[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Westville 4-14-1981 (Ch. 33 of the 1974 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Curfew — See Ch. 148.
Licenses and permits — See Ch. 217.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AMUSEMENT GAME
Any machine which may be operated by the public for entertainment or amusement, whether the machine is coin-operated or not, and whether or not it registers, scores or tallies. Examples of amusement games are pinball machines, bowling machines, mechanical grab machines, skee-ball machines, pokerino machines, commercial pool tables, jukeboxes, video games and similar devices. This enumeration is intended to be typical and shall not be construed as exclusive.
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PERSON
Any person, firm or corporation.
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Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
No person shall maintain, operate or possess in any store, building or other place wherein the public is invited or where the public may enter or in any building or other place wherein any club or organization meetings are held within the Borough of Westville any amusement game without first obtaining a license therefor.
A. 
The annual license fee for such amusement games, pool tables or machines shall be $100 payable in advance for the calendar year in which it is issued.
B. 
The annual license fee for such coin music, commonly called a "jukebox," shall be $10.
A. 
The Borough Clerk shall cause to be prepared the necessary forms of application for a license to maintain such amusement games, which application shall state the name and address of the applicant; the exact location for which the license is sought and where the amusement game is to be installed; the kind or type, the serial number and description of each amusement game for which the license is sought; and the name and address of the person owning each amusement game. The applicant shall state on the application form whether or not the applicant has been convicted of a crime or violation of any federal, state or local law. The applicant shall provide such other information as the governing body shall deem necessary and proper.
B. 
A separate application shall be required for each store, building or other place wherein the public is invited or may enter and where amusement games are maintained, operated or possessed.
C. 
The license fee shall accompany each application filed, and if the application is denied, the license fee shall be returned to the applicant.
[Amended 10-27-1986; 7-11-1989]
The proprietor of the premises where the amusement game is to be installed shall be the applicant for the license herein required. The application must be signed by the applicant. Upon receipt of the application, the Borough Clerk shall refer the same to the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police shall make an investigation of the premises and of the applicant to determine the truth of the facts set forth in the application. The Borough Clerk shall also refer the application to the Fire Official, who shall inspect the premises to determine whether said premises complies with the existing fire regulations of the Borough of Westville. The Chief of Police and the Fire Official, upon completion of the inspections, shall attach to said application their reports thereon in writing. Upon receipt of said application and inspection reports, the governing body of the Borough of Westville shall proceed to consider the same and shall either approve or disapprove the issuance of the license to said applicant. If the application is approved, the governing body shall authorize the Borough Clerk to issue the necessary license upon receipt of the license fee or fees as herein provided.
[Added 4-10-1984]
Since there is no minimum age for entry into a licensed premises and since the public policy of this state, as set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:34-3, is to prohibit the display or distribution of materials considered obscene, as defined by statute, therefore, the licensee shall prohibit any amusement game or other such amusement device to be operated on the premises, which game or device displays the subject matter or material that would be defined pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:34-3 as "obscene material," or the display of materials or matter depicting or constituting an act of obscenity. Likewise, any person who shall use or permit to be used this type of game or device in violation of this section shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter and shall be penalized therefor as provided herein.
Any time after the granting of said license, the governing body may, in the exercise of its discretion, revoke the same for any willful false statement in the application. Said license may be revoked in the event that the licensee shall be convicted of any violation of this chapter.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall prohibit the holder of the license herein provided for from substituting an amusement game at the location set forth in such license, provided that the holder give written notice to the Borough Clerk setting forth the description and serial number of the game removed and the description and serial number of the game substituted therefor.
Every such license shall apply only to the person to whom it was granted and for the premises stated in the application and on the license and shall not be transferable unless the governing body approves of such transfer in writing.
A. 
Curfew. No person holding a license under the provisions of this chapter shall knowingly permit any minor under the age of 18 years, unaccompanied or not within the custody and control of a parent or guardian, to remain on the premises after 9:30 p.m., prevailing time, unless said minor is waiting for a person over the age of 18 years to transport that minor from the premises.
B. 
Hours. The operation or playing of amusement games shall not be permitted between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., prevailing time.
A license granted pursuant to this chapter shall:
A. 
Be posted in a conspicuous place at the location for which said license was granted.
B. 
Show the name and post office address of the licensee.
C. 
State the manufacturer's serial number for each and every amusement game for which said license was issued.
D. 
State that only those amusement games enumerated on the face of the license are licensed by the Borough of Westville.
Any person who shall use or permit to be used any of the amusement games licensed hereunder for the purpose of gambling shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter and penalized therefor as herein provided. The governing body may, in its discretion, revoke the license or licenses if the amusement game is used or permitted to be used for the purpose of gambling.
A. 
All licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall expire at midnight on December 31 next succeeding the date of the issuance thereof, and all persons, firms, associations, partnerships or corporations desiring to continue in such business after the expiration of any license granted hereunder shall make application before November 15 for a new license for the ensuing year and shall pay the application and license fees in like manner and amount as for the review and issuance of the original license.
B. 
The governing body may withhold issuance or renewal of any license for the violation of any of the terms of this chapter. However, no issuance or renewal shall be withheld unless five days' notice in writing is given the licensee and a hearing of the charges presented.
Any persons who own or lease amusement games covered by this chapter and who are nonprofit, charitable or religious organizations or similar other organizations are exempted from the requirements of obtaining a license or licenses upon said amusement games.
The purpose of this chapter is to license those amusement games which are operated in a commercial venture for the purpose of making a profit and for their regulation and control.
Every firm or corporation violating any provision of this chapter or who fails to comply therewith shall severally for each and every violation and noncompliance pay a penalty as set forth in Chapter 1, Article I, § 1-15, General penalty. Each day a violation exists under this chapter shall constitute a separate offense under this chapter. The application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent any proceeding for suspension or revocation of licenses.
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Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).