(1) Upon receipt of an application for a gambling license, the department must make a thorough investigation as to the qualifications of the applicant for licensure. If, upon conclusion of such investigation, the applicant appears qualified under the law, a license must be issued if all requirements of the law and these rules are fulfilled.

(2) If the department issues a gambling operator license prior to approval of a premises under 23-5-117, MCA:

(a) the licensee must, within six months of the license approval, electronically submit an application for premises approval, which the department will investigate under standards outlined in 23-5-117, MCA; and

(b) the licensee may not offer any gambling activity until the premises has been approved.

(3) The department may consider the same matters, conditions, and qualifications for renewal of a gambling license as for the original application.