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Title 15 — Commerce and TradeRelease 119-73not60

§1171 Definitions

Title 15 › Chapter 24— TRANSPORTATION OF GAMBLING DEVICES › § 1171

Last updated Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines key words used in the chapter about gambling devices. The term "gambling device" covers three things: slot-style machines with reels or drums that can pay out money or property by chance; other machines made mainly for gambling (like roulette wheels) that can pay out money or property by chance; and parts or modules made to be used with those machines even if not attached. "State" includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. "Possession of the United States" means any U.S. possession not named above. "Interstate or foreign commerce" is trade between states or with places outside a state, or trade inside a state that goes through a place outside it. "Intrastate commerce" is trade only within one state or possession. "Boundaries" has the same meaning given in section 1301 of title 43.

Full Legal Text

Title 15, §1171

Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

As used in this chapter—
(a)The term “gambling device” means—
(1)any so-called “slot machine” or any other machine or mechanical device an essential part of which is a drum or reel with insignia thereon, and (A) which when operated may deliver, as the result of the application of an element of chance, any money or property, or (B) by the operation of which a person may become entitled to receive, as the result of the application of an element of chance, any money or property; or
(2)any other machine or mechanical device (including, but not limited to, roulette wheels and similar devices) designed and manufactured primarily for use in connection with gambling, and (A) which when operated may deliver, as the result of the application of an element of chance, any money or property, or (B) by the operation of which a person may become entitled to receive, as the result of the application of an element of chance, any money or property; or
(3)any subassembly or essential part intended to be used in connection with any such machine or mechanical device, but which is not attached to any such machine or mechanical device as a constituent part.
(b)The term “State” includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.
(c)The term “possession of the United States” means any possession of the United States which is not named in paragraph 11 So in original. Probably should be “subsection”. (b) of this section.
(d)The term “interstate or foreign commerce” means commerce (1) between any State or possession of the United States and any place outside of such State or possession, or (2) between points in the same State or possession of the United States but through any place outside thereof.
(e)The term “intrastate commerce” means commerce wholly within one State or possession of the United States.
(f)The term “boundaries” has the same meaning given that term in section 1301 of title 43.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1992—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 102–251 added subsec. (f). 1962—Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 87–840, § 2, substituted provisions including machines and mechanical devices designed and manufactured primarily for gambling by the operation of which a person may become entitled to receive, as the result of chance, any money or property, for provisions which included machines or mechanical devices designed and manufactured to operate by inserting a coin, token, or similar object, in par. (2), and inserted “, but which is not attached to any such machine or mechanical device as a constituent part”, in par. (3). Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 87–840, § 3, substituted “the District of Columbia” for “Alaska, Hawaii”. Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 87–840, § 3, added subsecs. (d) and (e).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1962 Amendment Pub. L. 87–840, § 7, Oct. 18, 1962, 76 Stat. 1077, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this Act [enacting section 1178 of this title and amending this section and section 1172 and 1173 of this title] shall take effect on the sixtieth day after the date of its enactment [Oct. 18, 1962].”

Short Title

of 1962 Amendment Pub. L. 87–840, § 1, Oct. 18, 1962, 76 Stat. 1075, provided: “That this Act [enacting section 1178 of this title and amending this section and section 1172 and 1173 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Gambling Devices Act of 1962’.”

Short Title

Act Jan. 2, 1951, which enacted this chapter and a note set out under this section, is popularly known as the “Gambling Devices Transportation Act”. SeparabilityAct Jan. 2, 1951, ch. 1194, § 8, 64 Stat. 1136, provided that: “If any provision of this Act [this chapter] or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the Act [this chapter] which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act [this chapter] are declared to be severable.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

15 U.S.C. § 1171

Title 15 — Commerce and Trade

Last Updated

Apr 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60