As used in this article, unless the context otherwise indicates, the
following words and terms shall have the meanings given herein.
JUKEBOX
Any music vending machine, contrivance or device which, upon the
insertion of a coin, slug, token, plat, disc or key into any slot, crevice
or other opening, or by the payment of any price, operates or may be operated
for the emission of songs, music or similar amusement.
MECHANICAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE
Any machine, which upon the insertion of a coin, slug, token, place
or disc, may be operated by the public generally for use as a game, entertainment
or amusement, whether or not registering a score. It shall include such devices
as marble machines, pinball machines, skill ball, mechanical grab machines,
mechanical bowling machines, video amusement devices and all games, operation
or transactions similar thereto under whatever name they may be designated.
OPERATOR
Any person in whose place of business any machine jukebox or automatic
amusement device is displayed for public patronage or is placed or kept for
operation by the public.
OWNER-OPERATOR
Any person who owns and operates any machine jukebox or automatic
amusement device.
SITE
The building or other premises any jukebox or automatic amusement
device is placed for operation.
WEIGHING MACHINE
A mechanical device which, upon the insertion of a coin or slug,
records the weight of the person using the device.
Nothing in this article shall in any way be construed to authorize,
license 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, or that may be contrary to any future laws of the State of New Jersey,
including any mechanical amusement device that dispenses any kind of payoff,
prize or reward.
If the Police Director shall have reason to believe an automatic amusement
device is used as a gambling device, the machine may be seized by the police
and impounded. If upon trial of the operator for allowing the machine to be
used as a gambling device the operator shall be found guilty, the machine
shall be destroyed by the police. Revocation and seizure are in addition to
all other penalties.
Each license issued pursuant to this article shall be subject to revocation and the number of machines previously licensed shall be subject to reduction by revocation or by denial of application for renewal whenever the City Council shall determine, following a public hearing, that the revocation or nonrenewal of any such license is necessary to the preservation and protection of the public health, safety and welfare. The City Council shall make such determination upon the basis and in the manner provided for under Chapter
146, Licensing.
Failure to obtain the requisite distribution, operation or site licenses shall subject the distributor, owner or operator of an automatic amusement device or machine jukebox to a penalty as provided in Chapter
1, Article
III, General Penalty.