HB40 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chip BrownRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Gambling device, crime of possession of a gambling device, slot machine manufactured before 1960 exempt from under certain limited circumstances, Sec. 13A-12-27 am'd.
Summary: HB40 adds an exemption to the possession of gambling devices for slot machines manufactured before 1960 when kept for private use or displayed as a historical artifact and not accessible to the public.
What This Bill Does
It amends the gambling device law to exclude pre-1960 slot machines from the possession crime under certain conditions. It keeps the general rule that possession of a gambling device is a Class A misdemeanor for other cases. It notes the bill does not create a new local funding obligation under Amendment 621 because it changes the crime definition. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is enacted and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects
Group 1: Private owners or collectors of slot machines manufactured before 1960 who keep them for personal use or display them as historical artifacts with no public access; these machines would not be considered illegal to possess under the bill.
Group 2: Other people who possess, transfer, or deal with gambling devices (including machines manufactured after 1960 or other types of gambling devices); they would remain subject to the crime of possession as a Class A misdemeanor.

Key Provisions
Exemption added: slot machines manufactured before 1960 are exempt from the possession crime when used only for the owner's private use or for public display as a historical artifact and not accessible to the public.
Retention of general rule: possession of a gambling device is still a Class A misdemeanor for cases not covered by the exemption.
Constitutional funding note: the bill states it does not impose new local funding requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines/amends a crime.
Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Slot Machines