[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Swedesboro 4-10-1945 (Ch. 51 of the 1982 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fees — See Ch. 140.
Poolrooms and billiard halls — See Ch. 235.
[Amended 2-15-1982[1]]
This chapter is enacted for the purpose of regulating and controlling amusement games and machines known and designated as "electric crane machines," "electronic games," "video games," "pinball games" or coin music boxes commonly called "jukeboxes."
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
No person, firm or corporation shall maintain, operate or possess in any store, building or other place wherein the public is invited or where the public may enter or any building or other place wherein any club or organization meetings are held within the Borough of Swedesboro any amusement game or games or machines of the type commonly known as "electric crane machines," "electronic games," "video games" or "pinball machines" or any coin music boxes for the playing of music commonly called "jukeboxes" without first obtaining a license therefor.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[Amended 12-28-1970[1]]
The annual license fee for such coin music boxes commonly called a "jukebox" shall be as set forth in Chapter 140, Fees, payable in advance for the calendar year in which it is issued.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
The Borough Clerk shall cause to be prepared the necessary forms of application for license to maintain such games, machines or boxes, which application shall state the name and address of the applicant; the exact location where the game, machine or box is to be installed; the kind of game, machine or box; and shall state whether or not the applicant has been convicted of a crime or violation of any federal, state or local laws and such other information as the Borough Council shall deem necessary and proper. A separate application shall be required for each game, machine or box. The license fee shall accompany each application filed, and if the application is denied, the fee shall be returned to the applicant.
The proprietor of the premises where the game, machine or box 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 and the Chief of the Fire Department, who shall make or cause to be made an inspection of the premises described in the application. The Chief of Police and the Chief of the Fire Department, upon completion of their inspection, shall attach to said application their reports thereon in writing, which shall also state their approval or disapproval and the reasons therefor. Upon receipt of said application and inspection reports, the Borough Council of the Borough of Swedesboro 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 Borough Council shall authorize the Borough Clerk to issue the necessary license upon receipt of the license fee or fees as herein provided.
At any time after the granting of said license, the Borough Council 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 games and machines mentioned in § 84-1 from substituting a game or machine at the location set forth in such license, but at no time shall more than one game or machine be operated under one license.
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 Borough Council approves of such transfer in writing.
No person under the age of 16 years of age shall be permitted to play or operate any of said electric crane machines, electronic games, video games or pinball amusement games or machines.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
[Amended 5-6-1952; 7-1-1957; 4-19-1982]
The operation or playing of all types of games, machines or boxes mentioned herein shall not be permitted between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. in the morning.
Said license, when granted, shall be affixed in a conspicuous place to the game, machine or box for which it was issued and shall show the name and post office address of the licensee; the manufacturer's serial number of the game, machine or box; and the amount required to operate said game, machine or box and shall state that the game, machine or box to which the same is affixed is licensed by the Borough of Swedesboro.
Any person, firm or corporation who shall use or permit to be used any of the games, machines or boxes licensed hereunder for the purpose of gambling shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter and penalized therefor as herein provided. The Borough Council may, in its discretion, revoke the license or licenses if the game, machine or box is used or permitted to be used for the purpose of gambling.
[Amended 2-15-1982]
Any person found in violation of any provisions of this chapter, upon conviction thereof, shall be penalized by a fine in any sum not exceeding $500 or, in default of the payment of such fine, may be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both, as may be fixed in the discretion of the Judge. Any corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, pay a fine not exceeding $500 which may be recovered by the manner provided by law.