The Gambling Law

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20077, 6 April 1935, Page 9

The Gambling Law

x lie vjaiiiuuiis i'll” When is gambling legal? New Zealand has laws governing betting on racing, sweepstakes, lotteries, and competitions, but we know of no legislation that is more generally disregarded by all classes of the community, for the law is very illogical and does not command the respect at the people. Gambling is legalised under certain conditions in New Zealand, but a ban is placed upon it in cases outside of the defined circle. The Minister of Internal Affairs is empowered to give or refuse permission to conduct a lottery. If he consents the gamble is legal; if he refuses, it is illegal. He may have two exactly similar applications before him and may grant one and refuse the other. The possession of a ticket in an illegal lottery may bring a citizen before the Magistrate, as a case at Onehunga showed. The law seems to be in need of an overhaul and should be made clearer, for if the Onehunga cases are reasonable there must be thousands of people in the Dominion equally offenders against the law, probably including law makers and people who are connected with its administration.— “Wanganui Herald.”