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About the New Jersey Amusement Association
The NJAA is a pro-active organization, identifying concerns, while working for the safety, health and overall economic betterment of the amusement industry.
- NJAA monitors and supports legislation that benefits our industry. As a member you will be kept informed of pending legislation and regulations concerning Ride Safety, Gaming Issues, Labor, ADA, Environmental and Health Codes. The NJAA employs a legislative lobbyist and attorney to keep vigilant watch over changing regulations.
- NJAA promotes the serious business of having fun in a safe manner as a vital element of the State's economy. We work to develop good will towards the industry and to encourage the safe public enjoyment of amusement rides, games and businesses.
- NJAA publishes a quarterly newsletter, as well as an annual membership directory and is on-line . These communication avenues provide you with updated information on the association and the amusement industry.
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- NJAA is a socially active association. In addition to our General Membership Meeting at the IAAPA Convention, we sponsor social events including our Annual Dinner Dance, Ladies Day at Monmouth Park, Amusement Industry Day at Six Flags Great Adventure, Annual Golf Outing and Scholarship Cocktail Party. The association also produces the NJAA East Coast Gift & Variety Show, a regional tradeshow for the industry.
- NJAA Scholarship Fund was formed in 1990. This fund awards educational scholarships to high school students entering college and college students continuing their education who have been employed by a member of NJAA.
- NJAA maintains successful working relationships with other associations: including IAAPA, OABA, NJ Business and Industry Association, Campground Association, United Garden State Restaurant and Lodging Association, International Association for the Leisure and Entertainment Industry, International Amusement and Leisure Defense Association and the NJ Chamber of Commerce.
History of Our Association
Amusement rides and games have been inherent to the Seashore Communities along the 127 miles of oceanfront in New Jersey since it was discovered as an ideal summer vacation destination.
In the mid-fifties, a flurry of lawsuits were filed when local law enforcement officials closed down amusement games in Wildwood, Point Pleasant and Asbury Park.
Organization of a state amusement operators' association for New Jersey proprietors of resort businesses followed the persistence of the Governor in forcing them out of their legitimate, long-standing livelihoods. An organization committee was formed in August 1956 with Mayor Stanley J. Tunney of Seaside Heights as a temporary Chairman.
A legislative committee, headed by Gilbert Ramagosa, met with Senator Sandman to have Legislation enacted to legalize games. Introduced January 28, 1957, whenever the Legislature had the bill on it's agenda, arcade owners from throughout the state swarmed to Trenton by private cars and charter busses, packing the gallery to show their support. The Legislation passed through the Senate and Assembly and was approved by public referendum in November 1959.
At that time, the New Jersey Amusement Owners Board of Trade (NJAOBA), with an office in Asbury Park, was formed, with Mayor J. Stanley Tunney, Seaside Heights, as President; Max Tubis, Atlantic City, Vice President; J. Fletcher Creamer, Palisades Park, Treasurer; George Zuckerman, Asbury Park, Secretary; and Directors:
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| Williard Ashmore
Asbury Park
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Robert Guenther,
Olympic Park
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Theodore Polis
Wildwood
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| William A. Baker
Atlantic City
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George Hamid, Sr.
Atlantic City
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Gilbert Ramagosa
Wildwood
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| Edward Ball,
Olympic Park
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Allen K. Harris
Olympic Park
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William Ramagosa
Wildwood
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| Frank Bilotti
Wildwood
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Bill Hooper
Atlantic City
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Herman Rapps
Atlantic City
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| Robert Copeland
Atlantic City
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William D. Hunt
Wildwood
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Joseph Reddy
Atlantic City
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| Lou Costar
Wildwood
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Jerry Joyce
Atlantic City
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Zimel Resnick
Asbury Park
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| George Combs
Wildwood
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Harry Kessel
Keansburg
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Irving Rosenthal
Palisades Park
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| James Crover
Keansburg
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Harry Kofsky
Wildwood
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Karl Rogers
Wildwood
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| Ray Dagastino,
Lake Hopatcong
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Paul Koppel,
Palisades Park
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George Ruty,
Atlantic City
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| William L. Dry
Wildwood
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Edward Lang
Asbury Park
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Fred Scharf
Keansburg
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| Dick Edwards
Seaside Heights
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Mayor D.J. Maher
Long Branch
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Martin Schwartz
Wildwood
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| Irving Fishelberg
Atlantic City
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Robert J. McAllister
Atlantic City
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James Smith
Asbury Park
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| John Fitzgerald
Seaside Heights
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Wm. O'Brien
Atlantic City
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Jos. Weissman
Palisades Park
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| Harry Ganger
Atlantic City
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Ken O'Connell
Atlantic City
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Kenneth Wynne, Jr.
Seaside Heights
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Henry Gehlhaus
Keansburg |
David Parker
Asbury Park |
Meyer Wolf
Atlantic City |
In January 1960, Governor Meyner named an Amusement Games Commissioner within the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control to oversee the newly legitimized amusement games.
On March 18, 1976, the NJAOBOA was incorporated as the New Jersey Amusement Association and trustees named were: Kenneth Wynne, Jr., Casino Pier, Seaside Heights; Edward Lange, Palace Amusements, Asbury Park; Lawrence A. Alper, Steel Pier, Atlantic City; Gilbert Ramagosa, Sportland Pier, Wildwood; and Philip A. Vivona, Colts Neck. President of NJAA at that time was Gilbert Ramagosa.
Again by public referendum, in 1981, the Association successfully had price-per-play and price of prizes upgraded. At that time, the regulations were rewritten to reflect the sought after increase and to have future changes come under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Amusement Games Control; thus eliminating the need to have future referendum placed on the ballot.
The New Jersey Amusement Association Scholarship Fund, Inc., a separate non-profit corporation was formed in October, 1988. Scholarships to one or more students employed in the industry have been presented yearly since 1990. |
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