White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-01
SLOT MACHINES LAWFUL SAYS
ATTORNEY GENERAL STODDARO
Is NOT CONTRARY TO PROVISIONS OF ANTI-GAMBLING ACT TO oP-
PERATE NICKLE-INsIoT MACHINES, ACCORDING To NEW IN
PERTURBATION OF LAW, PROVIDING PAYMENT Is MADE IN
CHECKS REDEEMABIE IN MERCHANDISE.

Attorney General Stoddard yester-
day rendered an opinion on the gamb-
ling law which is believed to be the
first step in multiplying all the pro-
visions of the act. says the Carson
News. 1t appears that when the law
went nto effect District Attorney
Tilden of Esmeralda county held tina
slot machines played for drinks or
cigars were not intended to be sup
pressed by the law. The attorney
general also differed with him at the
time, but ii is understood that the
little devices continued to run unin-
terrupted in the southern camps.
Considerable correspondence has
passed between the state and county
officials concerning the matter, the
term device as used in the act be-
ing the question in doubt.
1t was originally held hal the anti
gambling law precluded all games
played for money or othe. represen-
tatives of money. In the case of slot
machines on bars or in cigar stores it
is maintained that money is not used
in playing. However, the whole
question is reopened and it remains
to be seen how far this latest opinion
will carry.
In an interview yesterday after
noon a well known lawyer took issue
with the attorney general. Amog
other things he stated: THE essence
of gambling is the playing of money
or some token of value. If the token
has no value there is no gambling in
the strict sense of the word. Now,
tn nv wnu of fhfnEin0 thnrn ;C NO
splitting of hairs on the question.
Whether a person plays a nickel in a
slot machine or a check, is not es-
sential. | have yet to see a person
who maintains an expensive devise
for the amusement of his patrons.
Again, no matter what machine is
p'ayed, except vending machines, and
they do not enter into the contro-
yersy, is a percentage game. When a
person plays he puts in money or
some sort of check with the expee-
fancy of getting an equal value in re-
turn, or something greater. And at
the same time be knows that there is
every chance of losing the amount
played. In every make of card or
dice machine made these elements
figure. 1t is gambling in every par
ticular and can bear no other name.
In my mind 1t is but an entering
wedge to the reopening of all games
of chance.
Take for example the regulation
slot machines. According to the
strict Interpretation of the opinion
there is nothing to prevent the own
er from placing them before the pub
nc. All hat is necessary is to place
a sign over them stating that they
are not to be played for money or
any other representative of value. But
in order TO play it will be necessary
20 obtain a check to make the
Wheel go round. The machines are
not susceptible TO any kind of bland
ishment in the way of bread tickets
or China money, SO it will be necess-
sary to go to the bartender and OBJ
tain some of the necessary kind. He
may remark that he has none on
hand, but with the right kind of per-
susasion he may relent and furnish
the quantity desired.
"The player drops in the checks
and perhaps loses. To saw himself
from being called a piker he says
nothing But IN cas- he wins he has
the right to say to the owner that
another customer may come in and