THE “ROLL DOWN” GAME.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1926, Page 20

THE “ROLL DOWN” GAME.

KEEPING OF PREMISES ILLEGAL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, June 10. Giving judgment in the roll down ease against Bishop and Dawson, Mr. Page, S.M., said the tests conducted showed an element of skill, and he held that it was not a game of chance within the meaning of the Gaming Act. It was difficult to lay down a rule as to what degree of playing and wagering at a legitimate game would cause the promises to become a public nuisance. The game had attained some degree of popularity; there was no opportunity for cheating, no assemblage ofi bad characters, and no nuisance or annoyance to adjoining premises, but the game had no intrinsic merits. Its vogue was based solely upon the gamble associated with it. In view of the facts that a large number of devotees were children and young people, also that among the adults probably a number eould not well afford the money wasted, also that the amount of play reached substantial dimensions, and the game was a gamble, he thought it prejudicial to the morals of the participants and held the keeping of the premises illegal. Defendants were convicted and the fine fixed at £5 Is to enable an appeal, security for which was fixed at £l5 15s.