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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:
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All games must be licensed. Look to see
that the license is posted.
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Rules for games must be clearly posted
and labeled as “rules.” If
you can't understand the rules, don't
play the game.
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An operator cannot change the rules of
play during game play.
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An operator can only charge a maximum
of $10.00 to play a game, and the price
must be posted.
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Cash cannot be awarded as a prize; any
merchandise offered as a prize cannot
exceed $5,000 in value.
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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.
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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.
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If the game and the prizes look like they're
too good to be true, DON'T PLAY!!!
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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.
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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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