Label
ELECTRONIC GAMING PARLORS
Zoning & Planning Committee
Title
Amending Toledo Municipal Code (TMC), Chapter 517; and Chapter 736, Chapter 11; Subsection 1104, 1107 and Subsection 1116 to add licensing requirements for Electronic gaming Parlors; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
The proposed Text Amendment to TMC Chapters 517, 536, 1104, 1107, and 1116 seeks to better regulate Internet Caf?s, Sweepstake Terminal Caf?s, and Electronic Gaming Parlors within the City. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2915 Gambling prohibits gambling within the State while carving out exceptions. Internet Caf?s as we know them are not defined within this chapter, but have attempted to fall within a variety of these exceptions over the past decade. They were originally considered Sweepstakes Terminal Caf?s (hosting Games of Chance); however, statewide crackdowns and amendments to the Ohio Revised Code have forced them to operate their games with an element of skill. Games of skill are regulated by the Ohio Casino Control Commission, who issues licenses for such "skill-based amusement machines" if they comply with state regulations. The City of Newark recently implemented a change to their licensing requirements which ensured all internet-caf?-type businesses within their city obtained a license through the Ohio Casino Control Commission prior to the issuance of a local business license. Conversations with the City of Newark and the Ohio Casino Control Commission have revealed that this regulation has been successful in shutting down noncompliant businesses. The proposed text amendment seeks to implement a similar requirement. Staff believes this will be an effective way to regulate these types of businesses and seeks also to remove the Special Use Permit requirement for them.
TMC Chapter 736: Licensing
TMC Chapter 736 currently requires Sweepstake Terminal Caf?s to obtain an annual license through the Division of Taxation and Treasury. Sweepstake Terminal Ca...
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