AGE REQUIREMENT: Applicants for Slot Machine licensing must be 21 years of age or older. FEE: The license fee is $50 for a one-year license or $100 for a three-year license. IDENTIFICATION: Two forms of identification as required by Rule 14.010, Florida Administrative Code 61D-14.010.
- Jul 01, 2019 Individual Slot Machine Licenses It may be the case that each individual slot machine is going to have to have its own gambling license, rather than being covered by a casinos general gambling license, and when each individual slot machine requires a license often it is required to be displayed on the slot machine.
- The Illinois Video Gaming Act allows for locations to be licensed for up to five slot games provided the owner of the business and any staff pass an extensive background check. But the establishment itself must pass two tests as well.
Are You Legally Allowed to Own or Operate Slot Machines Outside of Casinos?
Wisconsin has gambling laws which limit the ownership and possession of gambling devices. Yet there are places in Wisconsin where these devices, ranging from traditional slot machines to modern video gambling machines, are perfectly legal. Under Wisconsin Law, gambling device charges range from non-criminal forfeiture violations, to misdemeanors and felonies. If you are being charged with possession of gambling devices, contact Milwaukee’s top defense lawyers for a consultation.
What counts as a gambling machine in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin state statute 945.01(3) defines a gambling machine as any “contrivance which for a consideration affords the player an opportunity to obtain something of value”. The most common type of device is a standard slot machine. Devices which are not considered gambling machines include pinball arcades and crane games. Video poker machines may be considered gambling devices if there is a payout for players.
Commercial Gambling Devices in Milwaukee Bars and Taverns: For Entertainment Use Only?
Commercial gambling is illegal in Wisconsin with a few very specific exceptions. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue is responsible for enforcing the laws yet countless video poker machines and slot games can be found in bars and restaurants across the state. The penalties for gambling machine ownership increases per device:
- 1 machine: $500 forfeit maximum
- 2 machines: $1,000 forfeit maximum
- 3 machines: $1,500 forfeit maximum
- 4 machines: $2,000 forfeit maximum
- 5 machines: $2,500 forfeit maximum
Tribal casinos are exempt to these rules due to a state compact. Any other commercial establishment with these devices is at risk of being charged with possession. It often depends on local law enforcement’s interpretation of what constitutes a gambling device.
Examples of Legal Gambling in Wisconsin
- Lottery contests
- Bingo hall games
- Raffles
- Charity games
- On-track racing bets (horse and dog)
Private Gambling Machining Ownership
Individuals owning more than 5 gambling devices are subject to criminal charges. Possession of 5 or fewer may result in civil forfeiture but no charges. However, the exact penalties will depend on the specifics of your case. Certain exceptions exist for private individuals who own slot machines which are more than 25 years old. However, even owning gambling device paraphernalia can put you on the wrong side of the law.
Selling a gambling device like a slot machine is another gray area of gambling law in Wisconsin. Transporting a gambling device into the state is unlawful.
Criminal Defense Law Firm with Offices in Milwaukee, Brookfield, and Madison
Possession of gambling devices in Milwaukee or Madison may be legal depending on your circumstances. Gambling charges can range from ordinance violations to Class B misdemeanors and Class I felonies. You need experienced legal representation when you are charged with possession of a gambling device. Grieve Law’s team of award-wining attorneys can help you find what defenses you have. You may be able to fight or reduce your charges.
If you have been charged with possession of a gambling device, contact Milwaukee’s defense law firm for a consultation.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gambling Device Registration Unit at the Criminal Division has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission as effectively and efficiently as possible while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of our staff. As a result, you may experience a delay in receiving responses to telephone inquiries. We will be able to respond to requests made by e-mail more quickly than those by telephone, however if you wish to make a telephone inquiry, please include the e-mail address to which the response should be sent. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.
The Gambling Devices Act of 1962, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1171-1178, requires registration by any person or entity engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing, reconditioning, buying, selling, leasing, using, or making available for use by others any gambling device before any such device enters interstate or foreign commerce. Registration is to be requested in writing each calendar year prior to engaging in business and is effective on the date all required information is received at the Department of Justice. The request for registration should include the registrant’s name and each trade name under which the registrant does business, the address of each of the registrant’s places of business, the street address in any state or possession of the United States where the gambling device records can be viewed, the officers’ or owners’ names and titles, and the activities the registrant intends to engage in during the calendar year as described in section 1173 of the statute.
The Department of Justice will not render advisory opinions as to whether specific devices are covered by the statute, nor will it undertake to answer any inquiries relating to specific situations. Such questions should be directed to private counsel.
To register, please complete the Request for Registration form on a PC running Microsoft Windows, or Mac. NOTE: Adobe Acrobat Reader for Windows or Mac is required to use this form; tablets or mobile devices are not supported. Depending on your computer's configuration, the form may not open within your browser. If that is the case please save the form to your computer before opening it. Make sure Adobe Acrobat Reader is used to open the form, not any other PDF viewers (i.e. Foxit is not supported.)
There is no fee to register. Confirmation of your request will be e-mailed to you once it has been approved and processed. Please allow approximately 3 to 4 weeks for processing; during the annual registration period (begins December 1 of each year through March of the following year), please allow approximately 6 to 8 weeks for processing. Mailed or faxed registrations are no longer accepted.
Contact Information
Email: Gambling.Registration@usdoj.gov (preferred method of contact)
Telephone: 202-353-0888
If you have any questions, please read our Frequently Asked Questions, Gambling Device Act of 1962 Information Sheet, and Tips on Completing a Registration Request before contacting us. Please contact us by e-mail, however, if e-mail is unavailable to you, you may leave a message at (202) 353-0888.
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Gambling Device Registration Information
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