Tuesday, May 28, 2024–10:06 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
Both the Floyd County and Rome City Commissions approved new coin-operated amusement machine ordinances Tuesday.
Both the city and county ordinances will require a license and spells out minimum distance requirements similar to those that sell alcohol.
Both ordinances also set a limit of six machines per location, and no more than half of the store’s gross receipts come from gaming machines.
The ordinances also spell out the process and penalties for violations.
“We are very limited by state law as to what we can do as a local government,” said Floyd County Attorney Virginia Harman. “We have taken advantage of every opportunity allowed to us under state law. We just cannot go any further. I know there are those out there who are concerned about it, and we have heard that.”
The county commission also approved a $500 fee for the gaming machine license.
Meanwhile, the city ordinance was not approved unanimously as Commissioner Bill Collins voted against it.
Both commissions also voted Tuesday to end the moratorium on new gaming machines.
“We had a moratorium on COAM machines and for those that operate with vape shops and all of those that fit within that group so we could study it for zoning, for public health, and public safety, said Rome City Attorney Andy Davis. “Since you all have passed the COAM ordinance, we have redrafted the resolution to where it would only now apply to those stores that are in the vape or vapor shop business, so that you all can continue to study it.”