(a) A penalty of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be assessed by the commissioner for every machine that is available for commercial use and for play by the public without a sticker or that is located in a business where the master license of the owner is not displayed.

Attorney's Note

Under the Tennessee Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
class C misdemeanorup to 30 daysup to $50
class A misdemeanorup to 11 monthsup to $2,500
For details, see Tenn. Code § 40-35-111

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 67-4-2206

  • Bona fide coin-operated amusement machine: means any coin or token operated game, machine or device that, as a result of depositing a coin, token or other object, automatically or by or through some mechanical or electronic operation involving skill, chance, or a combination thereof, affords music, amusement, or entertainment of some character without vending any merchandise. See Tennessee Code 67-4-2203
  • Business owner or business operator: means an owner or operator of a business where one (1) or more bona fide coin-operated amusement machines are available for commercial use and play by the public. See Tennessee Code 67-4-2203
  • Commissioner: means the commissioner of revenue. See Tennessee Code 67-4-2203
  • Machine tax: means the annual per machine tax that every owner of a bona fide coin-operated amusement machine in commercial use must pay. See Tennessee Code 67-4-2203
  • Master license: means the certificate that every owner of a bona fide coin-operated amusement machine must obtain and display in the business owner's or business operator's place of business where the machine is located for commercial use by the public for play, in order to operate the machine in this state legally. See Tennessee Code 67-4-2203
  • Owner: means any person, individual, firm, company, association, or other business entity owning any bona fide coin-operated amusement machine. See Tennessee Code 67-4-2203
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Sticker: means the decal issued for each bona fide coin-operated amusement machine to show proof of payment of the machine tax. See Tennessee Code 67-4-2203
(b)

(1) An owner who knowingly makes a bona fide coin-operated amusement machine available for commercial use and for play by the public without a current master license or without a sticker affixed to the machine commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(2) A business owner or business operator who knowingly permits bona fide coin-operated amusement machines to be operated by the public on the business’ premises without display of a copy of the owner’s master license or without a sticker affixed to each machine commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) Intentional removal of a machine tax sticker from a bona fide coin-operated amusement machine by the owner, except as permitted in § 67-4-2205(b), or by a person other than the owner is a Class C misdemeanor.
(d) Any bona fide coin-operated amusement machine available for commercial use and play by the public in a location that does not have a copy of the owner’s master license displayed or any bona fide coin-operated amusement machine available for commercial use and play by the public without a valid sticker affixed is subject to confiscation as contraband. Prior to confiscation, the owner shall have thirty (30) days in which to remedy any noncompliance with this part, including payment of any penalties.