2011 Connecticut Code
Title 52 Civil Actions
Chapter 924 Wagering Contracts
Sec. 52-554. Recovery of money lost in gaming.

      Sec. 52-554. Recovery of money lost in gaming. Any person who, by playing at any game, or betting on the sides or hands of such as play at any game, excluding any game permitted under chapter 226 or any activity not prohibited under the provisions of sections 53-278a to 53-278g, inclusive, loses the sum or value of one dollar in the whole and pays or delivers the same or any part thereof, may, within three months next following, recover from the winner the money or the value of the goods so lost and paid or delivered, with costs of suit in a civil action, without setting forth the special matter in his complaint. If the defendant refuses to testify, if called upon in such action, relative to the discovery of the property so won, he shall be defaulted; but no evidence so given by him shall be offered against him in any criminal prosecution.

      (1949 Rev., S. 6786; P.A. 81-16, S. 1, 2.)

      History: P.A. 81-16 specifically excluded games permitted under chapter 226 or any activity not prohibited under Secs. 53-278a to 53-278g, inclusive.

      Money wagered is recoverable from stakeholder. 15 C. 31; 40 C. 336. Under former statute a negotiable check given by the stakeholder to the winner for the amount wagered was void even in the hands of a bona fide holder. 36 C. 463. Legislation re gaming reviewed. 70 C. 490. This statute embraces all events mentioned in section 52-553; allows recovery of money lost and paid in bet on a horse race. 100 C. 545. Not necessary to state details of bets in complaint. 125 C. 116. No credit for bets won by defendant. Id., 121. Claim for share of fund increased by betting in Rhode Island, though valid there, contravenes our public policy and cannot be enforced in our courts. 134 C. 52. Gambling on credit is the vice at which this statute and Sec. 52-553 are particularly directed. 189 C. 591.

      Cited. 33 CS 170. Statute does not extend to legalized gambling authorized by Sec. 12-557 et seq. 37 CS 88.