The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1937-02-25
Questioned The
Legality OF Machines

Legality OF Machines
(Csntinusd fre0 rase Ons)
ic pay-off device for the return OF
coins can be operated legally IN
Sank Centre.
Our Ordinance (No. 203) defines
such mechanical amusement devlc-
es, and states that they shall con
tain mo automatic pay-off device
for the return of money or coins
The Attorney General OF the
State has ruled as follows:
"Cames consisting of board and
slot for the deposit Of a coin upon
which balls are released Tor the
purpose of attempting to place
them in certain slots, the idea be-
ing to get a large score, are not
gambling devices unless the pro-
prietor offers prizes in the form OF
cash or merchandise for certain
scores obtained. OPP. No. 7SS.
In other words, these machines
are legal if they are and can oe
operated merely as games OF Skin
(similar to billiard and pool tables)
and the player does not have an OPP
portunity to gain or lose money or
prizes, by the operation of them.
It has been brought to your at
tention that the machines hereto
fore operated in Sank Centre DO
not comply with the ordinance and
the State Law, and it has been sug-
gested that the machines be
changed, or replaced, to comply
with the foregoing requirements.
It has also been suggested that
when these changes are made, you
ask three disinterested persons to
inspect the machines to see that
they comply with the ordinance. !
believe this would be helpful, and
would satisfy the public.
Yours very truly,
". T. Conklin.
"The Ordinance of the City OF
Sank Centre, dated Nov. A, 1886
reads:
Chapter No. 203, Section 1. "A
mechanical amusement device Is
hereby defined as machine in the
form of a rectangular box set on
legs, slightly sloping toward the
front, with a playing field contain
ing holes or openings, together with
pins, springs and other appliances,
which upon the insertion Of a coin
or token enables the player to drive
balls upon such playing field
whereby a score is established, and
which contains NO AUTOMATIC
PAY-OFF DEVICE for the return
of money or coins.
Section 2. No person, firm or
corporation shall keep for opera
ton, or maintain, in the City OF
Sank Centre, such mechanical
amusement devices without first
obtaining a license therefor from
the City Council for each machine.
Application for such licenses shall
be made to the Council upon forms
provided for such purpose, giving
the name of the applicant, the des-
cription Of the premises where the
device is to be operated, the kind OF
business conducted therein, and a
description of the machine by SER
ial or other number. The Council
may grant or reject such applica-
ton. The City Clerk is authorized
to issue such licenses under the
limitations of this ordinance, upon
the payment of the fee by appli'
cant. The fee shall be $4,000 pay
able semi-annually in advance or
January 1 and July each year. All
licenses shall expire July 1 follow
ing their issuance. The fee received
shall be credited to the genera
fund of the City.
Section 8. No licensee shall per
NIT the operation of such device by
any minor under the age OF II
years except when such minor shall
then and there be accompanied by
his parent or guardian.
Section 4. Licenses shall not bt
issued for more than two (2) such
mechanical devices to be operated
in any one place Of business in the
CITY. The license for each machine
shall at all times be displayed in 6
conspicuous place in the place o.
business of the licensee. A license
shall be transferable from one own
er or place Of business to another
only upon application to the City
Council and upon payment of a fet
of $500 for such transfer.
Section 5. There shall not be per
mitted any mechanical amusement
device which has been converted
into an automatic pay-off devic'
which shall discharge coins or mon
ey to the operator or player OF such
machine; and no license for such
a machine shall be issued.
Section 6. ANY such machine Of
device which shall have been made
use of in violation of the terms o.
this ordinance may be seized ant
destroyed in compliance with TIT
provisions Of the statutes Of TIT
State relative to gambling devices
Section Z. ANY person, firm o.
corporation who permits any suci
device to be operated or played b.
anyone with a coin or token In Of
about his place Of business withou
first obtaining a license therefore
or, having a license shall operat,
or permit the operation Of sucl
machine or machines contrary Il
the terms and provisions Of this or
dinance shall be guilty Of a misde
meanor and punished by fine o
not to exceed $4,000 or by i'm
nris0nment for a term not to exceed