Whoever shall in the District set up or keep any gaming table, or any house, vessel, or place, on land or water, for the purpose of gaming, or gambling device commonly called A B C, faro bank, E O, roulette, equality, keno, thimbles, or little joker, or any kind of gaming table or gambling device adapted, devised, and designed for the purpose of playing any game of chance for money or property, or shall induce, entice, and permit any person to bet or play at or upon any such gaming table or gambling device, or on the side of or against the keeper thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of not more than 5 years. For the purposes of this section, the term “gambling device” shall not include slot machines manufactured before 1952, intended for exhibition or private use by the owner, and not used for gambling purposes. The term “slot machine” means a mechanical device, an essential part of which is a drum or reel which bears an insignia and which when operated may deliver, as a result of the application of an element of chance, a token, money, or property, or by operation of which a person may become entitled to receive, as a result of this application of an element of chance, a token, money, or property.
CREDIT(S)
(Mar. 3, 1901, 31 Stat. 1331, ch. 854, § 865; Jan. 26, 1982, D.C. Law 4-59, § 2, 28 DCR 4766.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 22-1504.
1973 Ed., § 22-1504.
Legislative History of Laws
Law 4-59, the “Antique Slot Machine Act of 1981,” was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 4-129, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on September 29, 1981, and October 13, 1981, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on October 30, 1981, it was assigned Act No. 4-105 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review.
