Houston Code of Ordinances § 5-161 Definitions.
Sec. 5-161. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Amusement redemption machine means any electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical contrivance designed, made, and adopted for bona fide amusement purposes that rewards the player exclusively with noncash merchandise, prizes, toys, or novelties, or a representation of value redeemable for those items, that have a wholesale value available from a single play of the game or device of not more than ten times the amount charged to play the game or device once, or $5.00, whichever amount is less.
Director means the director of administration and regulatory affairs department or his designee.
Random generator machine means a type of amusement redemption machine that is recreational and provides the user with an opportunity to receive something of value other than a right to replay and in which credits, or the equivalent thereof, are accumulated when: a particular configuration of like symbols is displayed in a random fashion by the machine; symbols or numbers are matched to a randomly selected symbol or number determined by the machine; a combination of cards is arrived at and valued in a traditional hierarchy for purposes of poker; or a combination of cards is arrived at and points assigned for purposes of blackjack.
Game room means a building, facility, or other place that contains six or more amusement redemption machines.
Game room owner means an individual who:
(1) Has an ownership interest in or receives income from a game room or an amusement redemption machine located in a game room;
(2) Is a partner, director, or officer of a business, company, or corporation that has an ownership interest in a game room or in an amusement redemption machine located in a game room;
(3) Is a shareholder that holds more than ten percent of the outstanding shares of a business, company, or corporation that has an ownership interest in a game room or in an amusement redemption machine located in a game room;
(4) Has been issued by the county clerk an assumed name certificate for a business that owns a game room or an amusement redemption machine located in a game room;
(5) Signs a lease for a game room;
(6) Opens an account for utilities for a game room;
(7) Receives a certificate of occupancy for a game room;
(8) Pays for advertising for a game room; or
(9) Signs an alarm permit for a game room.
Operator means an individual who supervises, manages, or participates in the performance of activities that contribute to the functioning of a game room, including the following activities:
(1) Operates a cash register, cash drawer, or other depository on the premises of a game room or of a business where the money earned or the records of credit card transactions or other credit transactions generated in any manner by the operation of a game room or activities conducted in a game room are kept:
(2) Displays, delivers, or provides to a customer of a game room; merchandise, goods, entertainment, or other services offered on the premises of a game room;
(3) Take orders from a customer of a game room for merchandise, goods, entertainment, or other services offered on the premises of a game room; or
(4) Acts as a door attendant to regulate entry of customers or other persons into a game room.
(Ord. No. 2014-674, § 4, 6-25-2014)