§ 24-12.1. Bookmaking records.
(a)
Possession of bookmaking records. Whosoever shall possess, except for evidence purposes, any document, file, list, slip or record of any kind or character whatever which is designed for the use of or used for recording or documenting any making, placing, or taking of any bet or wager of money or anything of value on a horse race, dog race, automobile race, motorcycle race, or any other race of any kind whatsoever, a football game, baseball game, basketball game, hockey game, soccer game, athletic contest or sports event of whatever kind or character, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. A person in possession of bookmaking records is presumed to know the nature, character, and past and prospective use of same.
(b)
Definitions.
(1)
"Bookmaking" as used in section 24-12.1(a) shall have the meaning as ascribed and given by Article 652a of the Penal Code of the State of Texas.
(2)
"Bookmaking records" shall mean any written, printed, typed or otherwise produced or reproduced lists of persons' names, telephone or communication media numbers, events upon which wagers may be placed, times, places or locations of such events, slips, oddsmakers' lists or information letters, telegrams, or any other item, object or thing used for bookmaking record keeping, whether such records be in code or uncoded, and in whatever language. It is not the intention of this section to prohibit the possession of commercially produced newspapers, schedules or lists which have not been altered from original form for use as bookmaking records by the addition thereto of wagering information, names, locations, odds, addresses, telephone numbers, or other gambling or bookmaking notations.
(3)
"Possession" shall mean having any such records on or about the person or in any vehicle or premises, house or structure under the control of or occupied by such person, whether such person is the owner thereof or not.
(c)
Penalty for violation. Any person or persons violating any provision of section 24-12.1 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00).
(Ord. No. 2089, § 1, 3-18-71)