§ 8.04.020. Declaration of policy.

(A) It is found and declared that the public health, safety, morals and welfare of the inhabitants of the county require the regulation and control of all persons engaged in, associated with, in control of, or having the right to any portion of the profits of the business of gambling games and devices. All such persons, as hereinafter defined in this chapter, shall be licensed or controlled so as to protect the public health, safety, morals, good order and general welfare of the inhabitants of the county and to assist the gaming industry to foster its stability and growth. It is further found and declared that the right to obtain such license is a privilege and that the operation of such gambling facility, when authorized by such license, is a privileged business subject to regulations, and that the license may be revoked for cause. The burden of proving qualification to receive or retain any license or finding of suitability is on the applicant.

(B)

The board believes that the gaming industry is vitally important to the economy of the county and the general welfare of the inhabitants thereof and that the continued growth and success of the gaming industry is dependent upon public confidence and trust that licensed gaming is conducted honestly and competitively and that the gaming industry is free from criminal and corruptive elements.

(C)

These regulations define business license department procedure and regulate gaming operations within the jurisdiction of the board, but do not in any degree limit the general power of the board to grant or deny applications for licenses and to impose conditions, limitations and restrictions upon a license or to restrict, revoke or suspend a license for cause after hearing, or to immediately suspend or limit a license in an emergency. These regulations are to be liberally interpreted so as to grant the board broad final discretion in all licensing matters.

(Reg. G-58-80 § 2, 1980: Reg. G-45-78 § 1, 1978: Reg. G-30-73 § 1, 1973: Reg. G-11-61 § 2, 1961)