As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them:
DISTRIBUTOR
Any person who owns or distributes any such machine.
MECHANICAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE
Any machine which, upon the insertion of a coin, slug or
token or upon payment of a charge, releases balls which are propelled
by a plunger across a board and which registers scores by striking
pins, levers or bumpers or by falling into holes or slots or which,
upon insertion of a coin or slug or the payment of a charge, is operated
to register a score or tally of any kind. It shall include such devices
as pinball or pin-game machines.
OPERATOR
Any person in whose place of business any such machine is
placed for use by the public.
The Chief of Police shall investigate the character
and record of the applicant and the location wherein it is proposed
to operate the machines described in the application and shall not
approve said application or issue a license unless he finds that the
applicant is over 21 years of age and is a person of good moral character
and that the business or activity in such location is a bona fide
and lawful one. In any case of the denial or refusal to grant or renew
a license, the Chief of Police shall notify the applicant of his proposed
action and set a day and place for a hearing thereon, giving the applicant
reasonable notice in advance thereof and an opportunity to be represented
by counsel at such hearing.
The licenses herein provided for shall be posted
permanently and conspicuously at the location of the machine or device
in the premises wherein the machine or device is to be operated or
maintained.
The Chief of Police shall have the power to
revoke any license issued hereunder for cause, after due notice, in
writing, to the licensee and a hearing to be held not less than 10
days after the date of such notice. Cause shall be deemed to include,
but shall not be limited to, conviction of a crime involving moral
turpitude subsequent to the issuance of the license, false information
in the application for a license knowingly given or any violation
of this chapter.
Nothing in this chapter shall in any way be
construed to authorize or permit any gambling device whatsoever or
any mechanism that has been judicially determined to be a gambling
device or in any way contrary to law.
[Amended 3-20-1995]
Each operator and each servant, agent and employee
of each operator shall maintain good order in his place of business
and not permit any such mechanical amusement device to be used for
gambling. No operator of any mechanical amusement device and no servant,
agent or employee of any such operator shall harbor in his place of
business persons under 18 years of age or allow them to congregate
therein or play any such machines or devices unless accompanied by
their parents or guardians. The provision herein stated related to
parental accompaniment may be waived for any operator having been
granted a special permit as defined under Article XXXII of the Zoning
Ordinance of the Town of Wethersfield.
[Added 8-15-2005]
This chapter has been specifically designated for enforcement by citations issued by designated municipal officers or employees, and the citation hearing procedure established by Chapter
73, Article
I, of the Code of the Town of Wethersfield shall be followed.