Boardwalk Arcade Pays Fine for Fixable Cranes

NORTH WILDWOOD — During an unannounced inspection last summer, a local arcade operator’s crane machines were deemed fixable by state regulators.
According to the state Division of Consumer Affairs, Pohlman Enterprises, Inc., which does business as Ed’s Funcade Arcade, violated Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission (LGCCC) regulations that prohibit licensees from engaging in deceptive, misleading or fraudulent activity in the operation of amusement games. Inspectors found that Ed’s crane machines could be manipulated to reduce a customer’s chance of winning a prize.
The company agreed to pay a $3,000 penalty and serve three-months of probation. If further violations occur during the probationary period, the company’s license would be suspended, a release stated.
“A visit to the Jersey Shore includes playing in boardwalk arcades for many and LGCCC investigators check to ensure amusement games give consumers a fair chance at winning a prize,” said Consumer Affairs Director David Szuchman. “The LGCCC will act, as it did in this matter, when the rules and regulations that ensure fairness are violated.”
According to a release, the LGCCC conducted inspections of boardwalk arcades last summer as part of a coordinated task force and this year again will conduct unannounced arcade inspections.
Ed’s Funcade has three locations on the Wildwoods Boardwalk: 20th Avenue, 23rd Avenue and on the Sportland Pier. According to small business information Web site Manta.com, Edward Pohlman is the president of the company, which has estimated annual sales of $1.4 million.
The company’s Web site said Ed’s Funcade will re-open for the 2009 season on Palm Sunday weekend April 4 and 5 followed by a big party featuring two Easter egg hunts on Easter weekend April 11 and 12.
Ed’s Funcade was voted the best arcade on the Jersey Shore for 2008 by MyFoxPhilly.com.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com