Penal Code §47.06

In force on Apr 19, 2022 · this text took effect Sep 01, 1994 · same as today's text

POSSESSION OF GAMBLING DEVICE, EQUIPMENT, OR PARAPHERNALIA

(a) A person commits an offense if, with the intent to further gambling, he knowingly owns, manufactures, transfers, or possesses any gambling device that he knows is designed for gambling purposes or any equipment that he knows is designed as a subassembly or essential part of a gambling device. (b) A person commits an offense if, with the intent to further gambling, he knowingly owns, manufactures, transfers commercially, or possesses any altered gambling equipment that he knows is designed for gambling purposes or any equipment that he knows is designed as a subassembly or essential part of such device. (c) A person commits an offense if, with the intent to further gambling, the person knowingly owns, manufactures, transfers commercially, or possesses gambling paraphernalia. (d) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsections (a) and (c) that: (1) the device, equipment, or paraphernalia is used for or is intended for use in gambling that is to occur entirely in a private place; (2) a person involved in the gambling does not receive any economic benefit other than personal winnings; and (3) except for the advantage of skill or luck, the chance of winning is the same for all participants. (e) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. (f) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) or (c) that the person owned, manufactured, transferred, or possessed the gambling device, equipment, or paraphernalia for the sole purpose of shipping it to another jurisdiction where the possession or use of the device, equipment, or paraphernalia was legal. (g) A district or county attorney is not required to have a search warrant or subpoena to inspect a gambling device or gambling equipment or paraphernalia on an ocean-going vessel that enters the territorial waters of this state to call at a port in this state.

History: Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 668, ch. 251, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 29, 1977; Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 1865, ch. 741, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1977; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 167, Sec. 5.01(a)(48), eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 458, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1030, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 44, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 315, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 1st C.S., ch. 6, Sec. 4; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 107, Sec. 4.05, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 284, Sec. 30, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

Source: the Legislature's file server, seen Nov 08, 2026.

Every version on file

Effective Sep 01, 1994 · seen Nov 2026–Nov 2026

Attorney General opinions that cite it

KP-0425 (Apr 19, 2022): Whether an amusement machine is a gambling device under section 47.01 of the Penal Code where the amount awarded from play is determined partially by chance
GA-0812 (Apr 27, 2010): Whether bingo gift certificates and similar items constitute "noncash merchandise prizes, toys or novelties" under section 47.01( 4)(B) ofthe Penal Code and whether certain business practices, which may be used by charities that conduct bingo to maximize their net proceeds, comply with chapter 200 1, Occupations Code, and other applicable law
GA-0173 (Nov 06, 2003): Whether it is a penal offense for a city that operates a senior citizens’ community center that is exempt from licensing under the Bingo Enabling Act to possess gambling paraphernalia and whether such gambling paraphernalia is subject to state sales tax

A research copy. The official text is the Legislature's (statutes), the Secretary of State's (Texas Administrative Code) or eCFR's (federal rules). Not legal advice.