Washington statute
RCW 9.46.215 — Ownership or interest in gambling device—Penalty—Exceptions
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 9.46: Gambling—1973 Act, Revised Code of Washington.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of RCW 9.46.215
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official text of the Revised Code of Washington from the Code Reviser's published files; it is not the official statutes of the State of Washington.
(1) Whoever knowingly owns, manufactures, possesses, buys, sells, rents, leases, finances, holds a security interest in, stores, repairs, or transports any gambling device or offers or solicits any interest therein, whether through an agent or employee or otherwise, is guilty of a class C felony and shall be fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years or both.
(2) This section does not apply to persons licensed by the commission, or who are otherwise authorized by this chapter, or by commission rule, to conduct gambling activities without a license, respecting devices that are to be used, or are being used, solely in that activity for which the license was issued, or for which the person has been otherwise authorized if:
(a) The person is acting in conformance with this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter; and
(b) The devices are a type and kind traditionally and usually employed in connection with the particular activity.
(3) This section also does not apply to any act or acts by the persons in furtherance of the activity for which the license was issued, or for which the person is authorized, when the activity is conducted in compliance with this chapter and in accordance with the rules adopted under this chapter.
(4) In the enforcement of this section direct possession of any such a gambling device is presumed to be knowing possession thereof.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is ownership or interest in gambling device a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
Ownership or interest in gambling device is a Class C Felony in Washington under RCW 9.46.215.
Which Washington statute covers ownership or interest in gambling device?
Ownership or interest in gambling device is governed by RCW 9.46.215 (Ownership or interest in gambling device—Penalty—Exceptions).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.