I don't have a clue if a poker chip, or round piece of plastic, is gambling equipment. Considering the casino is closed, it's not gambling equipment? The person writing to you would also assume that all home play poker chips are "gambling equipment"?

I have a strong feeling that collecting chips is not illegal in Washington, any more than it is anywhere else that has laws against owning or posessing "gambling equipment" but stranger things have happened in this world.

WAC 230-12-335 Control of gambling equipment -- Sales and purchases by and to licensees only -- Authorized transfers of gambling equipment. It shall be the responsibility of all licensees to ensure that gambling equipment is closely controlled and possessed only by authorized persons. Gambling equipment possessed by unauthorized persons is subject to seizure and forfeiture. It shall be the responsibility of all licensees to report all unauthorized possession of such equipment to the commission. The following restrictions and exceptions apply to the transfer of gambling equipment:

Restrictions.

(1) Prior to selling gambling equipment to or purchasing such from any person, a licensee shall ensure that the person receiving or selling the equipment possesses a valid gambling license: Provided, That Class F and house-banked card room applicants may possess gambling equipment during the prelicensing process after receiving written approval from commission staff.

Authorized transfers of gambling equipment.

(2) In addition to normal business transactions between manufacturers, distributors and operators, the following transfers of gambling equipment are authorized:

(a) Gambling equipment may be transferred as a part of a sale of a business when such sale is contingent on the buyer receiving a gambling license prior to the completion of the transaction. A complete record shall be made of all gambling equipment transferred in this manner, including commission identification and inspection services stamp numbers. Such transfers, including a copy of the inventory record, shall be reported to the commission.

(b) Licensed operators or distributors whose license has been revoked, expired, or voluntarily surrendered may sell or otherwise transfer gambling equipment to a licensed manufacturer or distributor. Transfers of gambling equipment in this manner are subject to the following requirements:

(i) Such transfer shall be completed within thirty days of the date the license became invalid;

(ii) The transaction is for cash or credit against amounts owed a manufacturer by a distributor;

(iii) A complete inventory of all gambling equipment transferred in this manner, including commission identification and inspection services stamp numbers, shall be reported to the commission within ten days of the transaction by the operator or distributor selling the equipment; and

(iv) The licensed manufacturer or distributor receiving the equipment shall prepare a credit memorandum as required by WAC 230-08-025(2). A copy of the inventory record and notice of sale reported to the commission shall be attached and maintained as a part of this record.

(c) A bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization may sell or otherwise transfer gambling equipment used for fund-raising events to another charitable or nonprofit organization authorized to possess such equipment. Such transfers shall be limited as set forth in WAC 230-25-110. A complete inventory of all gambling equipment transferred in this manner shall be reported to the commission within ten days of the transaction by the charitable or nonprofit organization selling or transferring the equipment.

Statutory Authority: RCW 9.46.070. 00-15-039 (Order 385), § 230-12-335, filed 7/14/00, effective 1/1/01.