Borough of Royersford, PA Amusement Devices

Any amusement machine or device operated by means of the insertion of a coin, token, slug, or similar object which operates or may be operated as a game or contest of skill or amusement of any kind or description for the playing of which a fee is charged. A "coin-operated amusement device" is hereby further defined as any machine, apparatus, or contrivance which is used, or which may be used, as a game of skill and amusement wherein or whereby the player initiates, employs or directs any force generated by the machine. The term "coin-operated amusement device" is also hereby defined to be and shall include each machine for the reproduction of music or vending recorded music or a period of radio or television entertainment in return for the insertion or deposit therein of a coin, or of tokens or slugs; provided, however, that this does not include coin-operated radios or television sets in private quarters.

PERSON

Any natural person, partnership, firm or corporation. The singular shall include the plural and the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter.

POOL ROOM, BILLIARD ROOM, GAME ROOM OR ARCADE

Any pool room, billiard room, game room or arcade, to which the public is admitted either free of charge or upon payment of a fee. The term "game room or arcade" shall also apply to any establishment or place of business open to the public, either free of charge or upon payment of a fee, wherein there are three or more coin-operated amusement devices.

§ 129-2 Annual permit and fee required.

[Amended 10-30-1990 by Ord. No. 715]

Pool table or billiard table.

(1)

No person, firm or corporation shall operate, maintain or conduct any pool table or billiard table, without having first obtained a permit from the Borough Secretary or other Borough official. Applications shall be made to the Borough Secretary. Applications for such permits shall be in writing and state thereon the location and number of pool tables and billiard tables.

(2)

The fee for such permit is fixed at the rate as established from time to time by the Borough Council. The permit fee shall be payable in advance. The fee shall be paid to the Borough Secretary or Treasurer, and shall be for the use of the Borough.

Coin-operated amusement devices.

(1)

Reproduction of music or vending recorded music, radio or television entertainment. No person, firm or corporation shall operate, maintain or conduct any establishment which permits the reproduction of music or vending recorded music, radio or television entertainment without having first obtained a permit from the Borough Secretary or other Borough official. Applications shall be made to the Borough Secretary. Applications for such permits shall be in writing and shall state thereon the intended location of the place of business and the number of coin-operated amusement devices for the reproduction of music or vending recorded music, radio or television entertainment. The fee for such permit is fixed at the rate as established from time to time by the Borough Council. The permit fee shall be payable in advance. The fee shall be paid to the Borough Secretary or Treasurer, and shall be for the use of the Borough.

(2)

Amusement machines or devices. No person, firm or corporation shall operate, maintain or conduct any place of business or establishment or premises upon which is maintained any coin-operated amusement device by way of amusement machine or device without having first obtained a permit from the Borough Secretary or other Borough official. Applications shall be made to the Borough Secretary. Application for such permits shall be in writing and shall state thereon the intended location of the establishment place of business or premises and the number of coin-operated amusement devices to be located therein. The fee for such permit is fixed at the rate as established from time to time by the Borough Council. The permit fee shall be payable in advance. The fee shall be paid to the Borough Secretary or Treasurer and shall be for the use of the Borough.

Since the prior ordinance provided for a license fee on a fiscal year basis ending August 31 of each year, the permit fee provisions hereof shall be prorated in each calendar year, for the four months commencing September 1.

§ 129-3 Issuance of permit.

Upon payment of the permit fee set forth in § 129-2 hereof, the Borough Secretary shall issue a permit for the calendar year for which issued. The permit shall state the number of coin-operated amusement devices for which the permit is issued and the total fee paid, which permit shall be prominently displayed in the place of business of establishment receiving the permit.

§ 129-4 Minors.

Minors under the age of 18 years shall under no circumstances frequent, loiter, go or remain in any pool room, billiard room, game room or arcade, except with the knowledge and consent of the parent or guardian of such child; and it shall be unlawful for the operator or proprietor of any pool room, billiard room, game room, or arcade to allow or permit any such minor to frequent, loiter or remain within such place of business in violation of the provisions of this section.

§ 129-5 Operation of pool rooms, billiard rooms, game rooms and arcades, on lawful certain days and hours.

[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)[1]]

No person who shall conduct or operate any pool room, billiard room, game room or arcade shall allow such pool hall, billiard room, game room or arcade to remain open or any game to be played therein, at any time between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the following day (daylight saving time when in effect); provided, however, that places of business or establishments which are licensed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board shall be allowed to conduct or operate any pool room, billiard room, game room or arcade or coin-operated amusement devices located thereon for the hours of operation permitted by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

[1]

Editor's Note: This amendment repealed former Ch. 13, Section 105.2, which referenced curfew provisions of former Ch. 6.

§ 129-6 Conduct of establishments; prohibited activities therein.

Every pool room, billiard room, game room and arcade shall be conducted in an orderly manner, and no person conducting or operating such place, shall permit therein any loitering, disorderly conduct, gambling, drunkenness, or playing of games for money or any other thing of value.

§ 129-7 Violations and penalties.

[Amended 6-28-1988 by Ord. No. 694; 10-30-1990 by Ord. No. 715; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]

Any person who shall conduct or operate any pool room, billiard room, game room or arcade and who shall violate or permit any violation of any of the provisions of this article shall, upon being found liable therefor, pay a fine of not more than $600, plus court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Borough in the enforcement proceedings. If the penalty is not paid, the Borough shall initiate a civil action for collection in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this article that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense. In addition to or in lieu of enforcement under this section, the Borough may enforce this article in equity in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County.

§ 129-8 Revocation of any license.

In addition to the provisions set forth herein, the Mayor shall have the right to revoke any license issued hereunder for the violation of any of the provisions of this article.