ARTICLE IV. - MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONIC AMUSEMENT DEVICES AND AMUSEMENT CENTERS, BILLIARD OR POOL ROOMS
Part of the Code of Ordinances of Central Falls, RI.
The text
Footnotes:
--- (4) --- State Law reference— Bowling alleys, billiard tables and shooting galleries, G.L. 1956, § 5-2-1 et seq.
DIVISION 1. - GENERALLY#
Sec. 6-124. - Definitions.#
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Amusement game means any mechanical, electric, video and electronic machine or device used or designed to be operated for entertainment or as a game by the insertion of money, tokens or other articles or by paying money to have it activated; such term shall include but not be limited to marble machines, pinball machines, skill ball, mechanical grab machines, video or computer type games, electronically operated or displayed games, air games and all operations similar thereto; such term shall not include any rides, bowling alleys, pool tables or any device maintained within a residence for the use of occupants thereof and their guests.
Game room means any structure or portion of a structure or place containing four or more amusement games.
Pool/billiard table means any oblong cloth-covered table with raised cushioned edges with or without side pockets on which the game commonly known as billiard or pool is played.
Pool or billiards room means any building or room where four or more tables are kept for the use and entertainment of the public.
(Code 1994, § 6-86; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 2; Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)
Sec. 6-125. - Operation of game rooms, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards rooms.#
Standards for the operation of game rooms, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards rooms shall be as follows: (1)
The owner and operator of any game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall comply with all provisions of law, ordinance, rule or regulation relating to the conduct of business and the use and maintenance of the premises.
(2)
The owner and operator of any game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall cause the game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room license to be posted at all times in a conspicuous place on the premises.
(3)
The owner and operator of any game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall not permit such premises to be overcrowded.
(4)
The owner and operator of any game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room and the members, officers, directors and holders of ten percent or more of the stock of any corporation, partnership or association owning or operating a game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall not have been convicted of any crime that has a reasonable relationship to fitness to own or operate any game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room.
(5)
The owner and operator of any game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall maintain good order on the premises at all times. The lack of good order on the premises of a game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall include but shall not be limited to the following:
a.
Fighting and rowdy behavior;
b.
Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, except within premises licensed for on-premises consumption of those beverages;
c.
Gambling;
d.
Permitting the use of marijuana or any controlled substance, the possession of which is prohibited by law.
(6)
The owner or operator of any game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall not permit an amusement game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room therein to be played or operated after 10:00 p.m. by a person under the age of 16 years unless accompanied by and under the supervision of a parent or other guardian over the age of 18.
(7)
The owner or operator of a game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall not allow it to be open or used unless it is under the control of and supervision by a person at least 18 years of age who shall ensure that it is operated in compliance with law.
(8)
The owner and operator of a game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall not allow it to be open or the amusement games, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room therein played on any day between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. during the months of July and August; except that, when school is in session, such prohibited hours will become 10:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
(9)
The owner and operator of a game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall not allow more amusement games, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room than the number permitted in the license to be located therein at any time.
(Code 1994, § 6-88; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 5(f); Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)
Sec. 6-126. - Operation of amusement games, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room.#
Standards for the operation of amusement games, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall be as follows: (1)
The owner of any amusement game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room within the city shall comply with all provisions of law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable thereto and relating to the conduct of the business in connection with which the game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room is used and the use and maintenance of the premises where it is located.
(2)
The owner of the game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall maintain good order on the premises at all times. The lack of good order on the premises shall include but not be limited to the following:
a.
Fighting and rowdy behavior;
b.
Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, except upon premises licensed for on-premises consumption thereof;
c.
Gambling;
d.
Permitting the use of marijuana or any controlled substance, the possession of which is prohibited by the law.
(3)
The owner of an amusement game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall not permit it to be played or operated after 10:00 p.m. by a person under the age of 16 years unless accompanied by and under the supervision of a parent or other guardian over the age of 18.
(4)
The owner of an amusement game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall not allow it to be available for use or used unless it is under the control of and supervision by a person at least 18 years of age, who shall ensure that it is operated in compliance with law.
(5)
No cash awards shall be offered or given in any contest, tournament, league or individual play on any amusement game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room, and no such game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall be permitted to operate if such game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room delivers or may readily be converted to deliver to the player any piece of money, coin, slug or token.
(6)
No credit, allowance, check, slug, token or anything of value shall be offered or given to any player of any amusement game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room as a result of plays made thereon.
(Code 1994, § 6-89; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 5(g); Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)
Sec. 6-127. - Inspections.#
The premises of all game rooms, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room in the city shall be subject to inspection by any peace officer acting pursuant to his special duties, or any police officer. Any other premises in the city containing amusement games, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall be subject to inspection by any peace officer acting pursuant to his special duties, or any police officer.
(Code 1994, § 6-90; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 5(h), (i); Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)
Sec. 6-128. - Gambling devices prohibited.#
No machine or device, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room which would constitute a gambling device as defined by G.L. 1956, § 11-19-18, or any other section of the general laws, shall be licensed by the city.
(Code 1994, § 6-106; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 5(e); Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)
Secs. 6-129—6-154. - Reserved.#
DIVISION 2. - LICENSE#
Sec. 6-155. - Required.#
Every person maintaining or operating a game room or amusement device, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room shall first obtain an annual license from the city.
(Code 1994, § 6-101; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 3; Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)
Sec. 6-156. - Application requirements.#
(a)
Types of establishments that may apply for mechanical and electronic amusement device, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room licenses include any businesses whose primary business is entertainment or recreation during their regular business hours.
(b)
An application form for amusement game or game room, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room licenses shall require the following information:
(1)
Name, age and address of applicant; and names and addresses of officers if a corporation or association;
(2)
The place where each machine or device, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room is to be displayed or operated and the business conducted at such place; and
(3)
A description of the machine or machines, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room to be covered by the license, the mechanical features and the serial numbers thereof.
(Code 1994, § 6-103; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 5(a), (b); Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)
Sec. 6-157. - Qualifications of licensee.#
No license under this division shall be issued to any individual unless he is over the age of 18 years and not an illegal alien.
(Code 1994, § 6-102; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 5(c); Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)
Sec. 6-158. - Term; fee.#
Licenses granted under this division shall continue for a term not exceeding one year upon payment of the currently required amount for the license for a game room or amusement game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room and any renewal thereof.
(Code 1994, § 6-104; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 4; Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)
Sec. 6-159. - Display.#
Every machine, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room on display or operated under the terms of this division shall require a license, and such license shall be displayed on each machine, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room so licensed or in a conspicuous place at such location.
(Code 1994, § 6-105; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 5(d); Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)
Sec. 6-160. - Payment of property tax prerequisite to issuance.#
No license under this division shall be issued or renewed until such times as the personal property tax assessed against the game room or amusement game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room owned or kept according to the provisions of this division have been paid.
(Code 1994, § 6-107; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 8; Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)
Sec. 6-161. - Issuance; effective and expiration dates.#
All applications for licenses under this division shall be made to the city clerk and shall become effective on December 1, and shall expire on November 30 of each year. All such licenses shall be issued by the city clerk after the application for such license shall have been approved by the city council and upon payment of the required fees and provided that all state and city requirements have been made.
(Code 1994, § 6-108; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 6; Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)
Sec. 6-162. - Suspension or revocation.#
If the licensee shall permit the place where any game room or amusement game, pool tables, billiards tables, pool rooms and billiards room is located to become disorderly so as to annoy and disturb reasonable persons of ordinary sensibilities inhabiting, working or residing in the neighborhood thereof, or shall permit any of the laws of the state or the city to be violated therein, in addition to any punishment or penalty which may be prescribed by statute for such offense, the licensee may be summoned before the city council, where the licensee and the witnesses for and against the licensee may be heard, and if it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of the city council hearing such charges that the licensee has permitted to be done any of the things hereinbefore in this division mentioned, the city council may suspend or revoke such license or enter other orders thereon.
(Code 1994, § 6-109; Ord. of 9-13-1982, § 5(j); Ord. of 6-4-2001; Ord. of 10-14-2015, § 4; Ord. of 12-9-2019(1), § 4)