945.05 Dealing in gambling devices.

(1) Except as provided in subs. (1e) (b) and (1m), whoever manufactures, transfers commercially or possesses with intent to transfer commercially either of the following is guilty of a Class I felony:

(a) Anything which he or she knows evidences, purports to evidence or is designed to evidence participation in a lottery or the making of a bet; or

(b) Any device which he or she knows is designed exclusively for gambling purposes or anything which he or she knows is designed exclusively as a subassembly or essential part of such device. This includes without limitation gambling machines, numbers jars, punch boards and roulette wheels. Playing cards, dice, permanently disabled gambling machines and slot machines manufactured before December 31, 1974, that are intended to be used solely for display, restoration and preservation purposes shall not be considered devices exclusively for gambling purposes.

(1e)

(a) In this subsection, “authorized gambling facility" means any of the following:

1. An Indian gaming facility, as defined in s. 569.01 (1j).

2. A gaming establishment located on lands acquired after October 17, 1998, by the U.S. secretary of the interior in trust for the benefit of an Indian tribe.

3. A facility at which gambling lawfully takes place.

(b) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who manufactures, transfers commercially or possesses with intent to transfer commercially gambling devices described in sub. (1) (a) and (b) to any of the following:

1. An authorized gambling facility.

2. A nonprofit or public educational institution that provides an educational program for which it awards a bachelor's or higher degree for the use in a casino gaming management class.

(1m) If a violation of sub. (1) involves the commercial transfer of a video gambling machine or possession of a video gambling machine with the intent to transfer commercially, the person is subject to a Class C forfeiture.

(2) Proof of possession of any device designed exclusively for gambling purposes, which is less than 25 years old, is not in a gambling place and is not set up for use, is prima facie evidence of possession with intent to transfer.

(3) Any motor vehicle or aircraft, used or employed to aid in or to facilitate the unlawful manufacture or commercial transfer of those gambling devices enumerated in sub. (1), may be seized by any peace officer and shall be forfeited to the state in an action brought by the attorney general or the district attorney of the county where the vehicle or aircraft is subject to forfeiture and such action shall be in the name of and on behalf of the state in accordance with ch. 778. Lienholders and owners shall have the same rights as provided in s. 139.40.

History: 1977 c. 173, 297; 1979 c. 32 s. 92 (8); 1993 a. 486; 1999 a. 9, 134; 2001 a. 16, 109.

Dissemination of out-of-state lottery tickets by business establishments in Wisconsin, with or without a purchase, violates sub. (1) (a). 75 Atty. Gen. 47.