GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 28 September 1881, Page 2

GAMING AND LOTTERIES BILL.

As finally passed, the Gaming and Lotteries Bill is not a very formidable measure, even to tbe most inveterate of gamblers. It will not interfere, to any appreciable extent, witb horse-racing or its accompanyments of sweeps, betting, et hoc. The • professional ' bookmaker is left just as he was, and he may bowl himself hoarse on tbe race-course with* out any risk of interference by the police. 'Sweeps,' or 'consultations' as they are sometimes called, are certainly declared illegal, but the provisions of the Act can be avoided witb perfeot ease and simplicity. The clause relative to advertising these lotteries was struck out before the bill passed, and they will be advertised just tbe same as ever. It is true that a ' sweep ' cannot be legally drawn in tbe colony, but tbat is now the law in Victoria and in Auckland, If the police endeaveur to enforce tbe Act with absolute strictness the promoters will merely have to hire a boat and go three miles from the shore, when they are beyond the operation of the laws of the oolony, and there they can draw sweeps at leisure. This is tbe way the law is eraded in Victoria. It is even questions able whether three card trick {-windier, and the other rogues who generally ply their trade on the racecourse which is

r 5 ', not a public reserve is not a « pablic place' in the eyes of th * h-.r, and tie Gaming and Lotteries Bill only applies to gambling in publics places. All th. t the A.ct can be SHt'd to accomplish is (1) the restriction of gambling in public places ; .2) the abolition of professed gaminghouses ; and (tf) the consolidation of thu existing law. or rither, the displacement of a di'scn provincial oHinanr.es by one c-iomal Act of Parliament. For this sonl! result did the House talkso long and so virtuously. — Hawke's Bay Herald.