Surprise Checks for Jersey Shore Boardwalk Games

Inspectors make sure beachgoers have a chance playing games of chance

It was surprise inspection day along the Seaside Heights boardwalk yesterday

Eight inspectors spent several hours on Friday checking amusement games to make sure players have a fair chance to win prizes. It was the fourth stop of the day for New Jersey's Consumer Affairs' summer task force. Inspectors found 10 violations; one at a beer pong game.

"When we checked the level of the playing field it was 3/4" tilted to the back ....it would be difficult for any participant to get the ball into any of the fishbowls," said Scott Jenkins, investigations chief for legalized games of chance control commission.

The most common violations: over-inflated balls and impossible to win claw games. Several businesses were issued tickets and will have to pay a fine of up to $500 per violation.

"It hits the rims and they bounce right out. That's been going on for years," said Dan Oldenburg of Cliffwood Beach, NJ.

"We always try to make everything work the best we can but sometimes things malfunction. We just have to look at it, fix it and make it work," said arcade manager Walter Pineda.
 
State inspectors have already stopped by Point Pleasant and the Sussex County fair. During July's inspection in Wildwood inspectors found $35,000 in banned bath salts. The next and last inspection site on the state's list is Atlantic City.
 

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