2023 Tennessee Code
Title 39 - CRIMINAL OFFENSES (§§ 39-1-101 — 39-17-1812)
Chapter 17 - OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE (§§ 39-17-101 — 39-17-1812)
Part 5 - GAMBLING (§§ 39-17-501 — 39-17-509)
Section 39-17-502 - Gambling - Defenses

Universal Citation:
TN Code § 39-17-502 (2023)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.

  • (a) A person commits an offense who knowingly engages in gambling.
  • (b) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section, which must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence, that a person reasonably and in good faith relied upon the representations of a gambling promoter that a gambling activity was lawful because it was an authorized annual event pursuant to title 3, chapter 17. It is not an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that a person engaged in a gambling activity that was not an authorized type of lottery game pursuant to title 3, chapter 17.
  • (c) The offense of gambling is a Class C misdemeanor.

Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 2004, ch. 476, § 3.


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