Ownership of slot machines, used or otherwise, is illegal in those states. Other states have no legal restrictions on slot machine ownership as long as you’re not using them to run a gambling business. These states include: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. In the US, the laws for owning a slot machine for personal use differ from one state to another. New Jersey has been a gambling hub in the US, and is home to 12 huge casinos. However, the state considers possession of a gambling device as illegal, and as a violation of the Section 116 of the New Jersey Casino Control Act, unless the slot. (a) Prohibit the Department of Law Enforcement or any law enforcement authority whose jurisdiction includes a licensed facility from conducting investigations of criminal activities.
Americans have embraced gambling by for centuries. Before our country fought the Revolutionary War, settlers enjoyed European card games and participated in simple lotteries. As the country grew, gambling halls and saloons were gathering places. In the 20th century, local, state, and the federal government got involved. Some states sought to restrict gambling activities while others legalized gambling. Today, many states have brick and mortar casinos, sports betting outlets, lotteries, and race tracks.
Nevada (Las Vegas) was the first to legalize many types of gambling in 1931. New Jersey (Atlantic City) followed decades later in 1977. With the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988, reservations throughout the U.S. were permitted to offer gambling and gaming to generate revenues. To complicate things a bit, the Federal Wire Act of 1961 limited sports wagering between the states.
Online gambling has caused the states to review their positions on online casino games, including video poker, baccarat, roulette, keno, blackjack, faro, slots, craps, etc. If you’re accused of a gaming or gambling crime, or another party has offered illegal gambling in Texas, contact an experienced criminal attorney now.
Gambling is legal for those who are 21 years of age or older at Eagle Pass in Texas (Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino). People in Texas can also legally participate in the Texas Lottery or make pari-mutuel wagers on greyhound and horse racing. Raffles, charitable bingo, and pull-tab bets are also considered legal in Texas.
In comparison, some states allow 18-year-olds to gamble. Today, Alaska, Arkansas**, California (some locations), Connecticut***, Delaware (horse racing only), Florida**/***, Idaho, Indiana**, Louisiana**, Maine**, Maryland**, Minnesota**, New Mexico, New York (by casino), Ohio**, Oklahoma (by casino), Oregon***, Pennsylvania**, South Dakota ***, Washington** (some casinos), Wisconsin***, and Wyoming allow some gambling to 18-year-olds.
**Pari-mutuel wagers only (short duration events, such as horse racing, jai alai, or greyhound racing, or any event with ranked order participation)
***Bingo only
All other states require gamblers to be at least 21 years of age. It’s impossible to get around the age requirement at brick and mortar casinos. If you attempt to gamble before you’re 21 years old, you may be arrested, incur fines, or have your money confiscated by law enforcement.
The point of confusion for many would-be gamblers concerns online gambling. For instance, there may be a difference in the age required by the site and the age required by Texas to gamble. If the site says you can gamble at age 18 but Texas state law requires you to be at least 21 years old, you must comply with Texas state law. Don’t risk jail time and fines for gambling or gaming arrests.
Texas gambling laws are some of the strictest in the nation. For instance, Texas Hold ‘Em card game bets are illegal in Texas. Gamblers must be 21 years old. They may be on greyhound or horse racing, social gambling (like office pools), charitable raffles, and bingo. The law says that gambling on other games of chances is against the law in Texas.
Under Code Section PEN 47.01 et seq. and Civ. St. 179e, gambling, or agreeing to win or lose money or something of value based on chance, or keeping a casino (other than one casino on Indian lands) is prohibited. Promoting any form of gambling (other than pari-mutuel wagers), maintaining a place of gambling, communicating information about gambling, or owning gambling devices are illegal in Texas. For that reason:
• Card games, sports bets, and scratch tickets (other than those legally offered by the Texas Lottery) are illegal.
• Casinos, other than Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, are illegal in Texas. As a casino on native lands, the Lucky Eagle location is permitted.
• Social gambling, like bingo games, private card games, or charity auctions are allowed unless the organizer takes a portion of the proceeds. The law in Texas says that gambling may occur in a private place as long as the chance of losing and winning are evenly distributed.
• Slot machines with cash payouts are illegal in Texas. If the prizes are inexpensive and not cash items, such as a coffee pot, the law says it’s okay to play.
According to a New York Times article, illegal slot machines are cropping up around Texas, especially in some Rio Grande Valley border towns. The problem has captured the attention of enforcement professionals of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It’s estimated that illegal slots machines generate approximately $1.9 billion per year (up to 150,000 illegal units).
Recognize that gambling at slot machines with cash payouts can mean arrest and legal consequences in Texas. If you or someone you know has been arrested for illegal gambling or gaming in Texas, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney at your side. If you or a loved one has been exploited because of gambling addiction in Houston, Harris County, or throughout Texas, you need a professional attorney to assist in the recovery of your money now. Don’t go it alone. Call Greg Tsioros to discuss your matter now at 832-752-5972 now. We’re standing by 24/7 to take your call.
Slot Machines Unlimited Inc. is registered by the United States Department of Justice – Attorney General’s Office in Washington, DC and operates in full compliance with the Gambling Devices Act of 1962. This registration includes the buying, reconditioning, repairing and selling of gambling devices.
It is crucial the customer verify laws regarding ownership of gambling devices in the state of residence. We provide a State-by-State reference chart below. However, it is the sole responsibility of the customer to determine and verify their own State’s, County’s, Township’s or Municipality’s laws, statutes, and/or ordinances for private home ownership of slot machines and/or gambling devices.
Private home ownership of slot machines is for entertainment and amusement purchases only. Slot machines are sold for home use only. Unless specifically permitted by law, the use of privately owned gambling devices for gambling for profit is strictly prohibited.
Customer pick up of slot machines is available from our location in southwestern Ohio. Local home delivery when offered by Slot Machine Unlimited Inc. will only be made to states in which private ownership of a slot machine is permitted by law.
Please reference the below chart about the legality of purchasing a slot machine by state. Slot Machines Unlimited cannot fulfill orders originating from states where slot machine purchases are prohibited by law.
STATE | LEGAL STATUS RESTRICTIONS/USE OF CURRENCY | LEGAL REFERENCE |
Alaska | ALL LEGAL | Alaska Statutes – Section 11.66.260 |
Arizona | ALL LEGAL | Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3301 – 13-3309 |
Arkansas | ALL LEGAL | N/A |
Kentucky | ALL LEGAL | Kentucky Revised Statutes 528.080 |
Maine | ALL LEGAL | Maine Revised Statutes Title 17A – Chapter 39 |
Minnesota | ALL LEGAL | Minnesota Statutes and Criminal Laws |
Nevada | ALL LEGAL | N/A |
Ohio | ALL LEGAL | Ohio Revised Code |
Rhode Island | ALL LEGAL | Rhode Island General Laws |
Texas | ALL LEGAL | Texas Statutes Chapter 47 |
Utah | ALL LEGAL | N/A |
Virginia | ALL LEGAL | N/A |
West Virginia | ALL LEGAL | N/A |
California | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | California Penal Code 330.7 |
Colorado | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1984 | Colorado Revised Statutes 12-47.1-103 |
Delaware | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | 28 Delaware 904 |
Florida | MACHINES 20 YEARS OR OLDER | Florida Statutes 849.235 |
Georgia | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1950 | Georgia Code Title 16, Sec. 16-12-24 |
Idaho | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1950 | Idaho Statutes Title 18, 3810 |
Illinois | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 5/28-1 |
Iowa | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Iowa Code 725.9 |
Kansas | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1950 | Kansas Statutes 21-4306 |
Louisiana | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Louisiana Title 15:31-1 |
Maryland | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Maryland Code Article 27-264B |
Massachusetts | MACHINES 30 YEARS OR OLDER | Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 271, Sec. 5A |
Michigan | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Michigan Compiled Statutes 750.303 |
Mississippi | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Mississippi Code 27-27-12 |
Missouri | MACHINES 30 YEARS OR OLDER | Missouri Revised Statutes 572.070 & 572.125 |
Montana | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Montana State Code 23-5-153 |
New Hamsphire | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | New Hampshire Revised Statutes 647:2 |
New Jersey | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1941 | New Jersey Statute 2C:37-7 |
New York | MACHINES 30 YEARS OR OLDER | New York Consolidated Laws 225.32 |
North Carolina | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | North Carolina General Statutes 14-309.1 |
North Dakota | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | North Dakota Century Code 12.1-28-02 |
Oklahoma | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Oklahoma State Statutes 21-964 |
Oregon | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Oregon Revised Statutes 167.147 |
Pennsylvania | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes 5513 |
South Dakota | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | South Dakota Codified Laws 22-25-14.1 |
Vermont | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1954 | Vermont Statutes Title 13, Ch. 51, Sec. 2135 |
Washington | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Revised Code of Washington 9.46.235 |
Washington, DC | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1952 | District of Columbia 22-1704 |
Wyoming | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Wyoming Statute 6-7-101 |
Alabama | PROHIBITED | AL Code Section 13A, Chapter 12, Article 2 |
Connecticut | PROHIBITED | Connecticut Chapter 946, Section 53-278a |
Hawaii | PROHIBITED | Hawaii Statutes §712-1226 |
Indiana | PROHIBITED | Indiana Code 35-45-5-4 |
Nebraska | PROHIBITED | Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 28-1107 |
New Mexico | PROHIBITED | NM Gaming Control Bd. v. Ten Gaming Devices |
South Carolina | PROHIBITED | South Carolina Code §12-21-2710 |
Tennessee | PROHIBITED | Tennessee Code §39-17-505 |
Wisconsin | PROHIBITED | Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 945 |