Senate increases penalties, broadens definition for illicit gambling devices

The Senate voted on a committee substitute to Senate Bill 5 17, a measure supporters said expands the definition of gambling devices to include electronic machines like 8-liners and raises criminal penalties for their unlawful operation.

Senator Middleton, speaking on the floor, described so-called 8-liner machines as "gambling devices disguised as electronic video games" that "often mimic slot machines and other Las Vegas style games offering prizes based on chance and not skill." He said the machines operate in a gray area of law and that inconsistent local enforcement had allowed illegal activity, including human trafficking and illegal drugs, to become associated with some operators.

The committee substitute, as read on the floor, updates the definition to include 8-liners and other electronic games that operate "based on chance, purely chance," raises the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a third-degree felony for prohibited operations, and explicitly names gift cards and cash equivalents as prohibited payouts. The sponsor said the bill was drafted with law enforcement input.

On the floor the Senate suspended the regular order, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and on third reading recorded a roll call of 30 ayes and 1 nay; the chair announced "Bill is finally passed." The transcript shows the procedural steps and the vote total recorded on final passage.

The excerpt does not include the full statutory text, an enrolled version of the bill, or details about implementation timelines or enforcement guidance beyond the sponsor—s floor remarks.