so many years with respect to coin machines
had been to set up an all-coverage statute.
It is well known in the trade how such in-
clusive statutes have · worked hardship on
some types of machines.
All too often the three general types-
amusement, music and vending machines-
would be included in a general bill placing
a taxation rate on each type. Time and ex-
perience has shown that it is almost impos-
si ble to a djust tax rates properly on such a
wholesale scale.
Even if vending machines were omitted
from some of these general bills, music ma-
chines would be included in a proposal to
license amusement games. The injustices
which some of these laws have worked are
now a matter of history.
The trade should be prepared to take such
precedent as the Maryland license law and
use it as argument for including only one
general type of machine in license propos-
als. As time goes on, the three main branches
of the industry become more and more dif-
ferentiated and therefore should have sep-
arate treatment in any type of legislation
that comes up.
The new postwar trend in which operators
of vending machines tend to become a part
of the soft drink, candy, or cigarette trades
mav put a new slant on legislation ·affecting
vending machines in the future, and also
create new legal problems for the operators
involved.
Maryland has generally shown a tendency
COIN
MACHINE
IIfVlav
12
FOR
SEPTEMBER
1947
Junior
Changer
• FAST
• ACCURATE
• ATTRACTIVE
• GUARANTEED
( Distributor Discounts)
10 keep the principal types of machines sep-
arate, although some all-inclusive bills have
come up. A music license law was kept sep-
arate from games and other machines. An
unfortunate type of law for taxing vendors
was also passed once, inspired by the "oppo-
sition" to vending machines, but the law
lost in court.
Now a new law relating only to amuse~
ment games, as separate and distinct from
aJl other types of machines, has gone on the
books in the state. Such types of legislation
will prevent some of the unfortunate situa-
tions that have arisen in which one group of
the Industry would be fighting at cross pur-
poses with another group.
The ever-increasing costs of operation,
and the overlapping of so many taxes of dif-
ferent kinds, now make it necessary that all
tax propo.sals be resisted. But still it seems
impossible to prevent the spread of new tax
laws, and if they must come to the coin ma-
chine trade, then the best plan is to frame
laws that relate to only one type of machine
as much as possible.
Let's hope that Maryland has really set a
precedent on this point.
The statute calls them pin ball machines
and gives the term rather broad coverage.
[n trade terms, it includes free-play pin ball
and also console machines, even the ones
with spinning reels. Due to the continued
lise of the term "free play," it could be ar-
gued that the statute does not cover simple
novelty games without free-play features.
The statute provides that no free-play
pin ball machines, "as hereinafter defined,"
shall he operated without a license. It also
makes the same requirement for free-play
console machines. Thus, there are two gen -
eral types of machines included in the li-
cense plan.
As to definitions, "a free-play pin ball ma-
ch ine" is one that accepts one or more coins,
releases one or more balls for the use of th e
player, to be propelled by means of a plun-
ger. If the player gets certain scores or com-
binations of scores, the machine rewards the
player with a specified numb er of fre e
games, "allowing the player to continue to
play the machine without the insertion of
additional coins or token s."
That is a good definition of a free-play
gam e and definitely covers the full use of
fre e plays. Payouts, of course, are forbidden
with both types of machines. The statute
mention s payouts in coins or tokens and
han s them.
A free-play console machine has the mech-
anism encased in a wood or metal cabinet,
with a backboard upon which are certain
combinations of numbers or symbols which
the player must match. The insertion of one
or more coins by thS! player releases th e
mechanism and causes two or more reels to
spin. If the reels stop on specified combina-
tions, matching those on the backboards, the
machine rewards the player with a specified
number of free games. It allows the player
to continue to play the machine without the
insertion (if additional coins or tokens. Pay-
outs in cash or tokens are banned.
Both types of machines include one-balls.
The mention of backboards and spinning
reels in the definition of console machines
wiII attract attention among operators.
The possession as well as the operating- of
such machines for public entertainment or
gain, and also the awarding of free garnes,
are declared to be lawful by the statute.
The question of children playing the games
is handled by drawing the line at 18, young
people under that age being banned. Diffi-
culty is always apparent in such restrictions
because it is hard for location owners, and
practically impossible for the operator, to
enforce the ban. Notices can be posted to
that effect, and in that way help enforce the
law. ·
The Maryland law specifies that the party
"operating or possessing any such machine"
should not permit any person under 18 to
play.
Who is responsible for paying the license
fee under the Maryland law? The statute
requires that the party "keeping, maintain-
ing, possessing or operating" the specified
machines is responsible for violations. Evi-
dently, this pretty broad coverage of respon-
sibility was inserted so that either the owner
or the location owner where machine is
placed could be held responsible. The letter
of the law seems to lean toward the location
owner as the one chiefly responsible, but in
trade practice the man who owns the ma-
chine takes care of tax matters through mu-
tual arrangement with location owners.
The fees are average, in comparison with
other license laws in states and cities. In
modern times they may be considered as
reasonable. The license fee for the free-play
pin ball machines is $10 per year, and a $25
fee is required for the console type. The fee
.
can be prorated monthly.
The statute also makes th e fair provision
that th e li cense is tran sferable to any ma-
chine of the same type. Fees are paid to the
county clerk in each county where the ma-
chines are located. In fact, the statute con-
forms to Maryland precedent and gives im-
portance to the county. A closing paragraph
says the license applies to Kent, Queen
Anne's and Caroline Counties only.
The fi scal license year begins May 1 each
year, so it will be another eight months or
more before reports are available on the first
years' operation of the law.
f.s'es', Mos, Accu,,'e
Coin Dispenser on ,be· Market
~'l'his attractive clll'ome finished changer is ')f
all metal, precision machined cOllstl'uction.
Available with either 5c-5c or I e-I e tubes. A
flick of the finger :mtomatically dispenses
either 5 or 10 coins in the Va11lJ of yon I" hand.
Fully tested 'fol' RCCUJ':t('y. Cupilrity is $1:1 i;1
lliekels. Has a heavily wcigld cd IlOIl- ~l i p
Sold on a mOll<,y-baek f;.mrllllh'(' .
b~fl(,.
~eep
PtJ4ted , , ,
It will pay you in many ways t o keep in touch with Ben Rodins.
Every week, guaranteed up-to-date equipment is offered fo r sale
at EXCEPTIONALLY LOW PRICES. Remember .•. if I can't
guarantee it I won't ship it!
Write rudng
A Pos tca rd Will Do
Let Ben Radins Add
Yaur name ta ...
His mailing List
mARLin
Amusement Earparatian
412 9th St., N. W . • 01. 1625
WASHINGTON 4 . D . c.