There is hereby assessed against the operator of each coin-operated machine, as defined in V.T.C.A., Occupations Code, chapter 2153, in the city, an occupation tax of one-fourth (1/4) of the state tax, per year, per machine. The occupation tax imposed hereby shall be due and payable to the city tax collector at the time the operator pays the annual state tax on each coin-operated machine.
(Ordinance adopting 1996 Code; 1996 Code, art. 4.200; Ordinance adopting 2022 Code)
(a) 
Findings of council.
The city council finds that electronic or coin-in-slot operated devices of various types present problems to law enforcement since such devices may be adapted or misused for the purpose of conducting lotteries or gambling; that the prohibition of play by minors of such devices presents difficult policing problems; that therefore all such devices with certain specific exceptions should be prohibited within the limits of the city regardless of any element of skill involved, and regardless of any intention to use such devices of amusement only.
(b) 
Prohibited.
It hereby is unlawful for any person to maintain, control, operate, use or play or permit to be maintained, controlled, operated, used or played within the limits of the city, either as operator, user or player or as proprietor, lessee, employee or agent, any electronic or coin-in-the-slot operated mechanical game or device or other device of like character regardless of whether such game or device be operated or played for a profit or prize or for further operation or play, or for the display or exercise of skill or for amusement, and whether or not any element of skill is involved in any way in said operation, use or play.
(c) 
Penalty.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this section, shall upon conviction thereof in the municipal court of the city, be punished in accordance with the general penalty provided in section 1.01.009 of this code.
(Ordinance adopted 8/24/21; Ordinance adopting 2022 Code)