NEWARK - Inspectors from the New Jersey Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission are out across the state, checking that the approximately 1,000 amusement games located along boardwalks and at fairs are licensed and properly operated.

"The Jersey Shore and amusement games along its boardwalks are a summer tradition,” Acting Consumer Affairs Director Stephen B. Nolan said. "While most are operated honestly, there are games out there that are set up to defraud consumers. We want the patrons of these games to be able to spot the fraudulent games so that they can avoid being the victims of unfair contests."

Last year, LGCCC inspectors opened 425 cases related to alleged violations of amusement game regulations. More than $50,000 in penalties were assessed.

Acting Director Nolan noted the following tips for consumers:

All games must be licensed. Look to see that the license is posted.
Rules for games must be clearly posted and labeled as “rules.” If you can't understand the rules, don't play the game.
An operator cannot change the rules of play during game play.
An operator can only charge a maximum of $10.00 to play a game, and the price must be posted.
Cash cannot be awarded as a prize; any merchandise offered as a prize cannot exceed $5,000 in value.
An operator cannot hold your change. An operator must give you your change back immediately. If he or she holds your change, he or she may try to make you continue to play the game and keep a running total of what you owe him or her.

A prize must be labeled indicating what it takes to win it. If you can't figure out how to win a prize, be wary. If all you see are large expensive prizes, your chance of winning them may be small. If the game and the prizes look like they're too good to be true, DON'T PLAY!!! Know the games and what to look for. Obtain a complete set of rules of play for most amusement games at www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/lgccc.htm Simply click on "Amusement Game Certification of Permissibility."

Here are some common ploys to look out for when playing these games:

Tag Balloon Dart Game

In this game, you throw a dart at a balloon. If the balloon breaks, you win the prize that is marked on the tag behind that balloon.

What to look for:

A game board full of tags and very few balloons to break.
Prizes of so many different sizes that you can't tell what you can win.

Bushel Basket Ball Toss

In this game, you toss a softball-type ball into a large basket or large plastic tub. If you can keep the ball in the tub, you win.

What to look for:

An operator who shows you how the game is played, but not from the spot where you will be playing. The operator often stands closer and off to the side of the basket. You will be standing farther away and directly in front of the basket. An operator who tells you, after your ball hits the rim of the basket and goes in, that your try doesn't count because hitting the rim is a foul. Any ball that rests in the basket is a winner.

What to do if you've been cheated?

If you think you may have been cheated at an amusement game at the shore, an amusement park or a fair contact the Division of Consumer Affairs' Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission at (973) 273-8000 or send your complaint in writing to P.O. Box 46000, Newark, N.J. 07101.

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