[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Middletown 8-4-1997 by Ord.
No. 97-2479 as Ch. 263 of the 1996 Township Code.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any machine that is operated by placing a coin in the slot
that is used for amusement or that is used for the purpose of distributing
merchandise (but specifically not including food, beverages or ice)
or is used for weighing persons or performing similar or other kinds
of services upon the placing of a coin in the slot, and all kinds
of machines for said purposes with mechanical operation that furnish
any sort of amusement, mechanical or service whatsoever in return
for a coin placed in said machine.
To have, keep or maintain upon any premises in the Township
any of the vending machines hereinabove described which are in a place
of business or any public place open to the public where such machines
shall be available to the public, and the word "operate" in connection
with such machines shall apply to both the owner of said machines
and the owners or occupants of the premises upon which such machines
may be located.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or maintain any
amusement, vending, novelty or other machine without first obtaining
a license therefor as hereinafter provided.
[Amended 8-4-1997 by Ord.
No. 97-2479]
The license fee for each such amusement, vending, novelty or other kind of machine shall be as set forth in Chapter 240, Fees.
License issued under this chapter shall expire on December 31
of the year for which it is issued, and the fee paid shall be only
for such year or portion of the year, regardless of the time the license
is issued.
The license fee shall be paid to the Township Clerk, who shall
issue such license and issue an identification sticker with a number
and the year of the license which shall be affixed to said machine.
The person who obtains such license shall have the same identification
sticker displaying the number and the year of the license affixed
to said machine, and failure to display said identification sticker
on said machine shall be equivalent to operating without any such
license having been issued.
[Amended 7-13-1982 by Ord. No. 1509]
Nothing in this chapter shall be intended to include any telephone
instrument operated by a slot machine or gas meter operated by a slot
machine or any other automatic slot machine meter of any public utility
or any machine operated by a nonprofit educational organization as
an educational device.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to mean that any
rights are herein granted to anyone whatsoever to operate any gambling
machine or device of any kind whatsoever, and any slot machine or
other machine that is a gambling machine or of a gambling nature is
not covered by the terms of this chapter and is prohibited.
[Amended 8-22-1988 by Ord. No. 2063; 5-1-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-2876]
In addition to the penalties for the violation of this chapter,
the Police Department, upon finding that such machine covered by this
chapter is operated without a license, shall have the right to take
the same in the possession of the Township and hold the same pending
the prosecution of the person operating the same.
