Section 16-12-21. Gambling

   (a) A person commits the offense of gambling when he:

   (1) Makes a bet upon the partial or final result of any game or contest or upon the performance of any participant in such game or contest;

   (2) Makes a bet upon the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election or upon the degree of success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate; or

   (3) Plays and bets for money or other thing of value at any game played with cards, dice, or balls.

(b) A person who commits the offense of gambling shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Laws 1847, Cobb's 1851 Digest, pp. 819, 820; Ga. L. 1859, p. 59, § 1; Code 1863, § 4425; Ga. L. 1865-66, p. 233, § 2; Code 1868, § 4466; Code 1873, § 4541; Code 1882, § 4541; Penal Code 1895, § 401; Penal Code 1910, § 392; Code 1933, § 26-6404; Code 1933, § 26-2702, enacted by Ga. L. 1968, p. 1249, § 1; Ga. L. 1970, p. 690, § 1.