BOOKMAKERS FINED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20784, 20 April 1939, Page 8

BOOKMAKERS FINED

PENALTY OF £IOO HAMILTON OPERATIONS ANOTHER MAN FINED £SO "Were It not for the patronage of the publlo, businesses such as bookmaking would not exist. People may not be aware that they are liable to very severe penalties for betting with bookmakers or persons who keep common gaming houses.” So commented Detective A. J. White in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, to-day when two Hamilton men were convicted under the Gaming Act for 'using premises they occupied as common gaming houses. Steve Dominickovich (47). describing himself as a oontractor (Mr W. J. King), was convicted by Mr S. L. Paterson S.M., and fined £IOO. Lambert Russell (32), who was described as a commercial traveller (Mr A. G. Ward), was fined £SO. In prosecuting Dominickovich. Detective White said with Detective Hayes he raided an office in Everybody’s Buildings just after 10 a.m. last Saturday, j n execution of a warrant issued under the Gaming Act. £63 In Bets “Dominickovich had a betting establishment with two telephones and all the paraphenalia necessary for betting on horse racing,” said Detective White in explaining that current betting on the first day of the Avondale meeting showed that Dominickovich had laid 72 doubles of a value of j £33 17s 6d. In addition ten straight bets had been laid bringing in £3O. “He has a well established business which Is fairly extensive,” said the detective. “He has been very straight in his betting transactions, but it is an unlawful business and he is well aware of that fact.” ‘ln relating the previous convictions, the witness said Dominickovich had been fined £SO in August, 1934, for bookmaking: £75 for bookmaking in January, 1936, and £IOO for bookmaking in June of the same year. Last year he was convicted for trespassing on a racecourse, but he had not previously been before the court on a charge of running a common gaming house. The detective said Dominickovich had been operating as a bookmaker for at least 11 years to his knowledge. "Honour In Dishonour” "If It fe possible to display honour in an occupation deemed by the legislation to be dishonest, then Dominickovich has done it,” said Mr W. J. King. “He has always paid.” In relation to t*he charge against Russell, Detective White said he raided the accused’s office in King's Buildings in company with Constable Henry, and found that the office was set up as a betting establishment, with two telephones and betting n aterial. The raid was conducted on Monday, the second day of the Avondale meeting, and records up to 2.30 p.m. showed that Russell had taken 47 bets to the value of £37 5s and 32 doubles.

Russell had been operating in Hamilton for two or three months only. In 1937 he was fined £SO for a similar offence with which he was charged to-day, the conviction being in Auckland.

Mr A. G. Ward said Russell had ceased operating in 1937 and had not commenced again until coming to Hamilton. He was a married man and his business was not extensive.

“Two telephones does not look like a small business,” commented Mr Paterson.