Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs: Mechanical Amusement Machines
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Basic Business License Information:
Mechanical Amusement Machines

NAICS CODE:  713120-2

NAICS DESCRIPTION:  This classification applies if you provide any machine, device, or appliance (except music machines) for public use as a game, entertainment, or amusement, whether or not it registers a score or uses skill or luck. The machine may be operated or started by the insertion of a coin, slug, token, plate, or disc, if none of the machines have been authorized, licensed, or allowed to display or use any mechanism which has been or may be judicially determined to be a gaming device.

Endorsement Class:  Entertainment Services

Legal Authority:  DC Code 47-2821; 47-2851    DC Municipal Regulation Title 19 Chapter 14       

License Duration:   Two (2) Years                  Category License Fee:   $50.00 per 3 units
License Available Online:   No Application Fee:    $70.00
Online Processing Fee:   N/A  Endorsement Fee:   $25.00

            
Payment Method 

If applying in person, you can pay for your Basic Business License (BBL) by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Business License Center, 941 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20002. 

If applying by mail you can pay for your Basic Business License (BBL) by check or money order payable to "DC Treasurer" and submitted to:

Bank of America Lockbox Services
Attention: DC Government Wholesale Lockbox #91360
Bank of America Lockbox Services
11333 McCormick Road
Hunt Valley, MD 21031

Application Requirements

All applicants for a Basic Business License must comply with the following DC Code requirements: 

Basic Business License Application 
To make sure you get your BBL as quickly as possible, you must submit a properly completed Basic Business License Application package.  All of your responses should be printed clearly in English.
Certificate of Occupancy / Compliance for Zoning Regulations
Before applying for your BBL, you'll need a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the location where your business is conducted to demonstrate that your business does not conflict with building and zoning codes.  (If your business is located in an office building, you may operate under the umbrella of the C of O issued to the owner of the building, as long as the C of O was issued for the entire building; check with your building owner or management company for the C of O holder name, number, and issue date.)  If you have any questions about Certificates of Occupancy, please call the Building & Land Regulation Administration at (202) 442-4589.
 
Clean Hands Certification
You'll also need to certify that you don't owe more than $100 to the District of Columbia government as a result of fees, penalties, interest, or taxes through completion of a Clean Hands form provided in your BBL application package.
Office of Tax & Revenue (OTR) Registration
Before applying for your BBL, you'll also need to register your business with OTR and submit a copy of your tax registration certificate with your application.  If you're not already registered, simply complete and file a Combined Business Tax Registration Application (Form FR500). You get all the necessary forms and submit your application online at the Business this can also be done online at the Business Tax Service Center. For more information, please call the Tax Customer Center at (202) 727-4829.
 
Public Notice
Before you get a license to operate a video arcade, DCRA will give notice by advertisement -- published twice a week for at least 2 weeks in the DC Register -- that lists the arcade’s owner, address, and any trade name; the date you posted the notice; the deadline for people to file requests to oppose or support license issuance; proposed hours of operation; the kind of entertainment or events the arcade will have; and the address to send all comments.
 
 
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Special Instructions
If your business falls into one of the following categories, there are additional requirements for your BBL application, as described below.
 
Corporation Division Requirements
If you are a corporation, partnership or limited liability company you must be registered in the District and in good standing.  For instructions on how to register, please go to DCRA Corporate Registration Information Center. For more information, please call the Corporation Division at (202) 442-4432.
 
Non-Resident of the District of Columbia (including Foreign Corporations)
If you are not a resident of the District of Columbia, you'll need to appoint a Resident Agent or an Attorney-in-Fact who lives or works in an office in the District, who will be the official recipient of any financial, process, or legal notices that we need to send to you.  If you are not a DC resident, please complete the Certified Resident Agent Appointment Form.
 
Corporate Registered Agents
Every corporation needs to have a registered agent office in the District of Columbia. This office can but does not need to be the same as your place of business. Foreign corporations doing business in DC need to certify that their named registered agent is duly authorized to represent that corporation.
 
Trade Name Operative (Use of Fictitious Business Name)
If your business uses a Trade Name, you'll need to register the name with DCRA and indicate both the trade name and the official business name (including its corporation, LLC, or partnership classification) if applicable.   

Other District or Federal Agencies Involved for this Basic Business License  

Additional Business Activities (BBL Endorsements)

If you conduct more than one business activity (endorsement type), you'll need to indicate those activities on your BBL application.  You might have any number of additional business activities connected to this particular license endorsement. 

Special Notes: If your business includes any of the above endorsement activities, you can get additional fact sheets and application forms by contacting DCRA's License Center at (202) 442-4311, or by email at bbl.infocenter@dc.gov.