BOMBAY PREVENTION OF GAMBLING ACT, 1887

An Act to consolidate and amend the law for the prevention of gambling in the [Maharashtra of Bombay.]

Preamble: WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law for the prevention of gambling in the State of Bombay; It is enacted as follows:

SECTION 01: SHORT TITLE, EXTENT

This Act may be cited as the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887. It extends to the whole of the State of Maharashra.

SECTION 02: [REPEAL OF ENACTMENTS, REP. ACT XVI OF 1895.

SECTION 03: “GAMING” DEFINED

In this Act “gaming” includes wagering, or betting except wagering or betting upon 2[a horse-race, or dog-race] when such wagering or betting rakes place - (a) on the day on which such race is to run, and

(b) in an enclosure which the licenses of the race-course, on which such race is to be run, has set apart for the purpose under the terms of the licence issued under section 4 of the Bombay Race-Course Licensing Act, 1912 3[or as the case may be, of the Maharashtra Dog Race-Courses Licensing Act, 1976 in respect of such race-course or in any other place approved by the State Government in this behalf,] and. -

6[(c) between any individual in person, being present in the enclosure 7[or approved place] on the one hand, and such licensee or other person licensed by such licensee in terms of the aforesaid licence on the other had 8[or between any number of individuals in person in such manner and by such contrivance as may be permitted by such licence; but does not include a lottery.

1. This definition was substituted by s.2 of the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, 1922 (Bom. 5 of 1922).

2. These words were substituted for the words “a horse-race” by Mah.33 of 1976 s.11 Sch

3 .Infra

4 These words were inserted, ibid s I Sch.

5. These words were inserted by Mah.. l2 of 1965.s.2(a)

6. Clause (e) was substituted or the original clause by Bom.3 of 1931. s. 2

7. These words were inserted by Mah. 12 of 1965, 5.2(b)

8. These words were inserted by Bom. 12 of 1934. s. 2.

Any transaction by which a person in any capacity whatever employs another in any capacity whatever or engages for another in any capacity whatever to wager or bet whether with such licensee or with any other person shall be deemed to be “gaming”: Provided, nevertheless, that such licensee may employ servants, and persons may accept service with such licensee, or wagering or betting in such manner or by such contrivance as may be permitted in such licence. 1[The collection or soliciting of bets, receipt or distribution of winnings or prizes in money or otherwise in respect of wagering or betting or any act which is intended to aid or facilitate wagering or betting or such collection, soliciting, receipt or distribution shall be deemed to be “gaming”.

“Instruments of gaming defined: 2[In this Act the expression “instruments of gaming” includes any article used 3[or intended to be used] as a subject or means of gaming. 4[any document used 3[or intended to be used] as a register or record or evidence of any gaming] 6[ the proceeds of any gaming, and any winnings or prizes in money or otherwise distributed or intended to be distributed in respect of any gaming.

7[In This Act, “Common Gaming-House” Means “Common gaming-house” defined.

(i) in the case of gaming

(a) on the market price of cotton, opium or other commodity or on the digits of the number used in stating such price, or

(b) on the amount of variation in the market price of any such commodity or on the digits of the number used in staling the amount of such variation, or

(c) on the market price of any stock or share or on the digits of the number used in stating such price, or

(d)on the occurrence or non-occurrence of rain or other natural event Or

1.These words were inserted by Bom.I of 1936. s.20).

2- This definition was inserted by s.1 of the Act to amend the Bombay prevention of Gambling Act, 1890 (Bom, I of 1890)

3. The words or intended to be used’ were inserted by Bom.I of 1936, s. 2(2Xi).

4. These words were added by s.2 of the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Amendment 1919(Bom. 6 of 1919).

5. The word and’ was omitted by Bom. I of 1936 s. 2(2)(ii).

6. These words were added, ibid, s 2(2)(iii).

7. This portion was substituted for the original by Bom. 14 of 1959s.3C

(e) on the quantity of rainfall or on the digits of the number used in stating such quantity 2[(f)on the pictures, digits or figures of one or more playing bards or other documents or objects bearing numbers, or on the total of such digits or figures. or on the basis of the occurrence or non-occurrence of any uncertain future event, or on the result of any draw, or on the basis of the sequence or any permutation or combination of such pictures, digits, figures, numbers, events or draws, any house, room or place whatsoever in which such gaming takes place or in which instruments of gaming are kept or used for such gaming;

(ii) in the case of any other form of gaming, any house, room or place whatsoever in which any instruments of gaming are kept or used for the profit or gain of the person owning, occupying, using or keeping such house, room or place by way of charge for the use of such house, room or place or instrument or otherwise howsoever.

In this Act, “place” includes a tent, enclosure, space, vehicle and vessel.]

1. This word was added by Mal 20 of 975. s. 2

2. Sub-clause (f) was inserted ibid, . s2(ii).

SECTION 04: “PLACE” DEFINED KEEPING COMMON GAMING HOUSE

1[(1) Whoever

(a) 2[opens, keeps or uses any house, mom or place), for the purpose, of a common gaming house.

(b) being the owner or occupier of any such house, room or place knowingly or wilfully permits the same to be opened, occupied, kept or used by any other person for the purpose aforesaid,

(c) has the care or management of, or in any manner assists in conducting the business of any such house, room, or place opened, occupied, kept or used for the purpose aforesaid,

(d) advances or furnishes money for the purposes of gaming with persons frequenting any such house room or place.

3[4[ on conviction, be punished with imprisonment 5[which may extend to two years] 6[and may also be punished with fine]:

1. Sec 4 was renumbered as sub-section (1), ibid., s.3.

2. These words were substituted by Bom. 2 of 1941, s.3 read with Born. 37 of 1947,s.2.

3. This portion was substituted by Bom. 37 of 1947. S. 3.

4 These words were substituted for the words “shall, on conviction, be punishable” by Mah 28 of 1967, s.2.

5. These words were substituted for the words “which may extend to six months by Mah. 20 of 1975, s.3(i).

6. These words were substituted for the words “and with fine’ by Mah.28 of 1967. S 2.

Provided that: -

(a) for a first offence such imprisonment shall not be less than 1[three months and fine shall not be less than five hundred rupees;]

(b) for a second offence such imprisonment shall not be less than 2[six months and fine shall not be less than one thousand rupees; and]

(c) for a third or subsequent offence such-imprisonment shall not be less than 3 year and fine shall not be less than two thousand rupees.]

4[(2)Nothing contained in the provisions of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958, or in sub-sections (1), (4), (5) and (6) of section 360 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, shall apply to any person convicted under this section.

1. This portion was substituted for the portion beginning the words “one month” and ending with the words “two hundred rupees” by Mah. 20 of 1975, s. 3(ii)(a).

2. This portion was substituted for the portion beginning with the words “three months” and ending with the words “two hundred rupees and,” ibid., s. 3(b).

3. This portion was substituted for the portion beginning with the words “six months” an ending with the words “two hundred rupees” ibid., a. 3(c). -

4. Sub-section (2) was inserted, ibid., s. 3(iii).

SECTION 05: GAMING IN COMMON GAMING HOUSE

1[Whoever is found in any common gaming or present for the purpose of gaming 2[3[shall on conviction punished] with imprisonment which may extend to six months 4[and may also be punished with fine];

Provided that -          

(a) for a first offence such imprisonment shall not be less than one month and fine shall not be less than two hundred rupees;

(b) for a second offence such imprisonment shall not be less than three months and fine shall not be less than two hundred rupees; and

(c) for a third or subsequent offence such imprisonment shall not be less than six months and fine shall not be less than two hundred rupees.]

Any person found in any common gaming-house during any gaming

5*        *          *therein shall be presumed, until the contrary 6[is proved], to have been there for the purpose of gaming.

1. This paragraph was substituted by s.3 of the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, 1919(Bom. 6 of 1919

2. This portion was substituted by Rom. 37 of 194 4

3. These words were substituted for the words shall on conviction, be punishable by Mah.28 of 1967, s.3.

4. These words were substituted for the words and with line’. ibid.

5. ‘The words or playing” were repealed by s. 3 or the Bombay Prevention of Gambling (Amendment)Act, 9l9(Bom. 6 of 1919).

6. These words “is proved” were substituted for the words “be made to appear” by Bom.1 of 1936 s.4(3)

SECTION 06: ENTRY, SEARCH, ETC. BY POLICE OFFICERS IN GAMING HOUSES

2[(1) shall be lawful for a Police Officer

(i) 3[in any area for which a Commissioner of Police has been appointed] not below the rank of a 4[* * * Sub-Inspector and either empowered by general order in writing or authorised in each case by special warrant issued by the Commissioner of Police, and

(ii) elsewhere not below the rank of a Sub-Inspector of Police authorised by special warrant issued in each case 5[by a District Magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate or by a Taluka Magistrate specially empowered by the State Government in this behalf or by a 6[Superintendent of Police] or by an Assistant or Deputy Superintendent of Police especially empowered by 7[the 8[State Government] in this behalf, 9[and

10[(iii) without prejudice to the provision in clause (ii) above, in such other area as the State Government may, by notification in the

1. Section 6 was substituted for the original section, ibid., s. 5.

2. Section 6 was re-numbered as sub-section (1) by Mah.1 of 1963, s. 2.

3. These words were substituted for the words, “in the Greater Bombay” by Bom. 56 of 195 s.3.Sch.

4. The words “Sergeant or” were deleted by Born. 14 of 1959, s.3(d).

5. These words were substituted for the words “by a Magistrate of the First Class or” by Bom 60 of 1954,s.2

6. These words were substituted for the words “District Superintendent of Police” by Mah. of 1962, s. 3. Sch.

7. The words “the Provincial Government” were substituted for the word “Government” by the Adaptation of Indian Laws Order in Council. -

8. This word was substituted for the word “Provincial” by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950

9. This word was inserted by Bom. 14 of l959,s. 3(d).

10. This clause was inserted, ibid.

Official Gazette, specify in this behalf, not below the rank of a Sub-Inspector and empowered by general order in writing issued by the District Magistrate]

(a) to enter, with the assistance of such persons as may be found necessary, by night or day, and by force, if necessary, any house, room or place which he has reason to suspect is used as a common gaming house.

(b) to search all parts of the house, room, or place which he shall have so entered, when he shall have reason to suspect that any instruments of gaming are concealed therein, and also the persons whom he shall find therein whether such persons are then actually gaming or not.

(c) to take into custody and bring before a Magistrate all such persons.

(d) to seize all things which are reasonably suspected to have been used or intended to be used for the purpose of gaming, and which are found therein:

Provided that no officer shall be authorised by special warrant unless the Commissioner of Police, the Magistrate, “Superintendent of Police” or Assistant or Deputy Superintendent of Police concerned is satisfied.

2[ *      *          * upon making such inquiry as he may think necessary, that there are good grounds to suspect the said house, room, or place to be used as a common gaming-house.]

3[(2) Notwithstanding anything in any law for the time being in force, no search made under this section shall be deemed illegal by reason only of the fact that the witnesses (if any) of the search were not inhabitants of the locality in which the house, mom or place searched is situate.]

1. These words were substituted for the words the District by Mah. 46 of 1962 Sch.

2. The words “upon any complaint at made before him or oath and” wore deleted by Bom. 24 0f 1959,s.3(d).

3. Sub-section (2) was added by Mah. 1 of 1963, s. 2.

SECTION 06A: PUNISHMENT FOR GIVING FALSE NAMES AND ADDRESSES

If any person found in any common gaming-house, entered by any Magistrate or officer of Police under the provisions of this Act, upon being arrested by any such officer or upon being brought before any Magistrate, and on being required by such officer or Magistrate to give his name and add refuses or neglects to give the same or gives any false name or address, he shall, on conviction, be punished with a fine not exceeding one thousand rupees and on the non-payment of such fine, or in the first instance if to the Court passing the sentence it shall seem fit, with imprisonment for a period not exceeding four months.]

SECTION 07: PRESUMPTIVE PROOF OF KEEPING OR GAMING IN COMMON GAMING HOUSE

When any instrument of gaming has been seized in any house room or place entered under section 6 or about the person of any one found therein, and in the case of any other thing so seized if the court is satisfied that the Police officer who entered such house, room or place had reasonable grounds for suspecting that the thing so seized was an instrument of gaming, the seizure of such ins or thing shall be evidence, until the contrary is proved, that such house, room or place is used as a common gaming-house and the persons found therein were then present for the purpose of gaming, although no gaming was actually seen by the Magistrate or the Police officer or by any person acting under the authority of either of them;]

Provided that the aforesaid presumption shall be made, notwithstanding any defect in the warrant or order in pursuance of which the house, room or place was entered under section 6, if the Court considers the defect not to be a material one.]

1. Section 6A was inserted by Born. 14 of 1959,s. 3(e).

2. Section 7 was substituted for the original section by Bom. 1 of 1936, s. 6.

3. This proviso was added by Bom 14 of  1959 s.3(f)

SECTION 08: ON CONVICTION FOR KEEPING OR GAMING IN COMMON GAMING HOUSE, INSTRUMENTS OF GAMING MAY BE DESTROYED

On conviction of any person for opening, keeping or using a common gaming house 1[* ****]

or gaming therein, or being present therein for the purpose of gaming, the convicting Magistrate may order all the instruments of gaming found therein or on the persons of those who were found therein, to be forthwith destroyed 2[or forfeited],

and may also order all or any of the securities for money and other articles seized, not being instruments of gaming, to be sold and the proceeds thereof, with all moneys seized therein, to be forfeited; or in his discretion, may order any part of such proceeds and other moneys to be paid to any person appearing to be entitled thereto.

SECTION 09: PROOF OF PLAYING FOR MONEY NOT REQUIRED FOR CONVICTION

It shall not be necessary, in order to convict a person of any offence against any of the provisions of sections 4 and 5, to prove that any person found 3[gaming] was playing for any money, wager or stake.

1. The words “or playing’ were repealed by s. 5 of the Bombay Prevention of Gambling (Amendment) Act, 1919 (Bom. 6 of 1919),

2. The words “or forfeited’ were added by Bom.1 of 1936, s. 7.

3. This word was substituted for the words ‘playing at any game’ by s.6 of the Bombay P of Gambling (Amendment) Act, 1919 (Born. 6o1 1919).

SECTION 10: INDEMNIFICATION OF CERTAIN WITNESSES

Any person who has been concerned in gaming contrary to this Act, and who is examined as a witness before a Magistrate in trial of any person for a breach of any of the provisions of this Act relating to gaming, and who, upon such examination, makes in the opinion of the Magistrate- true and faithful discovery to the best of his knowledge of all things as to which he is so examined, shall thereupon receive from the said Magistrate a certificate in writing to that effect and shall be freed from all prosecutions under this Act for any thing done before that time in respect of such gaming.

SECTION 11: PAYMENT OF PORTION OF LINE TO INFORMER

Deleted by Mah.1 of 1963, s.3

SECTION 12: POWER TO ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT FOR GAMING AND SETTING BIRDS AND ANIMALS TO FIGHT IN PUBLIC STREETS

A Police officer may apprehend 2[and search without warrant

(a) any person found 3[gaming 4[or reasonably suspected to be gaming] in any public street 5[or thoroughfare, or in any place to which the public have or are permitted to have access] 6[or in any race-course];

(b) any person setting any birds or animals to fight in any public street 5[or thoroughfare, or in any place to which the public have or are permitted to have access];

(c).any person there present aiding and abetting such public fighting of birds and animals.

1.This section was substituted for the original by Bombay 14 of 1959,s. 3

2. The words and search were inserted by Born. 1 of 1936 s. 9

3. This words was substituted for the words playing for money or other valuable thing with cards, dice, counters or other instruments of gaming used in playing m game, not being a ganieofntercskill’bys.7otihcRomhay Prevention of Gambling(Amendment)Act, 1919 (Bom.6o11919).

4, The words or reasonably suspected to be gaming were inserted by Bom. 1 of  1936 , s.9(2).

5. These words were substituted for the words place or thoroughfare” by Schedule 1. Part II, Serial No.14 of the Bombay Repealing and Amending Act, 1910 (Bom. I of 1910).

6. These words were added by s.4 of the Bombay Prevent (Amendment) Act, 1922 (Bom. 5 of 1922).

Any such person shall on conviction, 1[be punished both with fine which may extend to three hundred rupees and with imprisonment which may extend to 2[three months] 3[and where such gaming consists of wagering or betting or of any such transaction as is referred to in definition of gaming given in section 3, any such person so found gaming shall, on conviction, be 4[punishable in the manner and to the extent referred to in section 4, and all moneys found with such person shall be forfeited.]

And such Police-officer may seize all birds and animals and 5[thing reasonably suspected to be instruments of gaming] found in such public street, 6[thoroughfare 7[place or race-course]] or on 8[or about] the person of those whom he shall so arrest, and the Magistrate may, on conviction of the offender, order such instruments to be forthwith destroyed, and such birds and animals to be sold and the proceeds forfeited. 9[When any thing has been on or about any person and a court is satisfied that the Police-officer had-reasonable grounds for suspecting that such thing was an instrument of gaming, such circumstance shall, until the contrary is proved, be evidence that such thing was an instrument of gaming and that the person on or about whom the thing was found was present for the purpose of gaming]

1. This portion was substituted for the portion beginning with the words be punishable with and ending with the words or with imprisonment by Mah, 20 of 1975. s.4.

2. The words “three months” were substituted for the words “one month” by Bom. 1 of 1936.s.

3. The words were added by s.4 of the Bombay Prevention of Gambling( Amendment) Act 1922 (Bom.5 of 1922).

4, The word “Punishable” was substituted for the word “punished’’ by Bom. 1 of 1936, S.9(3)

5. These words were substituted for the words “instruments of gaming” ibid. 9(6).

6. These  words were substituted for the word “place or thorough fare” by Schedule 1, Pan II Serial 14 of the Bombay Repealing and Amending Act. 1910 Of Bom 1 of 1910,

7. These words were substituted for the words ‘or place’’ by s.4 of the Bombay Prevention of Gambling (Amendment) Act, 1922 (Bom. 5 of 1922),

8. The word ‘or about” were inserted by Bom. 1 of 1936, s.9(6).

9. This paragraph was added, ibid. s. 9(7).

SECTION 12A: POWER TO ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT FOR PRINTING; PUBLISHING OR DISTRIBUTING ANY NEWS OR INFORMATION

A Police-officer may apprehend without warrant any person who prints, publishes, sells, distributes or in any manner circulates any newspaper, news-sheet or other document or any news or information with the intention of aiding or facilitating gaming.

Any such person shall, on conviction, be punishable in the manner and to the extent referred to in section 4.

And any Police officer may enter and search any place for the purpose of seizing and may seize all thing reasonably suspected to be used or to be intended to be used, for the purpose of committing an offence under this section.

SECTION 12B: PRESUMPTIVE PROOF OF PRINTING, PUBLISHING, DISTRIBUTING ETC., ANY NEWS OR INFORMATION

Where anything is seized under section 12A, if the court is satisfied that the Police officer who seized the thing had reasonable ground for suspecting that the thing so seized had been used or was likely to be used for the purpose of committing an offence under that section, the seizure of such thing shall be evidence, until the contrary is proved, that the thing so seized was printed, published, sold, distributed or in any manner circulated, as the ease may be, with the intention of aiding or facilitating gaming.

1. Section 12 A was inserted by Bom.1 of 1936 s.10.

2. Section 2B was inserted by Mah. 20 of 1975. S. 5.

SECTION 13: SAVING OF GAMES OF MERE SKILL

Nothing in this Act shall be held to apply to any game of mere skill wherever played.

SECTION 14: REPEAL AND SAVING

The Gambling Act, 1305 F, the Public Gambling Act, 1867 in its extension to the Vidarbha region of the State of Bombay, the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887 as applied to the Saurashtra area by the State of Saurashtra (Application of Central and Bombay Acts) Ordinance, 1948 and the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887 as applied to the Cutch area by the Kutch (Application of Laws) Order, 1949 are hereby repealed:

Provided that such repeal shall not affect

(a) the previous operation of the Acts so repealed, or

(b) any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under any Act so repealed, or

(c) any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any offence committed against any of the provisions of the Acts so repealed

(d) any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture or punishment as aforesaid; and any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy may be instituted, continued or enforced and any such penalty, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed as if the Bombay Prevention of Gambling (Extension and Amendment) Act, 1959 has not been passed:

Provided further that, subject to the preceding proviso, anything done or any action taken (including authorisation made, powers conferred orders given and indemnity granted) by or under the provisions of the Acts so repealed shall, in so far as it is not inconsistent with any provisions of this Act, be deemed to be done or taken under the corresponding provision of this Act and shall until altered, repealed or amended by anything done or any action taken under this Act, continue in force accordingly.]

1         Section 14 was added by Bom. 14 of 1959, s. 3