2025 Georgia Codes – Page 173

(a) A person who knowingly owns, manufactures, transfers commercially, or possesses any device which
he knows is designed for gambling purposes or anything which he knows is designed as a subassembly or
essential part of such device is guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.
(b)(1) As used in this subsection, the term:
(A) “Antique slot machine” means a coin operated, nonelectronic mechanical gambling device that pays
off according to the matching of symbols on wheels spun by a handle and was manufactured in its entirety,
except for identical replacement parts, prior to January 1, 1950.
(B) “Conviction” includes a plea of nolo contendere to a felony.
(2) It shall be a defense to any action or prosecution under this Code section for possession of a gambling
device that the device is an antique slot machine and that said device was not being used for gambling; pro-
vided, however, the defense shall not be available to any person who has been convicted of a felony in this
or any other state or under federal law and provided, further, that this defense shall not be available if the
antique slot machine is on the premises of a private or public club or in an establishment where alcoholic
beverages are sold.
(3) Any antique slot machine seized as a result of a violation of this Code section shall be contraband and
subject to seizure and destruction as provided in Code Section 16-12-32. An antique slot machine seized
for a violation of this Code section shall not be destroyed, altered, or sold until the owner has been afforded
a reasonable opportunity to present evidence that the device was not operated for unlawful gambling or in
violation of this Code section. If the court determines that the device is an antique slot machine and was
not operated or possessed in violation of this or any other Code section, such device shall be returned to its
owner.

(a) Any person who solicits another person to commit any of the following acts with the intent to defraud
or deceive such person on or adjacent to the premises of any business operated for pecuniary gain shall be
guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor
more than five years:
(1) Keeps, maintains, employs, or carries on a game for the hazarding of money or other thing of value;
(2) Permits the playing for money or other thing of value of a game or device for the hazarding of money or
other thing of value;
(3) Keeps or employs a device or equipment for the purpose of carrying on or operating a game or device for
the hazarding of money or other thing of value;
(4) Permits the betting or wagering of money or other thing of value;
(5) Sells or offers to sell to a person a ticket number or combination or chance or anything representing a
chance in a lottery or other similar scheme;
(6) Keeps, maintains, employs, or carries on a lottery or scheme or device for the hazarding of money or
other thing of value;
(7) Keeps, maintains, or employs a lottery ticket, lottery book, lottery ribbon, or other article used in keep-
ing, maintaining, or carrying on a lottery or other scheme, game, or device for the hazarding of money or
other thing of value;
(8) Solicits a person to engage in a game or to operate a device for the hazarding of money or other thing of
value; or
(9) Solicits a person to engage in a lottery or other scheme or device for the hazarding of money or other
thing of value.
(b) This Code section is cumulative of and supplemental to any laws making any of the activities prohibited
by this Code section unlawful and punishable as a misdemeanor; and nothing in this Code section shall be
construed to repeal, amend, alter, or supersede any such laws.