ARE EUCHRE TOURNAMENTS LEGAL?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3666, 16 July 1927, Page 3

ARE EUCHRE TOURNAMENTS LEGAL?

WHERE MONEY PRIZES ARE OFFERED.

PROMOTERS PROSECUTED,

Auckland, Last night,

Does the running of a euchre tournament constitute a breach of the Gaming Act, was the question .which confronted dr. McKean, S.M., in the Auckland Police Court to-day when James Pennington and James Lomax pleaded guilty to a charge of keeping the Masonic Hall Devonport, as a common gaming-house. Mr. Schramm, who defended, said that there was a similar charge against a man named Hugo Wentworth now in Australia. Sub-Inspector Lewin said that a summons had not been served or? this man. The holding of the tournament was advertised by leaflets which were distributed on ferry steamers. A charge of two shillings was made for admission and the first prize was £5. It was estimated that- the event resulted in a profit of £2 10s for the promoters. The question was whether euchre was a game of chance and whether the use of the hall for the purpose of play for money prizes constituted a breach of the law. Sergeant Rowell gave evidence in support of the charge. He said that lie took a ticket and played himself. Mr. McKean: “Did you win a prize?” “No, sir.” Inspector Lewin: “What sort of cards did you hold?” “Not too good.” (Laughter). Witness added that the tournament was run fairly and there was no suggestion of collusion between the promoters and those who had won prizes. At two successive tournaments the first prizes were won by ladies. Mr. Schramm said in defence that the scene of the tournaments was not a common gaming-house. Decision was reserved.