840.01 MECHANICAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE DEFINED
For purposes of this chapter, the term “mechanical amusement device” means any machine or device for amusement or entertainment which is operated by the insertion of a coin or token representing such coin.
840.02 ANNUAL LICENSE REQUIRED; FEE
(a) Any person, firm, or corporation, who uses or permits the use of any mechanical amusement device shall, before using or permitting the use thereof, register said device with and make application for, and receive an annual license therefor from the Township Treasurer. Said application shall be in writing, signed by all applicants, and shall be made under oath or affirmation that the information therein contained is complete and correct. The application shall set forth:
(1) The names and present addresses of all applicants;
(2) Their places of residence within the last five years;
(3) A location of the premises upon which the mechanical amusement device is to be installed and used, and the name of the owner thereof;
(4) The manufacturer, description, and serial number of the device; and
(5) The business or trade name used by the applicant.
(b) A separate application shall be filed for each mechanical amusement device being registered. Each registration shall be accompanied by the annual license fee provided in Section 840.05.
840.03 INVESTIGATION OF APPLICATION
No license shall be granted or transfer approved within seven days of the filing of the application therefor, during which time the Treasurer shall investigate the facts set forth and ascertain the truth thereof. If the Treasurer shall be satisfied that all facts contained in the application are correct, he or she shall issue a license to the applicant.
840.04 LICENSE ATTACHMENT TO DEVICE; TRANSFER OF LICENSE
The license herein provided for shall be a label, disc, or tag for the year for which the license fee or tax has been paid, and the applicant shall firmly attach it to the mechanical amusement device for which it is issued. A license may be transferred, without payment of an additional fee or tax, to another mechanical amusement device intended to replace, on the same premises only, either temporarily or permanently, an existing licensed mechanical amusement device, provided that the application required in Section 840.02 is filed with and approved by the Township Treasurer, and provided, further, that the license of any mechanical amusement device, the use of which is discontinued, shall not be transferred or revived. No mechanical amusement device shall be operated without the license being affixed thereto.
840.05 LICENSE FEE OR TAX
(a) The license fee or tax herein provided for shall be an annual fee or tax for general revenue purposes, as follows:
(1) For each electronic game, one hundred dollars ($100.00) per year or fraction thereof;
(2) For each pool table, twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per year or fraction thereof;
(3) For each juke box, ten dollars ($10.00) per year or fraction thereof; and
(4) For all other mechanical amusement devices, fifty dollars ($50.00) per year or fraction thereof.
(b) The fees set forth shall be on an annual basis, or fraction thereof, for which a mechanical amusement device is used within the Township. Each fee shall be due and payable on or before January 1 of each year.
(c) The license fee or tax provided for in subsection (a) hereof may be changed by resolution of the Township Board of Commissioners.
840.06 GAMBLING DEVICES NOT AUTHORIZED
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize, license, or permit any gambling device whatsoever, or any device which is prohibited by any present or future law of the Commonwealth.
840.07 EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION
This chapter shall become effective immediately upon passage and shall remain effective annually thereafter.
840.99 PENALTY
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00), nor more than three hundred dollars ($300.00) for each offense. Each and every day that any untaxed mechanical amusement device shall be operated in violation of the terms hereof shall constitute a separate offense and shall be subject to separate and distinct penalties.