GROVES — Groves has joined with neighboring cities in working to regulate gaming establishments — and by doing so updated a decades-old ordinance.

When the previous ordinance was put in place for coin-operated machines, game rooms typically meant places for people to play pinball, Pac-Man and Galaxa. But the definition for game rooms means something different now and usually includes 8-liners, which are strictly for amusement purposes with noncash merchandise prizes.

The new wording in the ordinance requires the owner to obtain a permit from the city, comply with all codes and zoning requirements, signage to clearly identify the site as a gaming site, and cannot be within 300 feet of any church, hospital or school plus other requirements.

There are also fees associated with the running of the establishment. There is an application fee of $1,000 as is and a renewal fee of $1,000; occupation tax per machine is $15, regulatory enforcement license per machine is $400, in addition to other fees. And there are fees for violations of specific rules.

Operating hours for gaming machines are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and each machine must be made physically inaccessible and unusable between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Currently the city has only one game room, which is located in the strip mall where Big Lots and West End Hardware are located on Twin City Highway.

Groves City Manager D. Sosa said the city has not had any problems with this establishment.

“It is being checked periodically and the owner runs a good operation,” Sosa said. “We have not had any complaints and the owner self-regulates.”

Sosa added that no youngsters hang out at the business, there is no loitering and it is being run as the ordinance requires.

Currently the business is grandfathered in with the new ordinance but will have to comply when the owner renews his permit.