Chapter 945

945.01(5)(b)2.g. g. Using a chance promotion exempt under s. 100.16 (2).

945.01(5)(b)2.h. h. An employee referring a person to the employee’s employer to purchase goods or services from the employer, or identifying for the employer a person who may purchase goods or services from the employer, regardless of whether the employee who makes the referral or identification is compensated in any manner for the referral or identification.

945.01(5)(b)2.i. i. A deposit of an amount of money in an account that results in an entry in a savings promotion program under s. 186.114, 214.595, 215.137, or 221.0329 or a program sponsored by a federally chartered financial institution, or in which a federally chartered financial institution participates, that meets all requirements for a savings promotion program under s. 186.114, 214.595, 215.137, or 221.0329.

945.01(6) (6) Wire communication facility. “Wire communication facility” means any and all instrumentalities, personnel and services, and among other things the receipt, forwarding or delivery of communications used or useful in the transmission of writings, signs, pictures and sounds of all kinds by means of wire, cable, microwave or other like connection between the points of origin and reception of such transmission.

945.01 History History: 1973 c. 156; Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 784 (1973); 1975 c. 94; 1977 c. 90, 426; 1979 c. 40, 91; 1981 c. 351; 1983 a. 189; 1987 a. 119, 329, 354, 403; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 269, 321; 1993 a. 486; 1995 a. 11; 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 107; 2009 a. 354; 2011 a. 109; 2013 a. 273; 2015 a. 6; 2017 a. 72.

945.01 Annotation The defendant’s use of a warehouse to conduct pyramid club meetings was a “principal use” under sub. (4) (a). State v. Dahlk, 111 Wis. 2d 287, 330 N.W.2d 611 (Ct. App. 1983).

945.01 Annotation Evidence of prior gambling activity is necessary to prove the existence of a “gambling place.” State v. Nixa, 121 Wis. 2d 160, 360 N.W.2d 52 (Ct. App. 1984).

945.01 Annotation A video poker machine is not a gambling machine per se. State v. Hahn, 203 Wis. 2d 450, 553 N.W.2d 292 (Ct. App. 1996), 94-2567.

945.01 Annotation The definition of “gambling machine” in sub. (3) is not unconstitutionally vague. State v. Hahn, 221 Wis. 2d 670, 586 N.W.2d 5 (Ct. App. 1998), 97-3065.

945.01 Annotation If the defendant satisfied all the requirements of s. 100.16 (2), it is entitled to the exemption under sub. (5) (b) 2. g. No additional, unstated requirements will be read in. Bohrer v. City of Milwaukee, 2001 WI App 237, 248 Wis. 2d 319, 635 N.W.2d 816, 00-3088.

945.01 Annotation For a machine to fall under the definition of a gambling machine under sub. (3), there is no requirement that patrons actually receive payouts or prizes in exchange for redeemable credits. Champeau v. City of Milwaukee, 2002 WI App 79, 252 Wis. 2d 604, 642 N.W.2d 634, 01-2060.

945.01 Annotation Kiosks that allow customers to pay to play a video game that awards cash prizes based on chance are gambling machines under sub. (3) (a). This conclusion is not affected by the definition of consideration for lotteries under sub. (5) or that subsection’s exclusion of in-pack chance promotions under s. 100.16 (2). Likewise, the kiosks are no less gambling machines just because they can also be used for non-gambling purposes, including cellphone charging and limited gratuitous use of their video game function. Quick Charge Kiosk LLC v. Kaul, 2020 WI 54, 392 Wis. 2d 35, 944 N.W.2d 598, 18-0947. See also JD Prime Games Kiosk, LLC v. DOR, 2022 WI App 6, 400 Wis. 2d 499, 969 N.W.2d 778, 20-1935.

945.01 Annotation Monies paid by individuals to subscribe to cable TV could be consideration that would make a bingo game offered over cable TV gambling. 60 Atty. Gen. 382.

945.01 Annotation A silent auction is not a lottery because the element of prize is not present. 62 Atty. Gen. 122.

945.01 Annotation Discussing the illegality of Michigan lottery activities in Wisconsin. 62 Atty. Gen. 186.

945.01 Annotation If any element of an Indian tribe’s television bingo game occurs off the reservation, it is subject to prosecution under Wisconsin criminal law. 80 Atty. Gen. 332.

945.02 945.02 Gambling. Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor:

945.02(1) (1) Makes a bet; or

945.02(2) (2) Enters or remains in a gambling place with intent to make a bet, to participate in a lottery, or to play a gambling machine; or

945.02(3) (3) Conducts a lottery, or with intent to conduct a lottery, possesses facilities to do so.

945.02 History History: 1977 c. 173.

945.02 Annotation Games such as “Las Vegas nights” constitute illegal lotteries; the law does not exempt benevolent and nonprofit organizations. 70 Atty. Gen. 59.

945.03 945.03 Commercial gambling.

945.03(1m) (1m) Whoever intentionally does any of the following is engaged in commercial gambling and, except as provided in sub. (2m), is guilty of a Class I felony:

945.03(1m)(a) (a) Participates in the earnings of or for gain operates or permits the operation of a gambling place; or

945.03(1m)(b) (b) For gain, receives, records or forwards a bet or offer to bet or, with intent to receive, record or forward a bet or offer to bet, possesses facilities to do so; or

945.03(1m)(c) (c) For gain, becomes a custodian of anything of value bet or offered to be bet; or

945.03(1m)(d) (d) Conducts a lottery where both the consideration and the prize are money, or with intent to conduct such a lottery, possesses facilities to do so; or

945.03(1m)(e) (e) Sets up for use for the purpose of gambling or collects the proceeds of any gambling machine; or

945.03(1m)(f) (f) For gain, maintains in this state any record, paraphernalia, tickets, certificates, bills, slip, token, paper, writing or other device used, or to be used, or adapted, devised or designed for use in gambling; or

945.03(1m)(g) (g) For gain, uses a wire communication facility for the transmission or receipt of information assisting in the placing of a bet or offer to bet on any sporting event or contest, or for the transmission of a wire communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of a bet or offer to bet.

945.03(2m) (2m) If the violation of sub. (1m) involves the possession, operation, setup, collection of proceeds, participation in earnings or maintenance of, or involves acting as the custodian of anything of value bet or offered to be bet on, not more than 5 video gambling machines on premises for which a Class “B” or “Class B” license or permit has been issued under ch. 125, the person may be penalized as follows:

945.03(2m)(a) (a) If the violation involves one video gambling machine, the person may be required to forfeit not more than $500.

945.03(2m)(b) (b) If the violation involves 2 video gambling machines, the person may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000.

945.03(2m)(c) (c) If the violation involves 3 video gambling machines, the person may be required to forfeit not more than $1,500.

945.03(2m)(d) (d) If the violation involves 4 video gambling machines, the person may be required to forfeit not more than $2,000.

945.03(2m)(e) (e) If the violation involves 5 video gambling machines, the person may be required to forfeit not more than $2,500.

945.03 History History: 1977 c. 173; 1999 a. 9, 185; 2001 a. 109.

945.03 Annotation The offense of commercial gambling is distinguishable from the offense of making a bet. The statute is not unconstitutionally vague. State v. Vlahos, 50 Wis. 2d 609, 184 N.W.2d 817 (1971).

945.03 Annotation A complaint charging 30 counts of commercial gambling, one for a specific bet allegedly taken by the defendant and 29 for the regular receipt of bets from eight bettors with all but one named in two or more counts, on unspecified athletic events over extended periods was multiplicitous and defective as to the 29, because the counts divided a single charge of continuous commercial gambling into several counts. State v. George, 69 Wis. 2d 92, 230 N.W.2d 253 (1975).

945.03 Annotation A video poker machine is not a gambling machine per se. The defendant must have collected proceeds from video poker machines knowing they were being used for gambling and that the proceeds were derived from the gambling. State v. Hahn, 203 Wis. 2d 450, 553 N.W.2d 292 (Ct. App. 1996), 94-2567.

945.03 Annotation An Iowa-licensed river boat equipped with casino-style gambling games may be engaged in illegal commercial gambling if it enters Wisconsin waters. 79 Atty. Gen. 206.

945.03 Annotation Although an indictment failed to state which of seven subsections the defendants’ alleged gambling business violated, more specificity was not required to enable the defendants to successfully plead the bar of double jeopardy and to inform them of what they would have to meet to formulate a defense; thus the indictment was not subject to dismissal. United States v. Halmo, 386 F. Supp. 593 (1974).

945.035 945.035 Certain slot machines on licensed premises.

945.035(1) (1) In this section, “exempt slot machine” means a slot machine manufactured before December 31, 1974, that is exempt from the prohibition under s. 945.05 (1) because it is intended to be used solely for display, restoration and preservation purposes.

945.035(2) (2) No person to whom a license or permit has been issued under ch. 125 may do any of the following:

945.035(2)(a) (a) Set up or keep an exempt slot machine on the premises for which the license or permit is issued.

945.035(2)(b) (b) Permit another person to set up or keep an exempt slot machine on the premises for which the license or permit is issued.

945.035(3) (3) A person who violates sub. (2) may be required to forfeit not more than $500 for each violation.

945.035 History History: 1999 a. 134.

945.04 945.04 Permitting premises to be used for commercial gambling.

945.04(1m) (1m) Except as provided in sub. (2m), whoever intentionally does any of the following is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor:

945.04(1m)(a) (a) Permits any real estate owned or occupied by him or her or under his or her control to be used as a gambling place; or

945.04(1m)(b) (b) Permits a gambling machine to be set up for use for the purpose of gambling in a place under his or her control.

945.04(2m) (2m) If the violation of sub. (1m) involves the setup or use of not more than 5 video gambling machines on premises for which a Class “B” or “Class B” license or permit has been issued under ch. 125, the person may be penalized as follows:

945.04(2m)(a) (a) If the violation involves one video gambling machine, the person may be required to forfeit not more than $500.

945.04(2m)(b) (b) If the violation involves 2 video gambling machines, the person may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000.

945.04(2m)(c) (c) If the violation involves 3 video gambling machines, the person may be required to forfeit not more than $1,500.

945.04(2m)(d) (d) If the violation involves 4 video gambling machines, the person may be required to forfeit not more than $2,000.

945.04(2m)(e) (e) If the violation involves 5 video gambling machines, the person may be required to forfeit not more than $2,500.

945.04 History History: 1977 c. 173; 1993 a. 486; 1999 a. 9, 185.

945.04 Annotation The defendant’s use of a warehouse to conduct pyramid club meetings was a “principal use” under s. 945.01 (4) (a). State v. Dahlk, 111 Wis. 2d 287, 330 N.W.2d 611 (Ct. App. 1983).

945.041 945.041 Revocation of license and injunction against gambling devices.

945.041(1) (1) A license or permit issued under ch. 125 to any person who knowingly permits any slot machine, roulette wheel, other similar mechanical gambling device, or number jar or other device designed for like form of gambling, or any horse race betting or other bookmaking as defined in s. 945.01, or solicitation of drinks from customers under s. 944.36 to be set up, kept, managed, used or conducted upon the licensed premises or in connection therewith upon premises controlled directly or indirectly by the person, shall be revoked by the circuit courts by a special proceeding as provided in this section. If a license or permit has been revoked no other license or permit of any character provided for by ch. 125 may be issued to the person who held the license or permit, prior to the expiration of one year from the effective date of the revocation. If any appeal is taken from the revocation, any period during which the order is stayed shall be added to the one year.

945.041(2) (2) Any sheriff, undersheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or other municipal police officer or any person authorized to enforce the gambling laws under s. 165.60 shall within 10 days after acquiring such information report to the district attorney of the county the name and address of any licensee or permittee under ch. 125 who to his or her knowledge has knowingly suffered or permitted any device in sub. (1) or any horse race betting to be set up, kept, managed, used or conducted upon the licensed premises or in connection therewith upon premises controlled directly or indirectly by such licensee or permittee. Such officer or person shall also report to the district attorney knowledge of the circumstances and the name of the municipality or officer by whom the license or permit has been issued. Any other person may in writing and signed by that person report any such name, address and other information to the district attorney. Within 10 days after any report the district attorney shall institute a proceeding as hereinafter provided before the circuit court of the county or shall within such time report to the attorney general the reasons why such a proceeding has not been instituted. The attorney general may direct the department of justice or the district attorney to institute such proceeding within a reasonable time.

945.041(3) (3) Such proceeding shall be in the name of the state and the issues may be determined by a jury. It shall be instituted by the filing of a petition and service of a notice as herein provided. The petition shall be directed to the circuit court and shall set forth a clear and concise statement of the grounds that are alleged to exist justifying a revocation of the license or permit under sub. (1), and shall request an order revoking such license or permit. It shall also request an injunction restraining the defendant from thereafter knowingly suffering or permitting any such devices or any horse race betting to be set up, kept, managed, used or conducted upon premises directly or indirectly controlled by the defendant. Upon the filing of such petition the court shall fix a time for hearing not to exceed 30 days from the date of filing at a place within the judicial circuit, and a copy of the petition and a notice of the time and place of hearing shall be served upon the defendant not less than 20 days prior to the date of hearing. Such service shall be made in the same manner as a summons is served in a civil action, except that it may also be made by leaving a copy of said petition and notice with any person charged with the operation of the licensed premises under s. 125.68 (2). The allegations of the petition shall be deemed controverted and shall be at issue without further pleading by the defendant. No hearing shall be adjourned except for cause. If upon such hearing the court finds that the allegations of the petition are true, it shall issue a written order revoking the license or permit and shall likewise enjoin the defendant from thereafter knowingly suffering or permitting any gambling devices referred to in sub. (1) or any horse race betting to be set up, kept, managed, used or conducted upon premises directly or indirectly controlled by the defendant. The district attorney shall forthwith cause a copy of the order to be filed with the issuing authority of the license or permit and shall cause a copy to be served upon the defendant as above provided or the defendant’s attorney. The revocation and injunction shall become effective upon such service. In cases where a license is issued by a town, city or village, a copy of the order shall also be filed with the department of revenue.

945.041(4) (4) The law enforcement officials referred to in sub. (2) shall also report to the district attorney the names and addresses of persons other than licensees under ch. 125 who permit devices referred to in sub. (1) or any horse race betting to be set up, kept, managed, used or conducted upon premises controlled directly or indirectly by such persons. They shall also report their knowledge of the circumstances and the location of such premises. Thereupon the district attorney shall proceed as in the case of licensees or permittees, except that the only request of the petition shall be for the issuance of the injunction referred to in sub. (3) and the other required allegations shall be correspondingly changed. Such proceeding shall be had and such injunctional orders entered and served as under sub. (3).

945.041(5) (5) Violations of injunctional orders under this section are punishable by the court as contempts of court under ch. 785.

945.041(6) (6) Appeals may be taken from orders issued by the circuit court hereunder as in the case of special proceedings.

945.041(7) (7) Any proceeding instituted by a district attorney shall not be dismissed with the district attorney’s consent except upon the written approval of the circuit court.

945.041(8) (8) Any officer or employee referred to in sub. (2) or any district attorney who shall without proper excuse neglect or refuse to perform the duties required of him or her herein within such times as may be specified shall be subject to removal. The governor may remove any such sheriff or district attorney under s. 17.16 by filing a complaint on the governor’s own motion.

945.041(9) (9) Every officer and district attorney shall keep a written record of reports made by or to him or her under sub. (2).

945.041(10) (10) No proceeding under this section may be commenced for violations of ch. 563.

945.041(11) (11) No proceeding under this section may be commenced to revoke a Class “B” or “Class B” license or permit issued under ch. 125 to a person solely because the person knowingly permits 5 or fewer video gambling machines to be set up, kept, managed, used or conducted upon the licensed premises.

945.041 History History: 1973 c. 156; 1975 c. 39 s. 675v; 1975 c. 199; Stats. 1975 s. 945.041; 1977 c. 26, 173; 1977 c. 187 s. 135; 1979 c. 257; 1981 c. 79 s. 18; 1987 a. 399; 1991 a. 269; 1993 a. 486; 1999 a. 9.

945.05 945.05 Dealing in gambling devices.

945.05(1) (1) Except as provided in subs. (1e) (b) and (1m), whoever manufactures, transfers commercially or possesses with intent to transfer commercially either of the following is guilty of a Class I felony:

945.05(1)(a) (a) Anything which he or she knows evidences, purports to evidence or is designed to evidence participation in a lottery or the making of a bet; or

945.05(1)(b) (b) Any device which he or she knows is designed exclusively for gambling purposes or anything which he or she knows is designed exclusively as a subassembly or essential part of such device. This includes without limitation gambling machines, numbers jars, punch boards and roulette wheels. Playing cards, dice, permanently disabled gambling machines and slot machines manufactured before December 31, 1974, that are intended to be used solely for display, restoration and preservation purposes shall not be considered devices exclusively for gambling purposes.

945.05(1e) (1e) 

945.05(1e)(a) (a) In this subsection, “authorized gambling facility” means any of the following:

945.05(1e)(a)1. 1. An Indian gaming facility, as defined in s. 569.01 (1j).

945.05(1e)(a)2. 2. A gaming establishment located on lands acquired after October 17, 1998, by the U.S. secretary of the interior in trust for the benefit of an Indian tribe.

945.05(1e)(a)3. 3. A facility at which gambling lawfully takes place.

945.05(1e)(b) (b) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who manufactures, transfers commercially or possesses with intent to transfer commercially gambling devices described in sub. (1) (a) and (b) to any of the following:

945.05(1e)(b)1. 1. An authorized gambling facility.

945.05(1e)(b)2. 2. A nonprofit or public educational institution that provides an educational program for which it awards a bachelor’s or higher degree for the use in a casino gaming management class.

945.05(1m) (1m) If a violation of sub. (1) involves the commercial transfer of a video gambling machine or possession of a video gambling machine with the intent to transfer commercially, the person is subject to a Class C forfeiture.

945.05(2) (2) Proof of possession of any device designed exclusively for gambling purposes, which is less than 25 years old, is not in a gambling place and is not set up for use, is prima facie evidence of possession with intent to transfer.