selling or playing. It is your responsibility to see that no person under 18 years of age is allowed to play or sell pull-tabs.

  • Although the opening of pull-tabs may not be "playing," there are some important public perception issues involved if you allow this activity
  • We encourage you to discourage the practice whenever possible, and specifically not to pay out the prize to any minors who present tickets to you.

Storage

You can use a service to store your games and complete your records. However, be aware that if there happens to be a mistake in recordkeeping, you, as a licensee, are responsible for the mistake.

Many dead game services must have a valid license from us, but this depends on the level of service they are providing to you. Check with your local WSGC agent before signing any contracts with such a service to see if they need a license.

You must retain and keep intact all unsold tickets. If a field agent does an audit, you must be able to account for all unsold tickets, or you will be responsible for reporting them as if they were sold.

Dispensing

You must dispense pull-tabs from a dispenser we have approved or a clear container that allows players to view the remaining tickets to estimate the number of chances remaining. If the container is in a position that allows a view of the tabs from a side view, we have determined that it meets the rule requirements.

Disposal

There is no formal rule regarding how you must dispose of used boards or series.

  • We recommend that you dispose of them in a manner that will not allow someone to use the unclaimed winners to defraud you or another licensee (we recommend soaking or burning)
  • You should establish and post a house rule that covers the removal of pull-tabs from your premises to prevent complaints.

Theft or fraud

  • If you suspect theft or fraud, immediately call your local law enforcement agency
  • After the initial law enforcement contact, call your local WSGC agent so they can follow up with law enforcement.