The purpose of this chapter is:
A. To license, regulate and control those automatic amusement
devices which are operated for the purpose of making a profit
B. To prevent dishonest business practices by requiring
persons intending to engage in the business referred to in this chapter to
provide preliminary information to be licensed and to conform to the provisions
hereof.
C. To regulate the business of amusement devices so as to
prevent nuisances to patrons and the public, fire hazards from overcrowding
and poor ingress and egress at premises where amusement devices are located.
D. To prohibit gambling, loitering or the creation of an
unhealthy atmosphere for the youth of the community or other foreseeable undesirable
effects of such devices.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AUTOMATIC AMUSEMENT DEVICE
Any machine which, upon the insertion of a coin, slug, token, plate
or disc, may be operated by the public generally for use as a game, entertainment
or amusement, whether or not registering a score. These devices shall include,
but shall not be limited to, pinball machines, mechanical grab machines, air
hockey, rifle or pistol target shooting, not requiring use of slugs or bullets
but using only electronic transmissions to register or score, pool, billiards,
marble machines, simulated motor vehicle operations, aptitude testings, strength
testings, computer and/or electronic games. This list is intended to be illustrative
only, and the term "coin-operated and non-coin-operated amusement machine
or device" shall include all games, machines or devices of a similar nature.
regardless of what name may be given to them. This definition specifically
excludes nonamusement machines which are in the nature of vending machines
in supplying such items, such as food, beverage, cigarettes, novelties or
other such items for sale, and such machines are not intended to be included
within this definition. It shall include video-type games or machines or similar
devices that use a display screen for points, lines and dots of light that
can be manipulated to simulate games or other types of entertainment. It shall
not include, nor shall this chapter apply to, music-playing devices.
DISTRIBUTOR
Any person who supplies any automatic amusement device to another
for use in his premises, whether under lease or any similar arrangement.
OPERATOR
Any person in whose premises any automatic amusement device is placed
or kept for operation.
PERSON
Any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association.
It shall be unlawful to maintain, use, operate or conduct in any public
or quasi-public place or in any building, store or other place wherein the
public is invited or wherein the public may enter in the Borough or to permit
such maintenance, use, operation or conduct of any automatic amusement game
or device, unless the owner of the game or device has first obtained a license
for that purpose from the Mayor and Council.
[Amended 2-16-1988 by Ord. No. 3-88]
Any person who violates any provision of the chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable as provided in Chapter
1, §
1-16, of this Code. Each day that a violation occurs or is committed shall constitute a separate offense.