As used in this chapter:

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Terms Used In North Dakota Code 12.1-28-01

  • person: includes , where relevant, a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, unincorporated association, or other legal entity. See North Dakota Code 12.1-01-04
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49

1.    “Gambling” means risking any money, credit, deposit, or other thing of value for gain, contingent, wholly or partially, upon lot, chance, the operation of gambling apparatus, or the happening or outcome of an event, including an election or sporting event, over which the person taking the risk has no control. Gambling does not include:

a.    Lawful contests of skill, speed, strength, or endurance in which awards are made only to entrants or to the owners of entries; b.    Lawful business transactions, or other acts or transactions now or hereafter expressly authorized by law; or

c.    Use of gaming equipment and devices that may not otherwise be lawful in the state when the equipment or devices are used by any institution under the control of the state board of higher education which awards degrees of bachelor’s or higher for the purpose of conducting scientific research in a controlled environment on the campus of that institution.

2.    “Gambling apparatus” means any device, machine, paraphernalia, or equipment that is used or usable in the playing phases of any gambling activity, whether that activity consists of gambling between persons, or gambling by a person involving the playing of a machine. Gambling apparatus does not include an amusement game or device as defined in section 53-04-01.

3.    “Gambling house” means any location or structure, stationary or movable, wherein gambling is permitted or promoted, or where a lottery is conducted or managed. In the application of this definition, any place where gambling apparatus is found is presumed to be a gambling house, provided that this presumption shall not apply where cards, dice, or other games are found in a private residence.

4.    “Lottery” means any plan for the distribution of a thing of value, whether tangible or intangible, to a person or persons selected by chance from among participants, some or all of whom have given a consideration for the chance of being selected.