SHOPKEEPER FINED
GAME OF CHANCE ON PREMISES. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, July 21. A prosecution said to be the first of its kind was heard in the Police Court when a shopkeeper, William Jamieson, pleaded guilty to using his premises as a common gaming house. The police said that a box-like device was installed in the shop and a game known as “wow” was played. The players put a penny in a slot and had to make a score of 3500 before they could receive goods worth 3d. It was a pure game of chance. Counsel said that the game was not a nuisance at common law but under the Betting House section of the Gaming Act accused had been forced to plead guilty. The effect of that section was that any game in which prizes were given was on the premises of a gaming house and, if it were carried to a logical conclusion, the police could prosecute for any tournament in any club in which prizes were given. The Magistrate said that the accused would be treated in the same way as if the game had been played by showmen and fined him £5.
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 22074, 22 July 1933, Page 6
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197SHOPKEEPER FINED Southland Times, Issue 22074, 22 July 1933, Page 6
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