[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Bridgeport 10-6-1942 by Ord. No. 170, approved 10-6-1942 (Ch.
45 of the 1975 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
From and after the effective date of this chapter,
it shall be unlawful for any person or persons, firms or corporations,
either as principal or agent, hereinafter called the "operator," to
have, keep and maintain for purposes of operation, cause to be available
for operation or permit to be operated within his or their control
anywhere within the Borough of Bridgeport, whether on public or private
property, any pinball machine, machines operated as games of skill
or other machines played for amusement, if a fee is charged for the
privilege of using such machines or games, without first having obtained
a license therefor from the Borough Secretary.
[Amended 2-14-1984 by Ord. No. 475, approved 2-14-1984; 12-13-1988 by Ord. No. 505, approved 12-13-1988[1]]
The operator shall pay for said license the
sum as set from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council
for each machine for each calendar year or fraction thereof; provided,
however, that said license shall not be transferable from one owner
or operator to another and provided further that an operator shall
not be required to secure a new license when one machine is replaced
by another, so long as the operator is licensed to operate the total
number of machines he may have under his control for purposes of operation.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance removed specific
fees from the Borough's Code; the current fees resolution of the Borough
is on file in the office of the Borough Secretary.
The Borough police, under the direction of the
Mayor, shall make periodical inspections of machines so licensed.
Licenses granted under this chapter shall at
all times be exhibited conspicuously in the place or establishment
where such machines are kept or maintained.
The Mayor, after affording a hearing to any
such licensee, of which said hearing said licensee shall have at least
48 hours' notice, may suspend any license herein granted either temporarily
or for the balance of the license year, when he deems it to be of
benefit to the public health, safety or morals. Whenever any such
license shall be suspended for the balance of the licensed year, the
unearned license fee shall be returned to the operator.
[Amended 8-12-1975 by Ord. No. 419, approved 8-15-1975; 3-14-1989 by Ord. No.
507, approved 3-14-1989[1]]
Any person who shall be convicted of a violation
of any of the provisions of this chapter before any Magisterial District
Judge shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $600 and costs
of prosecution or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not
to exceed 30 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The continuation
of such violation for each successive day shall constitute a separate
offense, and the person or persons allowing or permitting the continuation
of the violation may be punished as provided above for such separate
offense.
