# Can I Buy (and USE) a Slot Machine In My Own Home?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-buy-and-use-a-slot-machine-in-my-own-home/148038>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 11, 2003, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-buy-and-use-a-slot-machine-in-my-own-home/148038 "2003-01-11T23:33:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-buy-and-use-a-slot-machine-in-my-own-home/148038/1 "2003-01-11T23:33:26Z")

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I saw slot machines (from a cruise ship) on sale at one of those sleazy travelling sales (they feature cheap electronics of unknown brands, black velevet Elvis paintings, etc.) Anyway, the machines are programmed to work only with tokens-but the guy said a slicht modification would enable them to work with quarters. My question: can I set up a casino in my basement, for my family and friends? Or do I have to obtain a gaming license?

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**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-buy-and-use-a-slot-machine-in-my-own-home/148038/2 "2003-01-12T00:17:25Z")

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It would depend on your state law.

I doubt that _any_ state allows gambling without a license. So, even if the machine was legal in your state, you would need a license to allow anyone(except yourself) to actually “gamble” in your basement.

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**Author:** ![AmbushBug](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ambushbug/32/4600_2.png) [@AmbushBug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmbushBug)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-buy-and-use-a-slot-machine-in-my-own-home/148038/3 "2003-01-12T06:07:22Z")

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Here’s a sales site’s [page](http://gamesforsale.biz/legalstates.htm) on the law regarding simple possession. No claims as to accuracy; check your own state’s laws yourself 😃

As far as I know, you’d be in trouble in 100% of these states were you to actually use the machine to facilitate _gambling_ as opposed to _entertainment_.

-AmbushBug  
[sub]I have a slot machine at my desk, at work. Most of my co-workers do.[/sub]

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**Author:** ![Lure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@Lure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lure)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-buy-and-use-a-slot-machine-in-my-own-home/148038/4 "2003-01-12T08:10:50Z")

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I think the standard disclaimer is for entertainment purposes only.Like sports lines in the daily papers.

Without a permit to run a game-this includes Nevada or any state that allows gambling-you’d be subject to the same laws that govern your local bookie when he gets busted.

To operate a game,legally,you must have a federal gaming stamp.Obviously,if you apply and they grant you one,your business is in the street,as we used to say.

BTW,you can buy the machines in Nevada at various places,if you really want one.

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**Author:** ![The\_Mermaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@The\_Mermaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mermaid)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-buy-and-use-a-slot-machine-in-my-own-home/148038/5 "2003-01-12T16:38:56Z")

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I live in Ohio and I have a friend who makes a very good living selling slot machines.

They are legal for entertainment purposes only.