Attorney General's Opinion
Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal
January 4, 2005
Paul A. Young
Executive Director
Division of Special Revenue
555 Russell Road
Hartford, CT 06111
Dear Mr. Young:
This is in response to the request for an opinion from your agency on the legality of devices known as "three button slot machines," and whether these devices fall within the definition of "video facsimile" as used in the agreements between the State of Connecticut and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and Mohegan Tribe. The agreements require the tribes to contribute twenty-five percent of their gross operating revenues from the operation of video facsimile machines at the tribal casinos, provided no other person within the state may lawfully operate "video facsimile games or other commercial casino games." Mashantucket Pequot Second Amendment MOU of April 25, 1994, pp. 1-2; see also Mohegan MOU of May 17, 1994, pp. 2, 8, Attachments A, B. For the following reasons, we conclude that these devices are illegal slot machines that are not permitted in Connecticut. In addition, permitting their use would violate the agreements with the Tribes.
Our analysis must focus on the nature of the devices, and the applicability of the statutes on point. You describe the machines as follows:
The devices can be operated by the deposit of quarters, with slight adjustment, and if the spinning reels stop on matching symbols the machine yields a payoff of tokens or coins which fall into a tray at the base of the device for removal by the player. The devices are electronic, and their similarity to slot machines at the Indian casinos is unmistakable. Wording on the sample device observed labels it as a "slot machine."
Of course, the name on the machine is not dispositive; rather, we must examine the manner and result of its operation. Gambling, 38 Am. Jur. 2d § 101 at p. 151. The criminal statutes, which render gambling a misdemeanor, define gambling as "risking any money, credit, deposit or other thing of value by gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance or the operation of a gambling device, including the playing of a casino gambling game such as blackjack, poker, craps, roulette or a slot machine (with certain exceptions not here relevant)." Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-278a(2) (emphasis added). Also, professional gambling involves "maintaining slot machines." Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-278a(3). Additionally, the statutes define "gambling device" as follows:
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-278a(4) (emphasis added).
Possession of a gambling device, except as permitted under certain circumstances not here relevant, is a misdemeanor. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-278c(d). These statutes make it absolutely clear that slot machines are gambling devices and it is illegal to possess or play them, except in circumstances not relevant to your question. However, the statutes do not define what is a slot machine.
Case law does provide guidance in this area. Thus, in Farina v. Kelly, 147 Conn. 444 (1960), our Supreme Court ruled:
Farina v. Kelly, supra at 448-49.
The elements of price and prize are not seriously questionable in the devices in question. The machines operate by token, and pay off in tokens, but this can be easily modified or credited by operators for coins. Anything of value can be used in an illegal gambling device under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-278a(4). Moreover, it has been held that "[a]rticles which ordinarily serve other purposes may be found to be devices and apparatus for gambling purposes if they are reasonably adapted to, and at the time in question are intended and actually used for, those purposes." State v. DeNegris, 153 Conn. 5, 12 (1965) quoting State v. Tolisano, 136 Conn. 210, 215 (1949). These token operated machines are obviously intended for gambling.
We also conclude that the element of chance is present in these devices. An argument could be made that because the player of a three button slot machine can stop the spinning reels manually, a person of great quickness of hand and eye and exquisite timing could cause the machine to stop on three matching images resulting in a win.
When operating, the reels in the machine spin so quickly it is highly improbable that skill could influence the outcome. However, the possibility that skill could, in some way, affect the outcome of the game does not convert this device into a game of skill outside the reach of the gambling laws. Gambling involves risking a value "in whole or in part upon … chance or the operating of a gambling device" Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-278a(2) (emphasis added). A gambling device involves "an element of chance." Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-278a(4). Chance must be partly responsible for a win, but need not be exclusively responsible. On the other hand, games outside the scope of the gambling laws are "Legal contests of skill, speed, strength or endurance in which awards are made only to entrants or the owners of entries." Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-278a(2). Thus it has been held that where the use of skill is minimal compared with the element of chance in winning, the device is an illegal slot machine. See State v. Parker, 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 598, 601 (App. Div. 1966). Also, the possibility that a machine could be "rigged" so that a player could win by some manipulation does not convert it into a game of skill. Farina v. Kelly, supra at 450. The element of chance is the predominant, if not exclusive, factor in determining a win in the use of the three button slot machine. Accordingly, we conclude that three button slot machines are illegal slot machines.1
Mashantucket Pequot Procedures, Sec 2 (cc); Mohegan Sun Compact, Sec. 2 (cc).
1This office does not have jurisdiction over criminal matters generally. Conn. Gen. Stat.§ 3-125. However, we have asked the Chief State's Attorney to review this opinion, and he concurs in this conclusion.