Bell Municipal Code Art. V Operating Requirements

Rules relating to the conduct of card clubs, in addition to the regulations set forth in this chapter, may be established and promulgated by resolution adopted by the city council. Such rules shall have the force of law, and any violation thereof shall be considered a violation of this chapter, and a ground for suspension and/or revocation of a license.

(Prior code § 4241; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

No person shall be permitted to bring any alcoholic beverage into a card club.

(Prior code § 4242; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

No person under the age of 21 years shall be permitted to be a player in any game.

(Prior code § 4243; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

It is unlawful for any licensee to assign, arrange for, sublet to, subcontract with, or in any other manner, allow any person the right to conduct any game, directly or indirectly, with or without consideration, except as an employee.

(Prior code § 4244; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

The licensee shall be permitted to conduct, or contract for the conducting of, accessory uses permitted as such pursuant to the city's zoning code. Each such accessory use shall comply with all provisions of the code, including, but not limited to, the provisions of this title dealing with business licenses and regulations. No accessory use shall be permitted to be conducted, directly or indirectly by a licensee until the same has been approved by the CAO as to the nature and extent of such accessory use and the person or persons who are proposed to conduct the same. Approval of such an accessory use shall be denied unless the CAO determines that it is a valid accessory use under the city's zoning regulations and that compliance is had with all other provisions of this code.

(Prior code § 4245; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

Doors, screens, or other obstructions of any kind shall not be placed so as to conceal tables at which games are played, or so as to conceal the players in a game.

(Prior code § 4246; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

Except in a duly authorized tournament, no licensee shall charge any person a sum other than that set forth in a schedule approved by resolution of the city council as and for seat or space rental charges and fees, which entitle such person to be a player in a game.

(Prior code § 4247; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

Rules of play for all games permitted to be played pursuant to this chapter, including jackpot and tournament games, shall first be filed for approval with the chief. No game including jackpot and tournament games shall be played until its rules are filed with the chief, and are conspicuously posted in each card club.

(Prior code § 4248; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

The playing of all games shall be confined to the area of each licensed card club at locations approved by the chief, and at no other locations.

(Prior code § 4249; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

All card clubs shall be open for inspection by any peace officer, at any time, without the necessity for a search warrant.

(Prior code § 4250; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

A limitation on the hours of operation of a card club may be imposed by the chief, with the approval of the CAO, should it be determined that such regulation is necessary for the protection of the public peace, health or welfare.

(Prior code § 4252; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

The extending of credit or the loan of anything of value to a card club patron or the cashing of checks of card club patrons, by a licensee or its employees shall be permitted only if the licensee's written check cashing and credit policies are conspicuously posted at each cashier's window.

(Prior code § 4253; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

Licensees may establish a players bank only under the following conditions:

A. Cash Only. Only cash, checks or chips may be held in a players bank; no other personal property, including, but not limited to, coins or paper money worth more than face value, may be so held.

B. Security. Money deposited in the players bank shall be secured in a manner, as is approved by the CAO, by the licensee, by cash or other liquid assets or a security bond.

C. Deposits or Withdrawals—Approval by Licensee. No person may deposit or withdraw money in a players bank without the written approval of an authorized employee of a licensee. Money may be withdrawn only by the person named on the account.

D. Records. Accurate and complete records, including but not limited to, written receipts, of all deposits in and withdrawals from a players bank shall be kept for a period of not less than two years or a longer period if required by applicable laws.

E. Inspections. The records of all players bank transactions shall be available for inspection and copying by the CAO, the chief or their respective designees.

(Prior code § 4254; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

A complete and accurate accounting of moneys received and expended in connection with each and every jackpot game and/or tournament shall be filed with the CAO, periodically, in the form, and at times, as designated by the CAO.

(Prior code § 4255; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

A. Conduct Of. The conduct of tournaments shall be permitted for those games permitted by this chapter and for no others. The licensee shall, at least 48 hours in advance of the conduct of a tournament, notify the chief of the dates and hours of each such tournament.

B. Rules. The licensee shall submit to the CAO at least 48 hours prior to the commencement of any tournament a full set of rules, regulations, terms and conditions which shall govern the operation of each tournament.

C. Violation of Part. Nothing contained in this section permitting a licensee to engage in a tournament shall be construed to permit a violation of any other section or provision of this chapter, except that no seat-space rental shall be charged for players in a tournament.

(Prior code § 4256; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

The total number of current licenses for card clubs in the city authorized and outstanding, shall not, at any time, exceed a total of one such license for each 10,000 persons residing in the city, as shown by the latest available census.

(Prior code § 4257; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

The following rules and regulations are established and promulgated by the city council with reference to card clubs to which licenses are issued under the provisions of this chapter.

A. Written Agreement to Comply. Licensees shall, in writing, agree to be bound by, and observe, each and all of the provisions of applicable laws.

B. Charges to Players. Except in a duly authorized tournament, no licensee shall charge any person a sum except that sum approved by city council resolution, for entitling such person to play in such game.

C. Inspection of Clubs. A card club should be open for inspection, without the necessity for a search warrant, during all hours to the CAO, the chief, the finance director, and any other person authorized to conduct such an inspection by the CAO or city council.

D. Minimum Number of Tables. A card club shall have and maintain not less than 35 tables.

(Prior code § 4258; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)

Each card club shall be located in a building having not less than 30,000 square feet of floor area. The minimum size of a site shall be a lot or combination of contiguous lots upon which a card club may be placed, together with its required off-street parking, shall have at least seven and one-half acres of total lot area.

(Prior code § 4259; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)