Games of Skill or Amusement — Definitions and Regulation
San Diego Municipal Code § 33.1641
in effect§33.1641 Games of Skill or Amusement — Definitions and Regulation
The term “game of skill or amusement” for the purpose of this Article is hereby defined to mean and include any mechanical, electrical, electronic, or video machine, device or apparatus, or combination thereof, the operation or use of which is permitted, controlled, allowed or made possible by the deposit or placing of any coin, plate, disk, slug or key into any slot, crevice or other opening or by the payment of any fee or fees, for the use as a game, contest or amusement of any description, or which may be used for any such game, contest or amusement, and the use or possession of which is not prohibited by any law of the State of California. This definition shall include video games which generate or display a computer or electronically created image on a screen, but shall exclude “peep show devices” as defined in Section 33.3302.
The phrase “any place in the City of San Diego open to the public” shall include clubs, headquarters and meeting places of fraternal or other societies, associations and bodies.
The Chief of Police may inspect such games of skill or amusement or their plans to ensure that such games are not in violation of any other provision of law.
(Amended 7–23–1990 by O–17498 N.S.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter03/Ch03Art03Division16.pdf#page=6Fetched: 10/28/2026