Blythe Municipal Code Ch. 5.08 Amusement Games and Phonograph Machines

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

A. "Amusement machine" or "game machine" means and includes any machine or device offered for use within the city which machine or device is or will be operated, or which is offered or played, as a game or a test of skill, for the operation of which a charge is made, or which is conducted for profit.

B. "Person" means and includes both the singular and the plural, and also means and includes any person, individual, firm, corporation, copartnership, association, club, society or any other organization.

C. "Phonograph machine" means and includes any machine or device playing phonograph records reproducing voice, music or sound, which machine or device is operated by inserting therein a coin or token of any value or by payment of a valuable consideration.

(Ord. 143 § 1, 1941)

It is unlawful for any person to conduct, manage, operate or carry on the business of any amusement machine or game machine, or any other device of any character whatsoever, not otherwise provided for in this code without first having obtained a license therefor.

(Ord. 143 § 2, 1941)

Every person desiring to conduct, manage, operate or carry on the business of amusement machines or phonograph machines within the city shall first make written application for a license therefor upon forms to be provided by the city clerk.

(Ord. 143 § 3, 1941)

All licenses granted under this chapter shall be annual licenses, payable in advance, and shall expire on the thirty-first day of December of each year.

(Ord. 629 § 5, 1986: Ord. 143 § 4, 1941)

A. Every person engaged in the business of leasing, renting or maintaining any amusement machine or game within the city shall pay an annual license fee therefor as follows:

1. For each of the first ten amusement machines or games for the operation of which a license is issued to any one person, said person shall pay an annual fee as set by resolution of the city council.

2. For each additional license issued to said person, for the operation of such machines, in excess of the initial ten machines provided for in subdivision 1 of this subsection, said person shall pay an annual license fee as set by resolution of the city council.

B. Separate licenses shall be issued for each machine so licensed; and the fees prescribed in this section shall be applicable regardless of the location of the machines.

(Ord. 571 § 2 (part), 1980; Ord. 467 § 1 (part), 1975; Ord. 143 § 5, 1941)

Every person engaged in the business of renting, leasing or maintaining any phonograph machine within the city shall pay an annual license fee as set by resolution of the city council for each and every phonograph machine so licensed.

(Ord. 571 § 2 (part), 1980; Ord. 467 § l (part), 1975; Ord. 143 § 6, 1941)

The license fees provided for in Sections 5.08.050 and 5.08.060 shall be paid whether or not the machines are operated in conjunction with any other business.

(Ord. 143 § 7, 1941)

A. All such amusement machines or game machines mentioned in this chapter shall be registered in the office of the chief of police. Such registration shall indicate the serial number, the owner, and the place at which such machine is to be located.

B. All machines so maintained in the city shall bear a stamp or label or sign indicating the serial number thereof, the true owner, the principal place of business of the owner, the number of the license issued by the city covering the maintenance of said machine, together with the expiration date of said license.

(Ord. 143 § 8, 1941)

In the event any person discontinues maintaining any machine or game licensed under this chapter, during the period when such machine is licensed for an unexpired period, the licensee may substitute a game or machine in place of said machine the use of which is so discontinued, and may maintain such substituted machine without the payment of an additional license fee for the unexpired period of the license carried on said discontinued machine; provided, however, that such person must surrender the unexpired license of the discontinued machine to the city clerk, who may thereupon issue a new license for the unexpired term of the discontinued machine, and provided, further, that the new machine shall be registered with the chief of police as provided in Section 5.08.080.

(Ord. 143 § 10, 1941)

Any machine operated in violation of the provisions of Section 5.08.080, or maintained without having displayed thereon, in a clearly visible place, the required label or sign indicating that the license fee therefor is unexpired, shall be seized and held by any duly qualified police officer of the city, whereupon said machine shall be redeemable by the true owner within a period of not to exceed sixty days, upon the payment of the reasonable value for the safekeeping of said machine, together with the license fee, as provided for in this chapter, for the period during which the machine was improperly maintained.

(Ord. 143 § 9, 1941)

No license contemplated in this chapter shall be issued for the renting, leasing or maintaining of any amusement machine, game machine or phonograph machine upon any public street, way, court or alley, or in or upon any publicly owned building within the city.

(Ord. 143 § 11, 1941)

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as giving or granting any authority or privilege, or as providing for the granting or giving of any authority or privilege, to any person to rent, lease or maintain any game or machine which is prohibited by either the ordinance of the city or by the law of the state.

(Ord. 143 § 14, 1941)

If, in any proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction, it is established that any machine or machines licensed as provided in this chapter shall have been employed for gambling purposes, then, and in such event, the machine or machines shall be summarily confiscated and destroyed upon an order made by said court.

(Ord. 143 § 13, 1941)