GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 33, 2 November 1907, Page 6

GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL.

SUPPRESSION OF GAMING HOUSES ' BETTING ON RACECOURSES. " " The_ Gaming and, Lotteries Bill,-which hasbeen introduced by tho Premier was-circu-' latcd just after the House rose this morning. A penalty not exceeding £100, or in default three months': imprisonment,.is imposed on any porson owning or keeping any house, room, or place as a common gaming house, taking part in the management of tho same, or advancing-money for-gamblihg purposes at such places. Anyone found hi:a common gaming house, without-lawful; excuse > may be fined £5., Common gaming houses ■' include clubs, : exoept those holding charters under\the Licensing , Act, 1881; and also in- y elude premises kept-for lotteries. All games f of chance are declared unlawful within' the" meaning of the. Gaming.Acts. .; ... ■.., i,; , .,. ■DECLARING' A GAMING HqUSE.;'^ : Power is.given the Supreme Court, t<i.de-"'--dare premises to.be a common gaming house:' The -police on 'such declaration;'being shall advertise the fact' in 'the ," Gazette, , . , .'' and in tho local newspapers',\and; sluill .cau'se.. a notice of the . making: of ■ the 'declaration to t be served •oil;the.owner or occupierj< or..on•* their agent. A notice visible to all '-persons'' entering the premises must- also; bo ; posted > lip." A heavy penalty is made'for the. re^' , nioval of such notice.- Clause 17' deals with , tho expulsion of tho occupier from .tho;-pre-\ mises. ~Tho declaration may bo rescinded,, against..'the promises on ; conditions as . are,\ provided. Any person found'on, or entering, s promises after a declaration has ibeen-made ■ or. is in force shall be liable to arrest, without'!, warrant. -Tho.' fine,in such case is-not'less'; : than £5; and not nioro 'than £100 i ' ..Aii;': owner, of. premises is'also to-'.b6'.ljaWe,,to'la!'j fine who fails to evict _ah.occupier, against r ' whom a declaration has "beenniade., '■'■' ;,,,'•' :.; To obstruct a constaWo'or give ' warn-.-ing of his approach is ail offence , punishable:rby a fine lip. to' £100' or thfdc months' 'ini-Y prisonraent. . ■'''"., - -.. s -• r ;v STREET BETTING. ,- ' ; v.. Any person who ' frequents, iises, _or is in any street for the purposo of betting,'is mado liable to a. fine of not. loss than £20 and not mord than £100 for a first offence, and for any, subsequent offence to: a term of imprisonment .not exceeding three'" months..' Persons betting on sports ground aro liabU' , to a fine of £20. . . ■' ' ' :; ; : ; ■ ■''. RACE MEETINGS.. T' ;. ',[ ,. An officer or a racing club shall not accept telegraphic instructions as to investments on the totalisatpr. and any'person infririg-' , ing this-section shall be liable ,to ;a .fine., of not less than £20 and not more than £50'. I. No telegrams relating to betting ■or invest-. ments on tho totalisator shall be dolivered at. any racecourse. Advertisements as to betting on horse races are prohibited under pain-i of a penalty of £20, but this-section shall:i not apply to any advertisement or notifica-' tion exhibited solely on a'racccourso by any' racing club authorised to use the .totalisator, or to any publication after a race of informs-"! tion hi respect to tho race or the result of' betting in connection therewith... . ■■!.'." The nee of the double totalizator or of the use of the machine,in regard to the.placoTof, moro than one horse in any' ono, race .is. made illegal; an infringciheut of this section .. will carry a fine of not loss than £20 and not-, exceeding ■: .' ■ .-■■■ ■■.: -. No sums for investment on tho totalisator ['■ shall be received; after or within fivo mihutes ! . c of tho notified time of starting of a race, ; and no investments shall be received other-' wise than at tho totalisator itself. 'Any per- _..- son committiiiK an offence this section is liable to a fine not exceeding £100. Racing clubs may, with the approval of tho Governor, make regulations controlling admission to racecourses, and .may exclude therefrom any specified cluss , of .persons, either absolutely or subject to conditions.. A -._ broach of such' regulations is punishable by a fine up to £20, ~..'•■ •, ■..,-. ■ Every racing club which is authorised to use the totalisator shall on application issue licenses to fit and proper persons to carry on business as bookmakers on the club's'! racecourses. The club may charge.a fconot exceeding £20 for every day of tho currency - of such license. ■ . • '•-..