§ 21-964 — “Slot machine” defined.

A. For the purpose of Sections 964 through 977 of this title, “slot machine” is defined to be: 1. Any machine, instrument, mechanism, or device that operates or may be operated or played mechanically, electrically, automatically, or manually, and which can be played or operated by any person by inserting in any manner into said machine, instrument, mechanism, or device, a coin, chip, token, check, credit, money, representative of value, or a thing of value, and by which play or operation such person will stand to win or lose, whether by skill or chance, or by both, a thing of value; and 2. Any machine, instrument, mechanism, or device that operates or may be played or operated mechanically, electrically, automatically, or manually, and which can be played or operated by any person by paying to or depositing with any person, or by depositing with or into any cache, slot, or place a coin, chip, token, check, credit, money, representative of value, or a thing of value, and by which play or operation such person will stand to win or lose, whether by skill or chance, or by both, a thing of value. B. Sections 964 through 977 of this title shall not apply to a slot machine: 1. If the slot machine is twenty-five (25) years or older and is not used for gambling purposes; or 2. If the slot machine is used for the purpose of teaching slot machine repair and is not used for gambling purposes. C. Sections 964 through 977 of this title shall not apply to use of a crane machine for nongambling purposes. For purposes of this section, “crane machine” shall mean a machine that upon insertion of a coin, bill, token or similar object, allows the player to skillfully use one or more buttons, joysticks or other controls to maneuver a crane or claw over a toy or novelty in an attempt to retrieve the toy or novelty for the player. The toy or novelty shall not be subject to being exchanged for any other prize, including but not limited to credits, money or other thing of value. D. A slot machine which is twenty-five (25) years or older or is used for teaching slot machine repair which is used for a gambling purpose in violation of the provisions of Section 970 of this title shall be subject to confiscation as provided by Section 973 of this title.

Legislative History

Added by Laws 1939, p. 9, § 1, emerg. eff. April 28, 1939. Amended by Laws 1983, c. 174, § 1, operative July 1, 1983; Laws 1995, c. 68, § 1; Laws 1999, c. 364, § 3, eff. July 1, 1999.