Washington County
Gaming Office - Coin Operated Games
§ 11-202. Amusement devices in Washington County.
(a) "Amusement device" defined.-
(1) In this section, "amusement device" means billiard tables and coin-operated games in Washington County.
(2) "Coin-operated game" means a game activated by coins or tokens including:(i) A video game;
(ii) An electronic game;
(iii) A claw machine;
(iv) A bowling game;
(v) A shuffleboard game;
(vi) A pool table;
(vii) A pinball machine;
(viii) A target mchine;
(ix) A baseball machine; and
(x) Any other similar device.(3) "Amusement device" does not include a bona fide vending machine in which amusement features are not incorporated.
(b) License.-
(1) A person, company, partnership, or any other incorporated or unincorporated organization shall be licensed under this section before the person, company, partnership, or any other incorporated or unincorporated organization may operate an amusement device in Washington County.
(2) An applicant for an amusement device operator license shall annually:
(i) Submit an application to the County Commissioners of Washington County on the form that the County Commissioners require;
(ii) Pay a fee of $25 annually.
(3) The application for an amusement device operator license shall contain:
(i) The name of the applicant;
(ii) The address of the applicant;
(iii) The names and addresses of all locations where amusement machines are to be operated by the applicant;
(iv) Any other information that the County Commissioners require.(4) (i) Each amusement device operator license expires on June 30 each year and may be renewed each year on or before July 1.
(ii) Before the license expires, the licensee periodically may renew it for an additional 1 year term.
(c) Permit.-
(1) Before a person who keeps, owns, or maintains an amusement device allows the operation of the machine by the public in Washington County, the person shall obtain a permit.
(2) An applicant for an amusement device permit shall:
(i) Submit an application for each location where the machines are to be operated to the County Commissioners of Washington County on the form that the County Commissioners require; and
(ii) Pay a fee of $100 per machine for each permit.(3) Each amusement device operator permit expires on June 30 each year and may be renewed each year on or before July 1.
(d) Waiver of fees.- If an amusement device is on display for sale, the County Commissioners may waive any fee otherwise required under this section.
(e) Penalties for violations.-
(1) A person who violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or both.
(2) A person who violates subsection (c) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500, or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or both.
(3) Upon conviction, the county may institute proceedings to forfeit any amusement device which was operated in derogation of this section. The Circuit Court of Washington County shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any such forfeiture proceeding.
[1983, ch. 634; 1984, ch. 420; 1992, ch. 4, § 4; 1994, ch. 44.]
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