(1) Before conducting business in this state, a vendor of tier I or tier II automated accounting and reporting systems must obtain a license from the department. An applicant for a license must submit to the department:

(a) application for an accounting system vendor license using Form 17, with special instructions, and Form FD-258 are available from the Gambling Control Division, 2550 Prospect Ave., P.O. Box 201424, Helena, MT 59620-1424;

(b) Form 10 for all applicants as described in ARM 23.16.102;

(c) a complete set of fingerprints, on Form FD-258 provided by the department, obtained and certified by a local law enforcement agency, the department, or a private security company approved by the department for each person required to complete a personal history statement;

(d) financial statements for the applicant's business as described in ARM 23.16.502; and

(e) a check or money order for $1,500 made payable to the State Treasurer, which includes payment for the:

(i) $500 annual license fee; and

(ii) $1,000 processing fee to cover the actual cost of processing the license.

(2) Based on the actual cost incurred by the department in determining whether the applicant qualifies for licensure, the department will refund any overpayment of the processing fee or collect an amount sufficient to reimburse the department for any underpayment of actual costs. If an applicant withdraws the application after the department has begun processing the application, the department will refund any amount not expended as of the date of withdrawal.

(3) The department may waive the application and processing fee if the applicant is licensed as an operator, distributor, manufacturer of legal or illegal devices, or a route operator, and if the applicant is substantially the same and has not added strangers to the license.