23-5-131. Losses at illegal gambling may be recovered in civil action. A person, or his dependent or guardian, who, by playing or betting at an illegal gambling device or illegal gambling enterprise, loses money, property, or any other thing of value and pays and delivers it to another person connected with the operation or conduct of the illegal gambling device or illegal gambling enterprise, within 1 year following his loss, may:
     (1) bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover the loss;
     (2) recover the costs of the civil action and exemplary damages of no less than $500 and no more than $5,000; and
     (3) join as a defendant any person having an interest in the illegal gambling device or illegal gambling enterprise.

     History: En. Sec. 15, Ch. 115, L. 1907; Sec. 8430, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 11173, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 11173, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-2418, R.C.M. 1947; redes. by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, ; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 642, L. 1989.