[Adopted 6-23-1982 by Ord. No. 1982-11 (Ch. 108, Art. III,
of the 1995 Code)]
This is an article to regulate and license automatic amusement
devices and music vending machines within the Township of Riverside.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
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,
including but not limited to such devices as marble machines, pinball
machines, skill ball, mechanical grab machines and all games, operations
or transactions similar thereto under whatever name they may be indicated.
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.
This article shall cover token- or coin-operated viewing booths with
film or live show. This article shall also apply to music-playing
devices.
Any person who supplies any automatic amusement device to
another for use in his premises, whether under lease or any similar
arrangement.
Any person in whose premises any automatic amusement device
is placed or kept for operation.
Any persons, firm, corporation, partnership or association.
The purpose of this article is to license, regulate and control
those automatic amusement devices which are operated for the purpose
of making a profit. The objective of this article is to regulate the
business of amusement devices so as to prevent nuisances to patrons
and the public, fire hazards from overcrowding, poor ingress and egress
at premises where amusement devices are located in promotion of gambling,
loitering or the creation of an unhealthy atmosphere for the youth
of the community or other foreseeable undesirable effects of such
devices.
A.
Permit; license required. No person shall maintain, operate or possess
in any store, building or other place where individuals may enter
or wherein any club or organization meetings are held within the Township
of Riverside any automatic amusement devices without first obtaining
a license therefor.
B.
Music-playing device.
C.
All machines or devices in operation at the time of this article
will be subject to renewal fees the following year.
A.
All applications for a license under this article shall be made and
delivered to the office of the Construction Official on forms to be
supplied for the purpose and shall be subscribed and sworn to by the
applicant.
B.
The application for the license shall contain the following:
(1)
The name and address of the applicant.
(2)
The name under which the place is being operated and the location
of the same.
(3)
The number and type of alcoholic beverage license, where applicable.
(4)
The number and type of machines sought to be licensed.
(5)
Two copies of site plan showing where each automatic amusement game
is to be located, of at least 1/4 inch equals one foot scale.
(6)
The name and address of the person from whom each device is to be
purchased, rented or otherwise obtained.
(7)
A description of each automatic amusement game sought to be licensed,
including for each device the name of the manufacturer, model number
and serial number.
(8)
The terms of the agreement governing the acquisition and installation
of said automatic amusement game.
(9)
Information indicating whether the distributor, the applicant or
any person connected with the operation of the place wherein the game
or device is to be installed has ever been convicted of any crime
or found guilty of the violation of any ordinance pertaining to gambling
or gaming.
(10)
Any other information which the Construction Official, Police
Chief or subcode officials may deem reasonably necessary and proper
for the full protection of the interest of the patrons or the public
in the application.
A.
The number of automatic amusement devices that may be located in
any one location shall be governed by the physical space available
in any business location for the use of said devices, not to exceed
three devices.
B.
The following rules shall govern the location within all business
premises of automatic amusement devices:
(1)
Each device shall be located at least 10 feet from the entranceway
to the premises in which located and placed so that it does not obstruct
or interfere with the free and unobstructed passage to and from the
premises of patrons or users of the premises.
(2)
Each device shall have an unobstructed perimeter zone or distance
of four feet around the sides of the three linear borders of said
device wherein the users of said device may use, watch or wait to
use said device. The area which is required hereunder for each such
machine shall not be encroached upon by the area of any other machine.
It is the intent of this article that for purposes of preventing overcrowding
and assuring safe passage of the general public, each machine shall
have its own unobstructed perimeter zone.
C.
No games subject to this article may be operated within 500 feet
of a school, up to the 12th grade, or house of worship. The distance
shall be measured for similar restrictions imposed and as interpreted
for alcoholic beverage licensed premises by the Alcoholic Beverage
Commission. This section of this article shall not be constructed
to require the removal of any automatic amusement devices which are
in place as of the effective date of this article.
A.
No person shall, in his place of business, permit gambling in connection
with the playing of any mechanical amusement game.
B.
An automatic amusement device may only be used or operated during
the hours of operation of the premises in which located and when the
operator or an employee of the operator is present in the premises.
[Amended 3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-4]
The Director of Public Safety or his designee may make an investigation
of the premises and the applicant to determine the truth of the facts
set forth in the application. The Construction Official, subcode officials
or his designee may inspect the premises to determine whether said
premises comply with existing building regulations of the Township
of Riverside. The Director of Public Safety and the Construction Official
may, upon completion of their inspection, attach to said application
their reports therein in writing. Upon receipt of said application
and inspection reports, if any, the governing body shall proceed to
consider the same and shall either approve or disapprove the issuance
of the license to said applicant. If the applicant is approved, the
Township Committee authorizes the Construction Official to issue the
necessary license upon the receipt of the license fee or fees as herein
provided.
A.
Revocation of license. Any time after the granting of said license,
the Director of Public Safety, Construction Official or their designees,
in the reasonable exercise of his discretion, may revoke the same
if, after hearing, he finds:
[Amended 3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-4]
(1)
Gambling on the premises.
(2)
False or incorrect material on the application or information furnished
by the applicant.
(3)
Failure to maintain good and safe conduct on the premises.
(4)
Violation of the laws of the State of New Jersey, of this article
or other ordinances of the Township of Riverside.
(5)
The presence of the machines result in gambling, obscene and loud
language disturbing to the public or to other patrons of the premises,
creating of a nuisance, excessive noise, litter, traffic or rowdyism
by the patrons.
C.
Any person who shall permit a minor under the age of 16 years to
play or operate any video machine, pinball machine or other mechanized
device of any kind or nature licensed by this article shall be deemed
to be guilty of a violation of this article and punishable as hereinafter
provided.
[Added 4-13-1983 by Ord. No. 1983-3]
[Amended 4-13-1983 by Ord. No. 1983-3; 9-25-1995 by Ord. No.
1995-10; 8-23-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-18]
