ILLEGAL GAMING

Grey River Argus, 3 August 1940, Page 10

ILLEGAL GAMING

“Jack Pot’’ Machine Confiscated

CHRISTCHURCH, August 2.

An order for the confiscation of a gambling device known as a “jackpot machine” was made in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday by Mr E. C. Levvey S.M., and a fine of £2 was imposed on the owner of the machine, Gilbert White, who was charged with using his premises as a common gam-ing-house. Detective-Sergeant J. McClung- said that detectives had visited the accused’s billiards room, Tattersall’s billiards room, in Cashel Street. They found men standing round a bench at fhe machine, which was operated by inserting threepenny pieces in a slot. The machine contained revolving drums, which bore playing-card symbols. If a player scored a number of aces, he collected the “jack-pot.” It was undoubtedly a game of chance, as no skill could be used in operating the machine.

The police were not pressing for a heavy fine, said Mr McClung, as the machine had cost about £6O and they were going to ask for an order to confiscate it. Nothing else was known against the accused, but such practices had to be stopped. Mr H. S. J'. Goodman, for the accused, said that White was a young man in a delicate state of health. The object of the machine was primarily to attract customers to the billiards room. “I think the player gets a fair return for his money,” said Mr Goodman.

“If he is lucky,” remarked the Magistrate. “I think the bank winns in the end.”

Mr Goodman said the accused had paid £75 for the machine, having been told that its use would be permitted m New Zealand. Perhaps the police might hold the machine to give the accused an opportunity of disposing nf it in some country place where it would be allowed. “You mean, some country—or some country place?” asked the Magistrate, smiling. Mr McClung said the police had held such machines for 12 months and had been unable to dispose of them.