Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5512 (2026)

 Lotteries, etc.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 5512.  Lotteries, etc.

(a)  Status of activity.--All unlawful lotteries or numbers games are hereby declared to be common nuisances. Every transfer of property which shall be in pursuance of any unlawful lottery or numbers game is hereby declared to be invalid and void.

(b)  Offense defined.--A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree if he:

(1)  sets up, or maintains, any lottery or numbers game;

(2)  manufactures or prints, or sells, exposes for sale or has in his possession with intent to sell any unlawful lottery or numbers ticket or share, or any writing, token or other device purporting or intending to entitle the holder or bearer, or any other person, to any prize to be drawn or obtained in any lottery, or numbers game; or

(3)  publishes any advertisement of any lottery or numbers game.

(c)  Status of purchaser.--The purchaser of any such ticket, or device, shall not be liable to any prosecution or penalty arising out of this crime, and shall in all respects be a competent witness to prove the offense.

(d)  Definition.--As used in this section the term "unlawful" means not specifically authorized by law.

 

Cross References.  Section 5512 is referred to in sections 911, 5708 of this title; section 341 of Title 4 (Amusements); section 5703 of Title 12 (Commerce and Trade); section 5552 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1976–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Hollingsworth, 499 A.2d 381 (Pa. 1985).
Commonwealth v. Hollingsworth, 499 A.2d 381 (Pa. 1985). · cites it 2× “The appellant, Anna Hollingsworth, was tried by jury and convicted of maintaining lotteries and premises for illegal gambling, 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 5512, 5513. On appeal to this Court, a divided three-judge panel held that the Commonwealth had failed to prove its entitlement to an…”
Commonwealth v. Beauford, 475 A.2d 783 (Pa. 1984). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5512. 2 . Id. § 5513. Appellant Murtha was also convicted of poolselling and bookmaking, § 5514, appellant Forcino of possession of a controlled substance, 35 Pa.”
Commonwealth v. MacHi, 439 A.2d 1230 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1982). · cites it 2× “[1] Pursuant to 18 Pa.Cons.Stat.Ann. § 5512 (Purdon 1973).”
Commonwealth v. Lardo, 368 A.2d 324 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1976). · cites it 2× “334, 18 Pa. C.S. § 5512. [2] The transcript of the testimony indicates that counsel for appellant said he intended to file a motion for a new trial.”
James J. v. Pennsylvania State Police, 633 A.2d 1163 (Pa. 1993). · cites it 2× “§ 4-471 and Sections 5512 and 5513 of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 5512 and 5513." ( Id. ) Following a hearing, a panel of three administrative law judges ("ALJs") of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board ("PLCB") dismissed the citation as having been untimely filed.”
Commonwealth v. Perry, 386 A.2d 86 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1978). “WATKINS, former President Judge, did not participate in the consideration or decision in this case. 1 .”
United States v. Williams, 124 F.3d 411 (3rd Cir. 1997). · cites it 2× “§ 911; Lotteries, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5512; and/or Conspiracy to commit the aforesaid violations in violation of 18 Pa.”
Mar-Kodis Diner, Inc. v. Commonwealth, 532 A.2d 940 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1987). “18 Pa. C. S. §5512(b). This section states, in pertinent part: Offense defined.”
Commonwealth v. Hill, 380 A.2d 887 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1977). “The Crimes Code, supra; 18 Pa.C.S. § 5512. . The Commonwealth argues that the factfinder was entitled to base its verdict, in part, on information contained in the criminal complaint and the police arrest report.”
Commonwealth v. Luxury Enter., Inc., 566 A.2d 1288 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1989). · cites it 2× “The Board issued a citation to the licensee charging it with a violation of the Liquor Code 2 for “permitting gambling, gambling devices, paraphernalia and/or lotteries on the licensed premises, on or about June 28, 1984 in violation *92 of Section 5512” 3 and/or Section 5513 4…”
Commonwealth v. Irish, 357 A.2d 657 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1976). “3 As previously stated, the appellees were charged with participation in the maintenance of a lottery or numbers operation and possession of numbers tickets. In view of the obvious numbers operation in progress in the bedroom and the appellees’ presence and total conduct when…”
Commonwealth v. Liberty Fire Co., 537 A.2d 974 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1988). “Sections 5512 and 5513 of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa. C. S. §§5512 and 5513 prohibit, respectively, unlawful lotteries and the maintenance of gambling devices.”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5512(a) — 2 cases
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5512(b) — 2 cases
Mar-Kodis Diner, Inc. v. Commonwealth, 532 A.2d 940 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1987). “18 Pa. C. S. §5512(b). This section states, in pertinent part: Offense defined.”
Commonwealth v. Luxury Enter., Inc., 566 A.2d 1288 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1989). “The Board issued a citation to the licensee charging it with a violation of the Liquor Code 2 for “permitting gambling, gambling devices, paraphernalia and/or lotteries on the licensed premises, on or about June 28, 1984 in violation *92 of Section 5512” 3 and/or Section 5513 4…”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5512(b)(2) — 1 case
Commonwealth v. Perry, 386 A.2d 86 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1978). “WATKINS, former President Judge, did not participate in the consideration or decision in this case. 1 .”
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