Commission initiates rulemaking to evaluate equipment‑assisted card delivery (self‑dealing) poker tables

The Gambling Commission on March 12 voted to initiate rulemaking to evaluate equipment‑assisted card delivery (self‑dealing) poker tables after hearing from petitioner Cassidy (Cassie) Thomas, a dealer with roughly 25 years of experience.

Thomas said she developed a working prototype that automates the under‑table delivery of pre‑packaged card packets in a three‑deck rotation, while keeping a dealer present to cut and oversee play. "It's basically an automation of the delivery of cards ... it just speeds up the dead time eliminating about 17 seconds per hand," Thomas said, adding that the design preserves the dealer's role and the integrity of the dealt cards.

Tricia Galyan and staff explained that initiating rulemaking would allow the agency to evaluate equipment under WAC review and to inspect the device, test functionality, security, player protections and communications, seek stakeholder and tribal comment, and return draft rules to the commission for further review. Staff cautioned that initiation does not equal approval of a particular machine.

A commissioner moved to initiate rulemaking to evaluate such equipment and the motion was seconded. Commissioners voted 'aye' and the motion carried. Staff said any rules developed would be presented multiple times and include stakeholder vetting before the commission reaches a final decision on authorization of equipment.