term: "SKILL POOL" for coin-op pool table

[Goldy]

What is the reasoning behind municipalities removing coin-op pool tables from the whole scope of pool tables?

"Billiards" means any of the several games played on a table surrounded by an elastic ledge or cushion, with balls which are impelled by a cue, and includes all forms of the game known as pool.

AND THEN!?!

"Billiard table" includes pool tables, and the provisions of this chapter shall apply to such pool tables except those coin-operated tables resembling pool or billiard tables sometimes known as "skill pool" which are licensed under the provisions of Chapter 781. (Chapter 781 is arcade licensing, They want $50 per table/year)

AND THE MOST STUPID OF ALL!

The sale of or consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises of a pool room containing more than one pool table is hereby prohibited. (Ord. 21-68. Passed 5-27-68.)


There is something wrong in this town.

If anyone could shead some insight, or has knowledge of how somethings need to be worded, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

REFERENCE TO CITY CODE

http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Ohio/reynoldsburgcode/reynoldsburgohiocodeofordinances?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:reynoldsburg_oh

 

[Pushout]

IIRC, this is similar to the laws in NYS for a LOT of years. All the years I played there, in fact. Don't ever remember the skill pool thing, though.

 

[Goldy]

IIRC, this is similar to the laws in NYS for a LOT of years. All the years I played there, in fact. Don't ever remember the skill pool thing, though.

Well it's quite comical. There are roughly 7 bars in this same town, with 3+ coin-op tables each. They aren't required to have a special use permit (billiard room permit). They just pay $50 per coin-op table under section 781. How contradictry is that? We should just make our pool hall a bar.

RIDICULOUS!

 

[unknownpro]

What is the reasoning behind municipalities removing coin-op pool tables from the whole scope of pool tables?

"Billiards" means any of the several games played on a table surrounded by an elastic ledge or cushion, with balls which are impelled by a cue, and includes all forms of the game known as pool.

AND THEN!?!

"Billiard table" includes pool tables, and the provisions of this chapter shall apply to such pool tables except those coin-operated tables resembling pool or billiard tables sometimes known as "skill pool" which are licensed under the provisions of Chapter 781. (Chapter 781 is arcade licensing, They want $50 per table/year)

AND THE MOST STUPID OF ALL!

The sale of or consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises of a pool room containing more than one pool table is hereby prohibited. (Ord. 21-68. Passed 5-27-68.)


There is something wrong in this town.

If anyone could shead some insight, or has knowledge of how somethings need to be worded, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

REFERENCE TO CITY CODE

http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Ohio/reynoldsburgcode/reynoldsburgohiocodeofordinances?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:reynoldsburg_oh

I once had a state tax man come in and examine every table in our pool room. Then he finally came up and told me I was going to get a fine because I had no stickers on any of my tables for the state liscence for coin operated pool tables. I then asked him if he could please show me a coin slot on one of my tables. After looking for a few more minutes and noticing the liscence on the wall by the register he left without saying anything else.

I think it's common to have separate methods for coin-op and regular pool tables, and probably required by state law, not local.

Maybe you can sell beer with coin-op tables, if they're not considered pool tables???

unknownpro

 

[Goldy]

Maybe you can sell beer with coin-op tables, if they're not considered pool tables???unknownpro

Thats the current situation.. You are able to sell beer with coin-op tables. They are hereby the exception to the ordinance in 'billiard rooms'. So technically, since were have the 'billiard room permit' we are prohibited to consume/sell alcohol. Maybe we should become a bar. But since we have currenly $90,000 invested in 16 olhausen pool tables, this kind of puts a spin on things.

 

[ShootingArts]

Always seems to be the same things, money and politics

What is the reasoning behind municipalities removing coin-op pool tables from the whole scope of pool tables?

The reasons for strange ordinances and regulations seems to always boil down to one of two things or both of these things, money and politics. The individual licensing thing is usually a pure money grab. I had over five dozen coin operated games. In one parish(county) they were licensed at $25 a year per machine. In the next parish there was a single small fee per location with no fee per machine. Neither parish provided any services and both had the same very casual oversight yet one charged far more per machine, just a profit thing.

The other deal happens when someone with a little clout objects to a business being where it is and succeeds in basically outlawing the business by making it impractical to operate. The business usually can't be shut down because it is grandfathered in but it can be restricted until it is impossible to make a profit. The other businesses harmed are just incidental fall out!

Hu

 

[selftaut]

Those are terms most cities and towns put in place years ago to stop pool halls from coming in and getting a beer or liquor license, but also an attempt not to hurt the bars to much , coin-ops are considered vending machines in that language , where as a table without a coin-op is limited to 1 table so a pool hall can not setup with a beer license , but a bar that has 1 table without a coin mech can still operate , as some clubs have a table set up for free play. Sucks don't it?

Get this one, in my town they changed the language to have ALL pool table and Skill table licenses issued by the chief of police and not the town board, fat chance ha?

 

[Goldy]

The reasons for strange ordinances and regulations seems to always boil down to one of two things or both of these things, money and politics. The individual licensing thing is usually a pure money grab. I had over five dozen coin operated games. In one parish(county) they were licensed at $25 a year per machine. In the next parish there was a single small fee per location with no fee per machine. Neither parish provided any services and both had the same very casual oversight yet one charged far more per machine, just a profit thing.

Well, then it's probably going to boil down to us offering council a fee per table anually, in conjuction with the billiards license fee of $100 anually. I'd say $25 per table would be fair. So.. $400 for the tables (16), and $100 for the billiard room license. Totalling $500 per year to operate.. Of course they'd have to abolish the consumption/sale alcohol ordinance section of a billiard room in lieu of such fee's being imposed. I guess that is somewhat of a comprimise. We've already been denied zoning for a D1 Beer Permit by council, FYI..

The other deal happens when someone with a little clout objects to a business being where it is and succeeds in basically outlawing the business by making it impractical to operate. The business usually can't be shut down because it is grandfathered in but it can be restricted until it is impossible to make a profit. The other businesses harmed are just incidental fall out!

I feel their efforts aren't geared to actually impose sanctions. Our situation is uniqe. It's probably more of a political gain for them at this point. They are going to be sadly disappointed at next council meeting, because we do have the option to just change our outfit to a bar. And we'll start playing their game. Thanks for your insight Hu...