EUCHRE AND CAMING ACT

Evening Star, Issue 19802, 28 February 1928, Page 7

EUCHRE AND CAMING ACT

APPEAL TO FULL COURT POSSIBLE

A FAR REACHING DECISION

MIGHT AFFECT ALL SPORTS BODIES.

[Special to the ‘ Stab.*]

CHRISTCHURCH, February 27,

It is probable that the decision of Ml* Justice Adams that euchre tournaments conducted for profit are illegal may bo taken on appeal to the Full Court. The decision is so far reaching in its effect that it is felt that the matter should not bo left where it stands at present. A solicitor expressed the opinion today that the judgment applied to progressive bowling tournaments, which are conducted ou the same principle b-s euchre tournaments. In progressive doubles, which are held by most bowling clubs to raise funds, the leads and skips change after each game, and prizes are awarded to the skip and the lead who gain the most points. Bowling, unlike cards, is purely a game of skill, but the element of chance enters into progressive doubles, owing to the players not knowing whom they will have as partners in each game. In his judgment, Mr Justice Adams laid it down that it was immaterial whether a game was one of skill, or mixed skill and chance, or of pure chance. Under this ruling it is felt that tournament games, other than card games, come within the provisions of the Gaming Act. In fact, the solicitor said he thought that possibly the annual championship tournament of the Dominion Bowling Association may be declared illegal, because it was conducted by the association for purposes of profit, and money prizes were awarded to the winners and runnersnp. Other sports associations also might find themselves similarly affected, remarked the solicitor. A public meeting of euchre and whist players will be held to-morrow, when the whole question will be fully discussed.