Code of Alabama
Ala. Code § 13A-12-27 (2026)
Possession of Gambling Device.
✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026
(a) A person commits the crime of possession of a gambling device if with knowledge of the character thereof he or she manufactures, sells, transports, places or possesses, or conducts or negotiates any transaction affecting or designed to affect ownership, custody or use of:
(1) A slot machine, unless exempted pursuant to subsection (c); or
(2) Any other gambling device, with the intention that it be used in the advancement of unlawful gambling activity.
(b) Possession of a gambling device is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) The crime of possession of a gambling device does not apply to a slot machine manufactured before 1960, with the intention that the slot machine be used only for the personal and private use of the owner or for public display as a historical artifact in a manner that the slot machine is not accessible to the public.
(Acts 1977, No. 607, p. 812, §6125; Act 2022-189, §1.)
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1980–2023 · leading case: Ex Parte Ted's Game Enter., 893 So. 2d 376 (Ala. 2004).
Ex Parte Ted's Game Enter., 893 So. 2d 376 (Ala. 2004). “Any device, machine, paraphernalia or equipment that is normally 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.”
Lucky Jacks Ent. Ctr., LLC v. Jopat Bldg. Corp., 32 So. 3d 565 (Ala. 2009). “Pursuant to the lease agreement as ultimately amended, Lucky Jacks Entertainment began operating a video-sweepstakes center on the property in September 2006. Lucky Jacks Entertainment paid rent as required by the lease agreement for each month it occupied the premises,…”
Barber v. Cornerstone Cmty. Outreach, Inc., 42 So. 3d 65 (Ala. 2009). “1901, [3] and whether the electronic gaming machines seized by the Task Force constitute illegal "slot machines" under § 13A-12-27, Ala. Code 1975. Cornerstone requested a preliminary injunction restraining the Task Force from any further interference with its operation at the…”
Johnson v. Jefferson Cnty. Racing Ass'n, 1 So. 3d 960 (Ala. 2008). “NOTES [1] Section 13A-12-27, Ala.Code 1975, provides: "(a) A person commits the crime of possession of a gambling device if with knowledge of the character thereof he manufactures, sells, transports, places or possesses, or conducts or negotiates any transaction affecting or…”
State of Alabama v. PCI Gaming Auth., 801 F.3d 1278 (11th Cir. 2015). “, Ala.Code § 13A-12-27(a)(l) (criminalizing the possession of slot machines).”
Alabama v. PCI Gaming Auth., 15 F. Supp. 3d 1161 (M.D. Ala. 2014). “IV, § 65, and slot machines in particular, see Ala.Code § 13A-12-27, and that class III gaming is not allowed in Alabama on Indian lands or elsewhere.”
Tyson v. Jones, 60 So. 3d 831 (Ala. 2010). “m automatically processes an instant game of virtual ‘bingo’ upon activation and a wager by the human player, the outcome of which is based predominantly on chance rather than on any meaningful human interaction or skill; and “WHEREAS, regardless of the ‘game’ in question, the…”
Johnny Ford v. Luther J. Strange, III, 580 F. App'x 701 (11th Cir. 2014). “” Ala.Code § 13A-12-27. The Alabama Constitution, however, provides for the adoption of “amendments which affect[ ] or appl[y] to only one county” if approved by, inter alia, a majority vote of the qualified electors in that county.”
Adell v. Macon Cnty. Greyhound Park, Inc., 785 F. Supp. 2d 1226 (M.D. Ala. 2011). “They also argue that the machines are “slot machines,” which are forms of “gambling device[s]” that are illegal in Alabama, see Ala.Code § 13A-12-27. (Doc. # 80, at 49, 51; Compl.”
Ex parte State, 121 So. 3d 337 (Ala. 2013). “Section 13A-12-27, Ala.Code 1975, provides: "(a) A person commits die crime of possession of a gambling device if with knowledge of the character thereof he manufactures, sells, transports, places or possesses, or conducts or negotiates any transaction affecting or designed to…”
Gasser v. Morgan, 498 F. Supp. 1154 (N.D. Ala. 1980). “Other examples of Alabama statutes which make the possession of items illegal only if a certain mens rea is present are Section 13A-9-9, criminal possession of forgery device; Section 13A-8-2, theft of property; Section 13A-7-28, criminal possession of noxious substances;…”
Taylor v. Siegelman, 230 F. Supp. 2d 1284 (N.D. Ala. 2002). “, defendant Barber’s memorandum in opposition to plaintiffs motion, at 2-3 (“[t]he State filed a petition to condemn [Rabne’s] machines on April 23, 2002 pursuant to § 13A-12-30(c) because they are in violation of § 13A-12-27” 11 ) and 8 (“The plaintiffs are not entitled to…”
— Ala. Code § 13A-12-27(a)(l) — 1 case
State of Alabama v. PCI Gaming Auth., 801 F.3d 1278 (11th Cir. 2015). “, Ala.Code § 13A-12-27(a)(l) (criminalizing the possession of slot machines).”
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