4-156-130 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 75 repealed § 4-156-130, which pertained to severability.

4-156-140 Violations – Penalty.

   Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be fined not less than $200.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense. Every day such violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465)

ARTICLE II. AUTOMATIC AMUSEMENT DEVICES (4-156-150 et seq.)

4-156-150 Definitions.

   As used in this chapter:

   "Automatic amusement device" means any machine, which, upon the insertion of a coin, slug, token, card or similar object, or upon any other payment method, may be operated by the public generally for use as a game, entertainment or amusement, whether or not registering a score, and includes but is not limited to such devices as jukeboxes, marble machines, pinball machines, movie and video booths or stands and all games, operations or transactions similar thereto under whatever name by which they may be indicated. Bingo devices are deemed gambling devices and are therefore prohibited for use except as provided by state law. If a machine consists of more than one game monitor which permits individuals to play separate games simultaneously, each separate game monitor shall be deemed an automatic amusement device. An "automatic amusement device" does not include a machine used for lawful gambling at a casino, as that term is defined in 230 ILCS 10/4.

   "Illegal amusement device" means an automatic amusement device that: includes a knock-off circuit; or allows more than ten replays or free games, or maintains a count of payoffs or the number of times a person has won a game played on the device; or maintains a tally of players' scores other than the tally displayed to players; or fails to display in the required manner a tax emblem required by chapter; or has been used for illegal gambling. "Illegal amusement device" does not include a device that properly displays a required tax emblem, that is not used for illegal gambling and that qualifies either as a crane game as defined in the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961 or as a redemption machine as defined in the Illinois Criminal Code. An automatic amusement device shall not be deemed an illegal automatic amusement device because of internal diagnostic devices or capabilities that are able to record and maintain statistical data such as the number of coins or tokens deposited, the number of games played or the number of games won, if such diagnostic devices or capabilities are intended and used exclusively for auditing of game performance.

   "Knock-off circuit" means any mechanical or electrical device, circuitry or modification on an automatic amusement device, whereby free games shown on an externally visible indicator are released, while a record of games so released is maintained on a second indicator, meter or counter, either inside or outside the device. A reset button installed by the manufacturer of the automatic amusement device shall not, without more, constitute a knock-off circuit.

   The phrase "more than ten replays or free games" means more than ten replays or free games at one time. "Free game or replay" does not include an extension of a game awarded as a result of the player's skill, such as an extra ball in a pinball game or extended playing time in a video game.

   "Payoff" means the giving of money or other thing of value in exchange for a player's accumulated points or free games or replays.

   The phrase "a count of payoffs or the number of times a player has won a game played on the device" means a tally, whether on paper, mechanical or electronic, and regardless of whether maintained inside, on or outside the automatic amusement device. The phrase is not intended to include a record of scores, accessible to players of the device, and linked to previous players' names, nicknames, initials or other identifiers, for purposes of comparison and competition.

   The phrase "tally of players' scores other than the tally displayed to players" does not include a record of scores, accessible to players of the device, and linked to previous players' names, nicknames, initials or other identifiers, for purposes of comparison and competition.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 7-2-97, p. 48017; Amend Coun. J. 4-1-98, p. 65262; Amend Coun. J. 12-15-99, p. 21529, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-25-01, p. 65052, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-25-22, p. 48413, § 6)

4-156-160 Tax imposed.

   An annual tax in the amount of $150.00 for each calendar year is imposed upon all automatic amusement devices operated for gain or profit per device. This section does not apply to a casino, as that term is defined in 230 ILCS 10/4.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 11-10-99, p. 14998, § 1.1; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-99, p. 17487, § 1.1; Amend Coun. J. 3-13-13, 48628, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-25-22, p. 48413, § 6)

4-156-170 Tax emblem.

   The automatic amusement device tax shall be paid by the owner of such device to the city clerk. The city clerk shall issue as evidence of the payment of the tax a self-voiding adhesive tax emblem to be placed on each device. Such emblem shall bear the words "City of Chicago Amusement Device Tax", the names of the mayor and the city clerk, and such other wording as may be prescribed by the mayor. It shall be unlawful for any person to mutilate said tax emblem during the year for which it was issued.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 6-30-09, p. 65579, § 3)