§ 14-1. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

Gambling device. A "gambling device" includes:

(1)

Any device, machine, paraphernalia, equipment or other thing, including books, records and other papers, which are actually used in an illegal operation or activity;

(2)

Any machine, apparatus, implement, instrument, contrivance, board or other thing, including but not limited to, those depending upon the insertion of a coin or other object for their operation, which operates, either completely automatically or with the aid of some physical act by the player or operator, so that, depending upon elements of chance, it may eject something of value or determine the prize or other thing of value to which the player is entitled; provided, that the return to the user of nothing more than additional chances or the right to use such machine is not deemed something of value within the meaning of this subparagraph; and provided further, that machines that only sell or entitle the user to items of merchandise of equivalent value that may differ from each other in composition, size, shape or color, shall not be deemed gambling devices within the meaning of this subparagraph.

Such devices are no less gambling devices if they indicate beforehand the definite result of one or more operations but not all the operations, nor are they any less gambling devices if, apart from their use or adaptability as such, they also sell or deliver something of value on a basis other than chance.

Illegal gambling. The making, placing or receipt of any bet or wager in the city of money or other thing of value, made in exchange for a chance to win a prize, stake or other consideration or thing of value, dependent upon the result of any game, contest or other event the outcome of which is uncertain or a matter of chance, whether such game, contest or event occurs or is to occur inside or outside the limits of this city, shall constitute illegal gambling.

Operator. The term "operator" includes any person, firm or association of persons who or which conducts, finances, manages, supervises, directs or owns all or part of an illegal gambling enterprise, activity or operation.

Other thing of value. The term "other thing of value" includes, but is not limited to, the purchase of a product, internet access or other thing, which purchase credits the purchaser with free points or other measureable units that may be (i) risked by the purchaser for an opportunity to win additional points or other measurable units that are redeemable by the purchaser for money or (ii) redeemed by the purchaser for money, and but for the free points or other measurable units, with regard to clauses (i) and (ii), the purchase of the product, Internet access, or other thing (a) would be of insufficient value in and of itself to justify the purchase or (b) is merely incidental to the chance to win money.

(Ord. No. 3189, 6-28-11, eff. 7-1-11)

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 18.2-325.

(Ord. No. 3189, 6-28-11, eff. 7-1-11)

State law reference

Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 18.2-325.