GAMES OF CHANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21773, 12 October 1932, Page 6

GAMES OF CHANCE

MINT-VENDING MACHINES

AN UNEQUIVOCAL FINDING.

(Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 11.

Whether the mint vending or “fruit” machines which have been operated in several tobacconists’ shops in Auckland are games of chance, and whether / the premises in which they are operated may be termed common gaming houses .were questions argued by counsel before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court to-day, when Eric Phillip Goldsboro, aged 31, a tobacconist, was charged that, being the occupier of a shop in Newmarket, he kept the premises ns a common gaming house. The prosecution contended that success in obtaining sweets from the machines was luck and not skill, while the defence contended that skill was necessary. “I am told that so much money is involved in these machines that the matter will be taken to the Supreme Court whatever my decision- will be,” said the magistrate. “Similar cases have been twice before the i courts in New Zealand, and on both occasions the magistrates have considered the machines games of chance. ' I have; heard the evidence and seen the machines, and I have seen' the so-called experts using the machines and I, am satisfied they are games of chance.” The defendant was fined £5 Ids, security for appeal being fixed.