Actually, a gambling device is illegal only if possessed "with intent to further gambling" and even then, so long as your sole purpose is to ship it to another jurisdiction where use of such devices is legal, you have a defense to prosecution. How the State shows an intent to further gambling and whether the "private gambling" permitted by 47.02 (b) is an exception to this intent are still interesting questions. Art. 18.18 has no provision for what should happen to "contraband" forfeited to the State. Arguably a gambling device can be resold, with the buyer taking the risk that the device again becomes illegal.
Try calling the original manufacturer -- I seem to recall hearing that some of them will re-purchase their own equipment and then re-sell it themselves.
Posts: 2425 | Location: TDCAA | Registered: March 08, 2002
