Avoidance of contracts

All contracts or agreements, whether verbal or in writing, by way of gaming or wagering, shall be void, and no suit shall be brought or maintained in any court of law for recovering any sum of money or valuable thing alleged to be won upon any wager, or which has been deposited in the hands of any person to abide the event on which any wager has been made, Provided that nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to any subscription, or contribution, or agreement to subscribe or contribute, for or towards any plate, prize or sum of money to be awarded to the winner of any lawful game, sport, pastime or exercise. 9