18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5513

Gambling devices, gambling, etc.

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§ 5513. Gambling devices, gambling, etc.

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

(1) intentionally or knowingly makes, assembles, sets up, maintains, sells, lends, leases, gives away, or offers for sale, loan, lease or gift, any punch board, drawing card, slot machine or any device to be used for gambling purposes, except playing cards;

(2) allows persons to collect and assemble for the purpose of unlawful gambling at any place under his control;

(3) solicits or invites any person to visit any unlawful gambling place for the purpose of gambling; or

(4) being the owner, tenant, lessee or occupant of any premises, knowingly permits or suffers the same, or any part thereof, to be used for the purpose of unlawful gambling.

(a.1) Electronic video monitor.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he owns, operates, maintains, places into operation or has a financial interest in an electronic video monitor or business that owns, operates, maintains or places into operation or has a financial interest in an electronic video monitor:

(1) which is offered or made available to persons to play or participate in a simulated gambling program for direct or indirect consideration, including consideration associated with a related product, service or activity; and

(2) for which the person playing the simulated gambling program may become eligible for a cash or cash-equivalent prize, whether or not the eligibility for or value of the cash or cash-equivalent prize is determined by or has any relationship to the outcome of or play of the simulated gambling program.

(b) Confiscation of gambling devices.--Any gambling device possessed or used in violation of the provisions of subsection (a) shall be seized and forfeited to the Commonwealth. The forfeiture shall be conducted in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5803 (relating to asset forfeiture), 5805 (relating to forfeiture procedure), 5806 (relating to motion for return of property), 5807 (relating to restrictions on use), 5807.1 (relating to prohibition on adoptive seizures) and 5808 (relating to exceptions).

(c) Antique slot machines.--

(1) A slot machine shall be established as an antique slot machine if the defendant shows by a preponderance of the evidence that it was manufactured at least 25 years before the current year and that it was not used or attempted to be used for any unlawful purposes. Notwithstanding subsection (b), no antique slot machine seized from any defendant shall be destroyed or otherwise altered until the defendant is given an opportunity to establish that the slot machine is an antique slot machine. After a final court determination that the slot machine is an antique slot machine, the slot machine shall be returned pursuant to the provisions of law providing for the return of property; otherwise, the slot machine shall be destroyed.

(2) It is the purpose of this subsection to protect the collection and restoration of antique slot machines not presently utilized for gambling purposes.

(d) Shipbuilding business.--Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, a person may construct, deliver, convert or repair a vessel that is equipped with gambling devices if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) The work performed on the vessel is ordered by a customer who uses or possesses the vessel outside of this Commonwealth in a locality where the use or possession of the gambling devices on the vessel is lawful.

(2) The work performed on the vessel that is equipped with gambling devices is performed at a shipbuilding or repair yard located within a port facility under the jurisdiction of any port authority organized under the act of December 6, 1972 (P.L.1392, No.298), known as the Third Class City Port Authority Act.

(3) The person provides the Office of Attorney General, prior to the importation of the gambling devices into this Commonwealth, records that account for the gambling devices, including the identification number affixed to each gambling device by the manufacturer, and that identify the location where the gambling devices will be stored prior to the installation of the gambling devices on the vessel.

(4) The person stores the gambling devices at a secured location and permits any person authorized to enforce the gambling laws to inspect the location where the gambling devices are stored and records relating to the storage of the gambling devices.

(5) If the person removes used gambling devices from a vessel, the person shall provide the Office of Attorney General of Pennsylvania with an inventory of the used gambling devices prior to their removal from the vessel. The inventory shall include the identification number affixed to each gambling device by the manufacturer.

(6) The person submits documentation to the Office of Attorney General of Pennsylvania no later than 30 days after the date of delivery that the vessel equipped with gambling devices has been delivered to the customer who ordered the work performed on the vessel.

(7) The person does not sell a gambling device to any other person except to a customer who shall use or possess the gambling device outside of this Commonwealth in a locality where the use or possession of the gambling device is lawful. If a person sells a gambling device to such a customer, the person shall submit documentation to the Office of Attorney General of Pennsylvania no later than 30 days after the date of delivery that the gambling device has been delivered to the customer.

(e) Penalty.--Any person who fails to provide records as provided in subsection (d) commits a summary offense.

(e.1) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any activity that is lawfully conducted under any of the following:

(1) The act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law.

(2) The act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known as the Bingo Law.

(3) The act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act.

(4) 4 Pa.C.S. (relating to amusements).

(f) Definitions.--The following words and phrases when used in this section shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Consideration associated with a related product, service or activity." Money or other value collected for a product, service or activity which is offered in any direct or indirect relationship to playing or participating in the simulated gambling program. The term includes consideration paid for computer time, Internet time, telephone calling cards and a sweepstakes entry.

"Electronic video monitor." An electronic device capable of showing moving or still images.

"Simulated gambling program." Any method intended to be used by a person interacting with an electronic video monitor in a business establishment that directly or indirectly implements the predetermination of sweepstakes cash or cash-equivalent prizes or otherwise connects the sweepstakes player or participant with the cash or cash-equivalent prize.

(July 1, 1978, P.L.572, No.103, eff. 30 days; July 11, 1996, P.L.552, No.98, eff. imd.; May 16, 2002, P.L.325, No.48, eff. 60 days; June 30, 2012, P.L.682, No.81, eff. imd.; June 29, 2017, P.L.247, No.13, eff. July 1, 2017)

2017 Amendment. Act 13 amended subsec. (b).

2012 Amendment. Act 81 amended subsec. (f) and added subsecs. (a.1) and (e.1).

2004 Partial Repeal. Section 1903(a)(2) of Title 4 (relating to amusements), which was added by Act 71 of 2004, provided that subsec. (a) is repealed insofar as it is inconsistent with Part II of Title 4.

2002 Amendment. Act 48 amended subsec. (c).

1996 Amendment. Act 98 added subsecs. (d), (e) and (f).

1981 Partial Repeal. Section 9 of the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known as the Bingo Law, repealed Title 18 to the extent that it is inconsistent with Act 67.

Cross References. Section 5513 is referred to in sections 911, 5708 of this title; sections 341, 1903 of Title 4 (Amusements); section 5703 of Title 12 (Commerce and Trade); sections 5552, 5803 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 82 cases (16 in the last 5 years), 1974–2026 · leading case: Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion Fund, Inc. v. Commonwealth

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Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion Fund, Inc. v. Commonwealth (2005) pa · cites it 3× “§ 4-493(29), and 18 Pa.C.S. § 5513(a) of the Crimes Code, but failed to contain the text of the sections to be repealed.”

Commonwealth v. Two Electronic Poker Game MacHines (1983) pa · cites it 6× “Appeal Docket 1982 A On March 11, 1980, a criminal complaint was filed against a tavern owner in Neville Township, Allegheny County, charging him with maintaining a device used for gambling purposes in violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5513(a)(1) 1 and seeking the seizure and forfeiture…”

Commonwealth v. Dent (2010) pasuperct · cites it 6× “In September 2008, Appellees were charged with twenty (20) counts of violating 18 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. §§ 5513(a)(2), (a)(3), and (a)(4), relating to unlawful gambling.”

National Collegiate Athletic Ass'n v. Governor of New Jersey (2013) ca3 · cites it 2× “, 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 5513; Del. Code Ann.”

Commonwealth v. Weimer (1978) pasuperct · cites it 4× “[4] 18 Pa.C.S. § 5513. [5] The arrest was again under Section 5513 of the Crimes Code.”

Commonwealth v. Thurmond (1978) pasuperct · cites it 4× “SPAETH, Judge: Appellant was found guilty on two counts of gambling, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5513, [1] and was sentenced to serve three to twenty-three months imprisonment and to pay a fine of $500.”

Commonwealth v. Weisman (1984) pa · cites it 6× “Appellant was charged with two counts of maintaining a gambling place, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5513(a)(1); one count of maintaining or setting up a gambling device, 18 Pa.”

United States v. Conley (1993) pawd · cites it 6× “Further, she contends that it is a regulatory provision, violation of which will not suffice as a predicate crime under Section 1955 or, directly or indirectly, under Section 1956(a)(1)(A)©.”

In Re Chesna (1995) cjdpa · cites it 3× “Pursuant to records of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County, the Court finds that on May 15, 1991, respondent was charged with violations of 18 Pa.C.S. Section 5513 relating to unlawful gambling devices and 18 Pa.”

Commonwealth v. Kratsas (2001) pa “,” provides that a person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree if he intentionally or knowingly makes, assembles, sets up, maintains, sells, lends, leases, gives away, or offers for sale, loan, lease or gift, any punch board, drawing card, slot machine or any device to…”

Commonwealth v. Wintel, Inc. (2003) pacommwct · cites it 2× “All provisions of law relating to the seizure, summary and judicial forfeiture, and condemnation of intoxicating liquor shall apply to seizures and forfeitures under the provisions of this section.”

United States v. Conley (1993) pawd · cites it 4× “That Duffy Conley was convicted under 18 Pa.Cons.Stat.Ann. § 5513 is not stale information; ten years from now, Conley will have been convicted under Section 5513 on March 16, 1988.”

Show all 82 citing cases →

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5513(5) — 1 case

Commonwealth v. Rampy (1989) pactcompldauphi

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5513(a) — 20 cases

Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion Fund, Inc. v. Commonwealth (2005) pa “§ 4-493(29), and 18 Pa.C.S. § 5513(a) of the Crimes Code, but failed to contain the text of the sections to be repealed.”

United States v. Conley (1993) pawd “That Duffy Conley was convicted under 18 Pa.Cons.Stat.Ann. § 5513 is not stale information; ten years from now, Conley will have been convicted under Section 5513 on March 16, 1988.”

Christ the King Manor v. Commonwealth, Department of Public Welfare (2006) pacommwct

In re District Attorney of Wyoming County Seeking Forfeiture of One 1986 Oldsmobile Sedan (1994) pacommwct

City of Pittsburgh v. Conley (1989) pacommwct

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5513(a)(1) — 10 cases

Commonwealth v. Weisman (1984) pa “Appellant was charged with two counts of maintaining a gambling place, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5513(a)(1); one count of maintaining or setting up a gambling device, 18 Pa.”

Commonwealth v. Two Electronic Poker Game MacHines (1983) pa “Appeal Docket 1982 A On March 11, 1980, a criminal complaint was filed against a tavern owner in Neville Township, Allegheny County, charging him with maintaining a device used for gambling purposes in violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5513(a)(1) 1 and seeking the seizure and forfeiture…”

In Re Chesna (1995) cjdpa “Pursuant to records of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County, the Court finds that on May 15, 1991, respondent was charged with violations of 18 Pa.C.S. Section 5513 relating to unlawful gambling devices and 18 Pa.”

POM of PA v. Dep't of Rev.; Apl. of: Dep't of Rev. (2026) pa

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5513(a)(2) — 4 cases

Commonwealth v. Dent (2010) pasuperct “In September 2008, Appellees were charged with twenty (20) counts of violating 18 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. §§ 5513(a)(2), (a)(3), and (a)(4), relating to unlawful gambling.”

Commonwealth v. David (1982) pasuperct

POM of PA v. Dep't of Rev.; Apl. of: Dep't of Rev. (2026) pa

In re: Three PA Skill Amusement; Apl. of: Comm (2026) pa

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5513(a)(4) — 1 case

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5513(b) — 26 cases

Sugalski v. Cochran (1987) pa

Commonwealth v. Crespo (2005) pacommwct

Commonwealth v. All that Certain Lot or Parcel of Land Located at 605 University Drive (2012) pacommwct

United States v. Conley (1993) pawd “Further, she contends that it is a regulatory provision, violation of which will not suffice as a predicate crime under Section 1955 or, directly or indirectly, under Section 1956(a)(1)(A)©.”

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5513(c) — 2 cases

POM of PA v. Dep't of Rev.; Apl. of: Dep't of Rev. (2026) pa

In re: Three PA Skill Amusement; Apl. of: Comm (2026) pa

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5513(f) — 2 cases

In re: Three PA Skill Amusement Devices ~ Appeal of: Com. of PA (2023) pacommwct

Pinnacle Amusement, LLC v. BLCE (2023) pacommwct

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