The Johnson Act, as amended, generally prohibits the manufacture, possession, use, sale, or transportation of any “gambling device” in Indian Country, the District of Columbia, and possessions of the United States. 15 U.S.C. § 1175. It also requires all persons manufacturing, using, selling, transporting, or providing for the use of others to register with the US Department of Justice and certain disclosures when gambling devices are shipped.
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq., includes an exception to the Johnson Act prohibition against gambling devices in Indian Country. The Johnson Act is enforced by the United States Department of Justice and all questions regarding the Johnson Act should be directed to the Department of Justice.
Download a PDF of the Johnson Act.
Download of the Johnson Act, which requires the free Acrobat Reader available from Adobe.