Washington Code 9.46.215 – Ownership or interest in gambling device — Penalty — Exceptions
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(1) Whoever knowingly owns, manufactures, possesses, buys, sells, rents, leases, finances, holds a security interest in, stores, repairs, or transports any gambling device or offers or solicits any interest therein, whether through an agent or employee or otherwise, is guilty of a class C felony and shall be fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years or both.
Attorney's Note
Under the Washington Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| class C felony | up to 5 years | up to $10,000 |
Terms Used In Washington Code 9.46.215
- Commission: as used in this chapter , means the Washington state gambling commission created in RCW 9. See Washington Code 9.46.0221
- Gambling: as used in this chapter , means staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome. See Washington Code 9.46.0237
- Gambling device: as used in this chapter , means: (1) Any device or mechanism the operation of which a right to money, credits, deposits or other things of value may be created, in return for a consideration, as the result of the operation of an element of chance, including, but not limited to slot machines, video pull-tabs, video poker, and other electronic games of chance; (2) any device or mechanism which, when operated for a consideration, does not return the same value or thing of value for the same consideration upon each operation thereof; (3) any device, mechanism, furniture, fixture, construction or installation designed primarily for use in connection with professional gambling; and (4) any subassembly or essential part designed or intended for use in connection with any such device, mechanism, furniture, fixture, construction or installation. See Washington Code 9.46.0241
- person: as used in this chapter , include natural persons, corporations and partnerships and associations of persons; and when any corporate officer, director or stockholder or any partner authorizes, participates in, or knowingly accepts benefits from any violation of this chapter committed by his or her corporation or partnership, he or she shall be punishable for such violation as if it had been directly committed by him or her. See Washington Code 9.46.0289
(2) This section does not apply to persons licensed by the commission, or who are otherwise authorized by this chapter, or by commission rule, to conduct gambling activities without a license, respecting devices that are to be used, or are being used, solely in that activity for which the license was issued, or for which the person has been otherwise authorized if:
(a) The person is acting in conformance with this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter; and
(b) The devices are a type and kind traditionally and usually employed in connection with the particular activity.
(3) This section also does not apply to any act or acts by the persons in furtherance of the activity for which the license was issued, or for which the person is authorized, when the activity is conducted in compliance with this chapter and in accordance with the rules adopted under this chapter.
(4) In the enforcement of this section direct possession of any such a gambling device is presumed to be knowing possession thereof.
NOTES:
Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
Effective date—1994 c 218: See note following RCW 9.46.010.