{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "225.15", "citation": "Penal Law § 225.15", "heading": "Possession of gambling records in the second degree", "text": ["§ 225.15 Possession of gambling records in the second degree.", "A person is guilty of possession of gambling records in the second degree when, with knowledge of the contents or nature thereof, he possesses any writing, paper, instrument or article:", "1. Of a kind commonly used in the operation or promotion of a bookmaking scheme or enterprise; or", "2. Of a kind commonly used in the operation, promotion or playing of a lottery or policy scheme or enterprise; except that in any prosecution under this subdivision, it is a defense that the writing, paper, instrument or article possessed by the defendant constituted, reflected or represented plays, bets or chances of the defendant himself in a number not exceeding ten.", "3. Of any paper or paper product in sheet form chemically converted to nitrocellulose having explosive characteristics.", "4. Of any water soluble paper or paper derivative in sheet form.", "Possession of gambling records in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/225.15", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person who knows an item’s contents or nature commits second-degree possession of gambling records by possessing:\n- **(1)** an item commonly used for bookmaking;\n- **(2)** an item commonly used for a lottery or policy scheme, although it is a defense that it represents only the defendant’s own bets or chances, **no more than 10**;\n- **(3)** explosive nitrocellulose paper in sheet form; or\n- **(4)** water-soluble paper or a paper derivative in sheet form. ★\nThe offense is a **class A misdemeanor**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/225.15", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}