GAMING HOUSES. 4G1 



The penalty under 33 Hen. 8, c. 9, for using and Penalty for 

 haunting and playing in Graming Houses, was six shil- playmg. 

 lings and eightpence for each time of so doing (s), and 

 such persons when taken might be imprisoned till they 

 gave security to abstain from such practices for the 

 future (/). 



And where any Cards, Dice, Balls, Counters, Tables Evidence of 

 or other Instruments of Gaming used in playing any un- ^^^^^S- 

 lawful game are so found, it is evidence, until the contrary 

 is made to appear, that such house, room or place is used 

 as a common Gaming House, and that the persons so found 

 were there playing ; although no play was actually going 

 on in the presence of such Superintendent or Constable or 

 those accompanying him on his entry. And the Police 

 Magistrate or Justices, before whom any person is taken 

 by virtue of the warrant or order, may direct all such 

 Tables and Instruments of Gaming to be forthwith de- 

 stroyed (u). 



But the difficulty of obtaining such evidence of Gaming Difficulty of 

 was so great, that this portion of the Act proved to be obtaining 

 practically a dead letter ; for all Gaming Houses were 

 found to be provided with the means of secretly making 

 away with the Instruments of Gaming on any alarm being 

 given ; and the penalties inflicted were insufficient to 

 correct the evil. 



Accordingly to remedy these defects in the operation 17 & 18 Vict, 

 of the 8 & 9 Vict. c. 109, and the other Acts for the ^- ^^■ 

 prevention of unlawful Gaming, a supplementary Act was 

 passed in the year 1854, intituled " An Act for the Sup- 

 pression of Gaming Houses" (x), which has been com- 

 pletely successful in accomplishing that object. It recites 

 that " the keepers of common Gaming Houses contrive, 

 by fortifying the entrances to such houses, or by other 

 means, to keep out the officers authorized to enter the 

 same until the Instruments of Gaming have been re- 

 moved or destroyed, so that no sufficient evidence can be 

 obtained to convict the offenders, who are thereby en- 

 couraged to persist in the Violation of the Law ; and " 

 that "it is expedient that the Law shall be made more 

 efficient for the Suppression of Gaming Houses." 



With this object persons may be summarily convicted Persons sum- 



(a) 33 Hen. 8, c. 9, s. 12. See {t) Ibid. s. 14. 



post, p. 462, as to the penalties, {/<) 8 & 9 Vict. c. 109, s. 8. 



which may be adjudged under 17 (') 17 & ISVict. c. 38, Appendix.' 

 k 18 Vict. 0. 38. 



