United States v. Ten Coin-Operated Gaming Devices

388 F. Supp. 801, 36 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 6555, 1975 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13997
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. West Virginia
DecidedFebruary 5, 1975
DocketCiv. A. No. 71-13-C
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 388 F. Supp. 801 (United States v. Ten Coin-Operated Gaming Devices) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. West Virginia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Ten Coin-Operated Gaming Devices, 388 F. Supp. 801, 36 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 6555, 1975 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13997 (N.D.W. Va. 1975).

Opinion

OPINION

ROBERT EARL MAXWELL, Chief Judge.

On February 3, 1971, agents of the Internal Revenue Service seized ten coin-operated machines, along with the coin content from the machines in the amount of $645.90, from various business establishments in Clarksburg, Anmoore and Salem, West Virginia. The seizure, without prior notification of tax liability or that seizure is the penalty for nonpayment of taxes, was made pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 7302, for failure to pay the $250.00 tax imposed by 26 U.S. C. § 4461(a), a violation of 26 U.S.C. § 4901, and for failure to register with the District Director as required by 26 U.S.C. § 7011 and applicable regulations.

The United States subsequently filed a Complaint describing the machines, coin content seized and the location of the establishments where the seizures were made. The Complaint prays forfeiture. American Vending Company, a corporation with its principal office in Clarksburg, West Virginia, intervened, claiming sole ownership of the items seized, and filed its answer to the Complaint.

American Vending Company’s answer denies that the coin-operated machines in question are “gaming devices” within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. § 4462(a)(1), and alleges that if the machines were used for gaming purposes, it was without the knowledge, consent or intent of American Vending Company. It also asserts as a defense that the tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. § 4461(a) is on the occupant of the premises, urging that since American Vending Company did not occupy the premises, the seizure of the machines owned by it for nonpayment of the tax is unlawful and unconstitutional.

A hearing was held on January 9, 1975, at which time testimony was adduced and photographs of the machines were admitted into evidence. The hearing focused on the issue of whether the machines in question are “gaming devices.”

On this question, Special Agent Russell B. Taylor and Melvin Arena, a former Special Agent of the Internal Revenue Service, who participated in the investigation and seizure, testified. The [803]*803witnesses identified the machines seized at the various business establishments. The record reflects fully the description of the machines. Nine of the machines seized (seven “Bally” machines and the two “Silver Sails” machines) were observed to have essentially the same features as those described in United States v. One Bally County Fair Pinball Machine, 238 F.Supp. 362 (W.D.La.1965), United States v. One Bally “Barrel-O-Fun,” 224 F.Supp. 794 (M.D.Pa.1963), and United States v. Korpan, 354 U.S. 271, 77 S.Ct. 1099, 1 L.Ed.2d 1337 (1957). The tenth machine, a “Keeney’s Shawnee,” was described by Agent Taylor as one which could be operated by inserting either a 10-cent or 25-cent coin, followed by the depression of a lever. Wheels containing various insignia (canoes, peace pipes, etc.) would then turn, and if the machine displayed three like insignia, a predetermined number of games would be won and registered on a meter on the machine.

The intervenor-defendant offered no evidence at the hearing, but on cross-examination elicited concessions from the witnesses that although they observed the machines plugged into electrical outlets and lighted up, they did not personally operate the machines, did not observe others operating them, did not observe any person receiving cash, premiums, merchandise or tokens in connection with the operation of the machines and did not inspect or conduct tests on the internal parts of the machines, either before or after seizure. Testimony was also adduced on cross-examination that the wooden rails or frames on the sides of the “Bally” type machines were worn to some degree, indicating that players had influenced or attempted to influence the course of the descent of the balls, which purportedly demonstrated the existence of the element of a skill in the operation of the machines.

The “Bally” and “Silver Sails” machines here possess attributes, viz., a large number of free plays can be won and a concealed “knock-off” button to eliminate such free plays, that the courts found persuasive in determining that such machines were gaming devices in United States v. One Bally “Barrel-O-Fun,” supra, and Turner v. United States, 9 A.F.T.R.2d 2031 (D.Kan.1962). The testimony of Special Agent Taylor and former Special Agent Arena was that these machines possessed tilt mechanisms which limited a player’s ability to influence the course and speed of the descent of the balls played. This very limited control available to the player demonstrates that the element of chance is predominant in these machines. As for the “Keeney’s Shawnee” machine, the description of the machine indicates that there is no element of skill involved in its operation, and the only material difference between this machine and the traditional “one-armed bandit” type machine is that on the latter the player, with a winning combination, receives coins directly, while on the machine here in question, a winning combination results in the registration on a meter of the number of games won.

Notwithstanding the fact that the agents did not play the machines, observe them being played, or test or inspect them, the Court is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to support the conclusion that each of these machines possesses the features that may entitle a player of the machine to receive cash, premiums, merchandise or tokens, and that there is a substantial element of chance involved in the operation of the machines. It must, therefore, be concluded that these machines are gaming devices within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. § 4462(a)(1) and 26 C.F.R. 45-4462-1. It is well established that evidence of actual payoffs is not required to subject such machines to the tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. § 4461(a). United States v. One Bally “Barrel-O-Fun,” supra; Turner v. United States, supra.

The remaining contentions of the intervenor are (1) while continuing to deny that the machines were being used as gaming devices, nevertheless, if such were the case, it was without inter[804]*804venor’s knowledge, consent or intent; and (2) the tax imposed by 26 U.S.C. § 4461(a) is on the occupant of the premises, and since the intervenor was not an occupant of any of the premises from which the seizures were made, forfeiture of the machines is unconstitutional.

The strongest support for intervenor’s contention appears to be United States v. One Bally Sun Valley Pinball Machine, 340 F.Supp. 307 (W.D.La. 1972). There, as in the instant case, a number of “Bally” type pinball machines were seized from retail establishments for nonpayment of the tax imposed on coin-operated gaming devices.

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Bluebook (online)
388 F. Supp. 801, 36 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 6555, 1975 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13997, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-ten-coin-operated-gaming-devices-wvnd-1975.