Chapter 40.
437 words·~2 min read·
/statutes-at-large/vol-22/chapter-40-1715682·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 40.— An act more effectually to suppress gaming in the District of Columbia. Jan. 31, 1883. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That every person who shall inSuppression of gambling in District of Colombia. the District of Columbia, set up or keep any gaming table, or any house, vessel, or place on laud or waiter for the purpose of gaming, or gambling device commonly called A. B. C., faro-bank, E.
O., roulette, equality, keno, thimbles or “little joker,” or any kind of gambling table or 412 FORTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS. Sess. II. Ch. 40, 41. 1883. gambling device, adapted, devised, and designed for the purpose of playing any game of chance for money or property, or who shall induce, entice or permit any person to bet or play at or upon any such gaming table or gambling device, or on the side or against the keeper thereof, Penalties.shall, on conviction, be adjudged guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished by imprisonment for a term not more than live years.
Sec. 2.— That every person who shall, in the District of Columbia, knowingly permit any gaming table, bank, or device to be set up or used, for the purpose of gaming in any house, building, vessel, shed, booth, shelter, lot or other premises to him belonging, or by him occupied, or of which he hath at the time the possession or control, shall, on conviction, be adjudged guilty of a misdemeanor, and punished by imprisonment for not more than one year, and by fine not exceeding five hundred dollars.
Sec. 3.— That every person who shall, in the District of Columbia, deal, play or practice, or be in any manner accessory to the dealing, playing or practicing of the confidence game or swindle known as three-card monte or of any such game, play, or practice, or any other confidence game, player practice, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a line not exceeding one thousand dollars, and by imprisonment, at hard labor, in the jail of the District, not more than five years. .
Sec. 4. Definition of term gaming table. That all games, devices, or contrivances at which money or any other thing shall be bet or wagered shall be deemed a gaming table within the meaning of this act; and the courts shall construe the preceding sections liberally, so as to prevent the mischief intended to be guarded against. Sec. 5.— That all laws inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed. Approved, January 31, 1883.